Photos kindly sent in by John Robertson

Gala Rovers 1 v Carluke Hearts 0

It may have been almost half a century since they last lifted the trophy.

And many at the club would argue none of them were around then; but, going by their reactions, it was worth the wait.

Gala Rovers edged out Carluke Hearts, 1-0, in a tense South Cup final at Innerleithen’s Victoria Park on Saturday, to lift the prize which had eluded them for 44 years.

Forward Craig Pinnons grabbed the only goal of the game for the Borders side midway through the second half with a cheeky lob over the Lanarkshire side’s keeper.

It followed a moment of genius by 16-year-old man-of-the-match Kyle Collins, who was cheered on by his uncle - former Scotland star John Collins - from the sidelines.

Emotions erupted at the final whistle as the Rovers supporters invaded the pitch and substitute Brian Aitchison burst open the champagne to begin the celebrations.

After being presented with the trophy, proud Gala captain Steven Noble kissed the cup and revealed winning the silverware was the best day of his life.

Rovers co-manager Bruce Noble, who along with co-manager Keith Bell jumped for joy in the dug out before running on to the pitch with their arms held aloft to join the party, told the Border Telegraph: “This was a tremendous result.

“This is the trophy that the Rovers have desperately wanted for a long time now.

“We came close to winning it last year but today was the icing on the cake.

“I’m delighted for the players, many of them are only young laddies. It was a pretty even game but we edged it overall.”

He added: “We’ve probably played better but we’ll take the win.”

It had been a long road to the final with victories over Gordon, Duns, Maxwelltown, Lochmaben, and Monteith in a memorable semi-final shoot-out along the way.

Pre-tournament favourites Carluke Hearts, however, had the first chance to take the lead after captain John Docherty swung a free-kick into the penalty area, which was flicked on at the near post by Ian Prentice and Stephen Duffy – who was sporting a pair of red boots – shot from point blank range.

But Rovers keeper Steven King showed great reactions to knock the ball behind.

At the other end of the park, Rovers striker Dougie Bond was looking lively in front of goal and was unlucky to see his 25-yard drive deflected wide by defender Gregor Moffat’s outstretched leg.

But the Lanarkshire side came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time when first King was called back into action to deny Duffy and then Gala defender Steven Noble was beaten for pace by Carluke frontman, Derek Murdoch, who sent an angled shot inches wide across the face of goal.

The game struggled to get going after the restart as the referee, who brandished a series of yellow cards, stopped play for a number of rash challenges as the match intensified.

However, Rovers eventually took the lead in the 67th minute.

Collins broke out of defence with the ball at his feet before looking up and spotting the run of Pinnons down the right.

He played an inch-perfect pass in front of the forward who, in turn, beat his marker to lob the ball over Ian Speirs, between the sticks, to net at the back post.

Pinnons said: “I just knew the keeper was going to come off his line. He did it in the first half but my first touch let me down. It was priceless.”

Gala substitute Mike Mair had the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt just minutes after coming on but he blasted over from 12 yards.

Nevertheless, Hearts failed to force the game to extra time despite a nervy final few minutes and Rovers went on to lift the cup.

After being presented with their medals and posing for the team photograph, captain Steven Noble said: “This is the best feeling I’ve ever had. It’s the best day of my life.

“It was a tough game. They were a strong team and they were up for it but I felt we deserved to win.

“I’m proud of every one of the players, they game it everything and we’re going to enjoy this moment.”

Rovers winning side was as follows: King, Nicol, Ramage, S Noble, Wilson, Mackay (Middlemiss 82), Pinnons, Hardie (Mair 69), Sutherland, Collins, Bond (B Noble 62). Unused subs: Gibson, Aitchison. Booked: Ramage, Wilson, Mair