The victory was the first time in over 50 years that the Siarachs had got their hands on the trophy, and the last time they appeared in the final of the competition, they went down 2-0 to the Lochies, in 1959.

In perfect conditions for football, it was Lochs who had the better of the possession as the match started, despite being without their talismanic striker Don 'Lava' Macleod, who was absent due to best man duties at a friend's wedding.

West Side fielded a full strength starting 11, with Scott Maciver, Scott Macrury, Liam Coleman, Ross Macrae, Kenny Macleod, and Derek Smith all appearing.

With the solid pairing of Ally Mackenzie and Calum Tom Moody at the Lochs rear, West Side struggled to find their rhythm, but soon settled into a passing game.

However, the first half provided no clear cut chances in front of goal, with both sides lacking the telling final ball.

One interesting feature of Lochs' attacking was their tactics during corner kicks, of which they win a flurry in the final ten minutes of the half, sending all onfield players into the West Side box.

Veteran goalkeeper Derek Smith defied the years to thwart all Lochie efforts, and with five minutes remaining in the half, a West Side counter attack saw good link play between Kenny Macleod and DJ Macleod.

Scott Maciver picked up from DJ Macleod's pass, and his typical bullish run ended when he drove a mis-hit shot low to David Black's right, but the ball finished in the net, and the West were ahead.

Settled by their one-goal advantage, West Side started the second half as Lochs had the first, and quickly took total control of the game.

On the hour mark, skipper Dan Macphail, playing in a left wing-back position, did well to win possession, releasing Scott Maciver wide on the left.

Maciver raced into the box, and with David Black advancing, the big striker selflessly squared for DJ Macleod, who slotted into an empty net from eight yards.

Two goals to the good, West Side should have finished the tie, but Kenny Macleod wasted a glorious chance after wonderful play from Macphail and Maciver left him with a clear opportunity just six yards out.

However, he rushed his shot, and the ball flew over the bar.

As is so often the case, this miss was rued on 71 minutes, when Peter Mackenzie, having a fine match for Lochs, burst forward and won a corner.

From the resultant set-piece, West Side failed to clear, and Danny Mackenzie flung his head at the ball, which landed beyond Smith and in the net.

The touchpaper was now lit, and Lochs threw everything at West Side, even pushing Calum Tom Moody into a centre forward position, in an effort to bully their way to an equaliser.

But as they pressed, West Side once more countered, and finally killed the tie.

A free-kick on the left was fizzed into the Lochs box with pin-point precision by Robert Shirkie, and as Scott Maciver and Ally Mackenzie went for the ball, it was unclear who got the last touch, but it ended high in Black's corner.

The Siarachs were buzzing now, and as Lochs heads went down, it could have been 4-1, when Scott Macrury skied a great chance with just minutes remaining.

The final was a very well-mannered affair, resulting in little for referee Angus Morrison to do.

The midfield combination of Colin George Morrison, Kenny Macleod and Robert Shirkie, did magnificently well to stifle the undoubted talent of David Macmillan and Peter Mackenzie.

And while Macmillan was by his own admission quiet in the final, Mackenzie and Calum Tom Moody were the stand -out players for Lochs.

Scott Maciver was awarded the sponsor's man of the match award, while West Side's Dan Macphail lifted the Eilean an Fhraoich cup, sparking celebrations in Barvas that have probably only just subsided.

RESULTS
Eilean Fhraoich Cup Final
Lochs 1
West Side 3

League
Harris v Point (postponed)
United v Carloway (postponed)
Harris v Ness (postponed)
Back v Athletic (postponed)
Point v Lochs (postponed)

Over 35's League
Broadbay 8
Taobh Siar 1

FIXTURES
Friday 15 August
League
Saturday 16 August
Co-op Cup Final
Lochs v Ness (at Goathill Park - kick off 6.30pm)

Monday 18 August
Moldova Lewis Cup - Semi Final
Ness v Athletic

Wednesday 20 August
Moldova Lewis Cup - Semi Final
Lochs v Back

League
Harris v Ness

All kick offs are 7.00pm unless otherwise stated.