However after a great result in the semi-finals, Southend came crashing back down to earth as North Uist ran out 4-1 winners on the day, a score line which implies a comfortable win for the North Uist side.
North Uist started the match on the front foot and put the irregular 3-5-2 formation of Southend under pressure. The giant figure of Donnie MacLean was first to threaten for North Uist with a glancing header which went just wide of goal and on 7 mins Ewen MacDonald tested Neil MacPhee with an effort on target but the Southend keeper saved comfortably. It took Southend 10 mins to register an effort on goal which came from a curled free kick, taken by Duncan Allan Steele but this flashed past the keeper's right hand post. Both teams looked to dominate the midfield area but it was proving to be an evenly contested area with neither team able to put any real passages of play together. Gordon Gregory did break free from midfield for North Uist but his shot was deflected over from the edge of the box on 15 mins.
North Uist created two further chances through Donnie MacLean and a Harry Luney header before Southend took the lead on 35 mins. Shonnie Steele started the move deep in his own half and linked up with Danny Steele on the right before playing Roddy Campbell through on goal. A neat bit of skill by the striker allowed space for the shot but this deflected to strike partner Andrew MacIsaac. He showed great composure to cut the ball back to Danny Steele and as his left foot shot was only parried out, Shonnie Steele was on hand to toe-poke the ball home. The remaining ten minutes of the half belonged to Southend with North Uist failing to create any chances. Bookings for Donald MacIlwraith and Gordon Gregory pointed towards frustration in the North Uist team but they held out for half time without conceding a second.
Southend kicked off the second half and had three opportunities in six minutes to increase the lead. Shonnie Steele had a chance to grab his second of the match after a mistake by the North Uist defence but Colin Nicholson was swiftly of his line to block Steele's effort and keep his team in the match. Duncan Allan Steele came close with a couple of long range efforts but having failed to take their chances the inevitable happened ten minutes later. North Uist equalised in the 56th minute courtesy of a penalty from Doey MacCorquodale. This incident was a major turning point in the match as North Uist had had the ball in the net prior to the penalty only for Ruairidh Steele to handle. The referee chose to instantaneously blow his whistle and point to the spot when he could have given the goal and kept 22 players on the pitch but as he pointed to the spot there was only one option which was to show the Southend defender a red card. Despite pleas from the player and some intervention form the linesman who indicated that Steele's hand may have been behind the line, the decision had been made. The harsh reality for Southend was that North Uist were level and Southend had to play the remaining thirty five minutes with ten men.
In this situation you want to hold out and not concede too quickly but four minutes later and North Uist were in front through centre back Harry Luney who side footed into the bottom corner of the net from inside the box for a fine finish. Despite going down to ten men Southend were determined not to give up and for the next twenty minutes had the upper hand. They created half chances through Roddy Campbell, Duncan Allan Steele and Ruairidh 'Alac' before Shonnie Steele looked to have grabbed the equaliser on 77 mins. A cross from the right evaded Steele's marker and he sent his header off the underside of the bar and downwards but the linesman, who was behind play, failed to assist the referee by giving no indication and play continued much to the exasperation of Southend players and supporters.
This was a further blow to Southend who had played extremely well and looked to be on top even with ten men. The stuffing was completely knocked out of Southend a minute later as they conceded a third. North Uist sent a hopeful ball up the park but a misunderstanding between Norman John MacIsaac and Duncan Allan Steele left striker Ewen MacDonald with ample time to drive in on goal and with only Neil MacPhee to beat he coolly slotted home. Southend players would have been happy for the final whistle to sound at this stage but with ten minutes left they were to face more agony. On 90 mins, 'Chin' MacDonald slotted a suspiciously offside fourth for North Uist and then Norman John MacIsaac was sent off for Southend for an aggravated foul on Gordon Gregory which earned him a second yellow.
The final whistle brought some unpleasant scenes as a minority of players carried on their differences but it was North Uist who were presented with the cup and will be pleased to triumph in the first silverware of the season. Southend in all fairness applauded the victory but can't help feeling aggrieved at some of the decisions which proved to be major turning points in the match. The focus now must be on retaining the league and mounting a challenge for the Billy McNeill Cup later in the season.
Christine Lindsay MacQuarrie