21/05/2026
Match Report
Kirrie Sundays welcomed Anchor Athletic FC in a thrilling game for the neutral where stakes were ever so high for a spot in the finals of the Andreous Travel Cup.
Before we begin, everyone at Kirrie Thistle are very saddened to learn that fellow player Louis Starkey’s father sadly passed away last weekend. We are all here for you and our love and thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time. 💙
The opening minutes of the game instantly exposed the nerves of the home side. A very shaky start but soon to level into the game. A free kick floated from the right saw the ball bounce and was met by the oncoming Anchor player and the away side took the lead. 0-1.
Instantly, Kirrie replied with two goals back to back. Some lovely passing between the two strikers reached the box and Mitchell fired home the equaliser. Moments later midfielder Starkey played a pinpoint pass over to striker Jordan Smith who once again found Mitchell to flick the switch. 2-1.
Half Time arrived and the lads took a quick break to set out and finish what they started, only in hindsight it was truly the beginning of a very gruelling battle.
Kirrie started the half very well and grabbed a third goal, a wonderful touch and finish from Starkey outside the box looked to set sail the home side closer to the final. The “magic” of a cup game however was just over the horizon.
A 50/50 challenge with the keeper saw Top Goalscorer Mitchell receive his marching orders from the referee after deeming the contact dangerous. The lads were down to ten and at times it felt like they were up against twelve.
This spurred the Anchor team and their noisy support on. With their tails up, they truly applied the pressure and seen themselves miraculously utilise the extra men to score the goals needed to bring the scores level. The first an initial save from Milligan with an “onside” attacker scoring the rebound, followed up by a mixup in defensive duties seen the opposing Captain touch down and finish. 3-3.
The last 20 minutes of the game really showed Kirrie’s resilience and true character in proving that everything they have worked for this season has paid off when it really matters most.
A deep free kick beautifully into the away sides box and was met by other substitute Lewis Adam with a well timed header into the back post and into the net. 4-3.
A local Kirrie legend in Shaun York has shown time and time again that whenever he is called upon, he will always deliver. When everyone is tired and their legs are gone, the 41 year old veteran runs right through the middle chasing the ball and dribbles towards the goal and chips it past the diving keeper and into the goal. 5-3.
The referee blew the final whistle and the fortress that is Martin Park, erupted in joy. Maybe Anchor scored another, oh well either way it’s all for the love of the game really. We’re in two cup finals in our debut season and that itself is something to be immensely proud of.
MTFK💙
