Goldenacre in Edinburgh will be the setting for the CS Men’s Scottish Cup final on Sunday as Ayr from the Western Premier League take on Forfarshire from the Eastern Premier League.
Ayr have won the Cup once before in their history. That came in 1999 when they defeated West of Scotland at Hamilton Crescent in the final.
It is a day fondly remembered by many at New Cambusdoon, but the current team want to create new memories at Heriot’s ground on Sunday.
The Ayr skipper Andi McElnea sad: “Our league form this summer has been a bit patchy, but in the Cup we have been very good. In the knock-out format you only have one chance to progress and while I can’t quite put my finger on why we have enjoyed that format, it is brilliant for the guys to have made it to the final.
“We have got two coaches of supporters heading down to Edinburgh to watch us playing on Sunday so there will be over 100 Ayr fans there and that is great.
“As a playing group we just have to focus on the job in hand and not get too carried away by the occasion. We don’t get to play the Eastern Premier League sides often these days, but we know that Forfarshire are a good team.
“On the other hand, we know that we have players in our ranks who have quality and can be matchwinners on the day. We just have to play as a team and, if we do that, we have a good chance of getting the desired result.”
Players to watch for Ayr include batter Michael English and Scotland spinner Hamza Tahir while international duo Craig Wallace and Michael Leask are often to the fore for Forfarshire.
Forfarshire have won the Cup twice before – in 1968 and 1994 – and the Broughty Ferry outfit will have plenty of support heading to the capital to cheer them on too.
“We are always well supported as Forfarshire is a real community club and that makes us as players really keen to play well and take the Cup back to Forthill,” skipper Scott Cameron said.
“The T20 national Cup win last Sunday was really good and gives us a bit of confidence going into this game, but we know this is a completely different format and we have reset this week and are now fully focused on Sunday.
“We know that Ayr are a good side, but we will just focus on ourselves and if individually and as a team we can play to our potential then we will give ourselves a chance.”
