By John Walsh

Last updated 14:40, Monday, 21 July 2008

STRANRAER lifted the Scottish Brewers Challenge Cup for the second time when they defeated Annan Athletic 3-0 in the final on Sunday.

Annan proceeded to the final after beating Workington Reds on penalties after the teams were deadlocked at 2-2 after normal time in the sides' first game in the four-team tournament.

Annan got off to a flier when they went ahead in the second minute from a Mike Jack penalty after James Earl had handled Stuart Hill’s cross.

Workington however started to dictate the play and it came as no surprise when the Blue Square Northern Conference side equalised in the 30th minute when Lee Anderson’s throw in bounced invitingly for Anthony Wright whose well directed header from six yards found the corner of the net.

Annan had a let off in the 40th minute when Lee Andrews shot cannoned off the cross bar.

Workington edged in front from the penalty spot in the 50th minute when Mike Reid converted the spot kick after Steven Rudd was fouled. Annan responded to the challenge by taking the game to Workington and in the 63rd minute Darren Johnstone’s well directed header from a Steven Archibald cross found the corner of the net to square the match at 2-2.

Adam Collin then pulled off an excellent save to deny a net-bound Ian Grainger shot. The teams were still deadlocked after five penalty kicks at 3-3 but in the sudden death shoot out Tony Hopper’s spot kick was saved by Craig Summersgill and Ian Grainger slotted home to ensure Annan a place in the final for only the second time in the nine-year history of the cup.

In the second match Stranraer scored twice in the second half without reply to beat Spartans to earn their place in the final.

The first half was fairly even and the first real effort came in the 17th minute when Ross Campbell’s header flashed past the post. Chris Flockhart then pulled off saves to deny John Kane and Steven McConalogue. Spartans squandered a great opportunity to go ahead in the 40th minute when Keith McCleod and Nicky Walker combined to set up Omar Kader but fortunately for Stranraer the shot sailed over the bar.

The second half saw the Stair Park side gradually take control and after some indecision in the Spartans defence Michael Mullan scored from an acute angle in the 60th minute.

Craig Frizzel was then denied by a full length Duncan Flockhart save but in the 80th minute Frizzel sealed the match with an unstoppable shot from 12 yards after Danny O’Donnel was dispossessed under pressure form the same player.

Workington defeated Spartans 3-0 in Sunday’s consolation final. Graham Anthony scored the goal of the tournament in the 18th minute when he showed good vision with a shot from fully 20 yards which looped over Craig Flockhart in the Spartans goal.

Lee Andrews doubled Reds lead in the 60th minute after Duncan Flockhart fumbled a fairly routine shot. Dan Robison sealed a good victory when he timed his run to perfection to latch on to a ball which caught the Spartans central defenders square and Robison finished clinically with a lob over the head of the advancing Duncan Flockhart .

In the final Annan worked hard to contain Stranraer but the hosts were dealt a blow in the 37th minute when following a free kick for Annan, Stranraer broke with a ball over the top of the Annan defence and Martin McBride finished with a low shot past Craig Summersgill.

It was the only goal of the half but in the 65th minute the match took another twist when a rash challenge by Peter Watson on Danny Mitchell saw Stranraer awarded a penalty and Andrew Gibson converted the spot kick.

Craig Frizzel put the match beyond doubt in the 80th minute when he finished with a clinical left foot shot from 10 yards to make the final score 3-0.

The victorious Stranraer team were presented with the Scottish Brewers Challenge Cup by Stewart Atkinson Group Manager of Community Services , Dumfries and Galloway Council. The player of the tournament was awarded to Stranraer’s Danny Mitchell.