By Charlie Allan

A stunning strike from Magnus Watson ensured we crowned our first season at Highland League level by lifting the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup in a tensely contested final against Locos at Fraserburgh’s Bellslea Park.

The decisive goal was one worthy of winning any game, never mind the biggest so far in Dee’s history.

It came at the end of a move involving two of our most recent signings, defender Jevan Anderson - who was making his Dee debut - and Chris Antoniazzi … who came off the bench to split the Locos defence open with a quality pass the great Lionel Messi would be proud of.

It’s historic because we have become only the second club to go all the way in the League Cup at the first attempt - since Forres Mechanics lifted the trophy in the competition’s inaugural season, way back in 1946.

It’s a remarkable achievement and one that helps ease the pain felt over the much publicised way our hopes of also competing for the Highland League title ended.

Watson’s wonder goal, early in the second half, was a moment of shear quality in game that was never a classic.

We then had to show real determination and character - and depend on two cracking saves by veteran keeper Andy Shearer - to hold off a late Locos onslaught to get our hands on the silverware.

The boys certainly did what was needed to spark amazing scenes as the Dee players, coaching team, backroom staff and fans celebrated coming out on top in the most prestigious cup competition at Highland League level.

It also means we have now completed the clean sweep of the Highland cups we are eligible to enter, having previously claimed the Aberdeenshire Cup and Aberdeenshire Shield, when we were still in the Juniors.

Huge credit must go to co-managers Josh Winton and Paul Lawson for ensuring we can head into the summer optimistic about what lies ahead for Dee in future seasons.

Having failed to get the better of Locos in our two league meetings, there was huge pressure on our lads, but they handled that to come away with a result they deserved.

The first half made particularly grim viewing, although we did create the better of the few chances there were.

Dee skipper Kane Winton saw a powerful 16-yard volley held by Locos keeper Andy Reid after just three minutes.

Mark Gilmour then crossed from the right to Neil Gauld, but his header at the edge of the six yard box was blocked by Jamie Michie.

It was the 17th minute before Locos ventured forward with any real purpose, in a move that ended with Robert Ward lashing a shot from the edge of the area well off target.

Dee were forced to make a change in the 33rd minute, when a back injury meant Lachie Macleod went off to be replaced by former Aberdeen forward Antoniazzi, who would make the best of the opportunity presented to him.

He began with a fine cross from wide on the left to Gauld, but his close range header lacked power and was gathered by keeper Reid.

The half ended with Antoniazzi popping up on the right to curl in another magnificent cross that the inrushing Anderson was just inches away from connecting with at the far post.

We started the second half strongly too, with Watson unlucky to see his powerful 18-yard shot deflected wide for a corner in the 47th minute.

Our persistence was rewarded when we took the lead in the 52nd minute … and what a goal in was!

Anderson started things off by winning the ball in the left-back position then playing it inside to Antoniazzi, who was just beyond the half-way line.

He then showed tremendous vision to thread a pass in behind Locos full-back Logan Johnstone to WATSON, who advanced to the edge of the box then gave Reid no chance with a thundering shot that rocketed across the face of the Locos’ goal into the top corner.

The expected reaction from Locos began on the hour, when Shearer was called into action for the first time when he dived to hold dangerous cross from Johnstone at the front of our six yard box.

Shearer then showed his class in the 64th minute when he saved a powerful 20-yard free-kick from Calum Dingwall and also stopped Nathan Meres’ effort from the rebound.

Within a minute, we were just inches away from making it 2-0, when Gauld’s lay-off was fired just wide by Watson.

Shearer was the Dee hero again in the 66th minute, when he made a brilliant diving save to prevent a 22-yard drive from Dingwall finding the net.

There was no real drama after that thanks to some outstanding Dee defending - from skipper Winton, Anderson, Darryn Kelly, Ally Stark and Kacper Lewecki in particular - as we saw the game out to ensure the cup came home to Spain Park.

BANKS O’ DEE: Shearer, Stark, Lewecki, Kelly (Armstrong 80), Anderson, Winton, Watson (Henderson 75), Gilmour, Gauld, L Macleod (Antoniazzi 33), Philipson.
Subs: Alexander, Davidson, Wallace, Salmon.

INVERURIE LOCOS: Reid, Mitchell, Dingwall, Souter, Johnstone (L Robertson 72), Ward, S Robertson, Burnett (Halliday 87), Wilson, Michie, Meres.
Subs: Buchan, Reid, Smith, Gill, Shingler.

Referee: Duncan Nicholson.