Camelon Juniors’ historic campaign continued last weekend in style as Tam Scobbie’s side clinched the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup for the first time.

The Mariners – who have already broken records this term by reaching the fourth round of the Scottish Cup – are also on the brink of promotion to the new Lowland League East and are still in with a shout of winning the East of Scotland Premier Division title.

And they made sure on Sunday that they have silverware to show for what has been an incredible season so far by beating ex-SPFL club Bonnyrigg Rose on penalties in the qualifying cup final at Armadale’s Volunteer Park.

David Ferguson’s bullet header in stoppage time took the game to spot-kicks after Josh Laing opened the scoring for the favourites with fifteen minutes remaining. In the shootout, goalkeeper Dean Shaw was the hero for Camelon – saving Mackenzie Scott’s effort to win the cup.

Camelon Juniors captain Jason Walton holds the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup trophy aloft after the penalty shootout win over Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend (Pics by Stephen MacGowan)

placeholder image — Camelon Juniors captain Jason Walton holds the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup trophy aloft after the penalty shootout win over Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend (Pics by Stephen MacGowan)

Tam Scobbie proud of Camelon’s cup win

Delighted boss Scobbie said: “I felt that it was a deserved result for us to be honest. We were really good. We stopped Bonnyrigg playing and countered on them well throughout.

"It was one of those games, their goalkeeper was having a brilliant match. He made two or three cracking saves, and to be fair, we missed a couple of big chances too.

"We found ourselves 1-0 with ten minutes to go and it becomes difficult at that point. We rolled the dice, changed the formation a few times and made substitutions too.

Stopper Dean Shaw celebrates after saving Mackenzie Scott’s penalty (Pics by Stephen MacGowan)

"Thankfully, Fergy popped up in the 90th minute to get us to penalties and from that point onwards it is the luck of the draw really. I spoke to boys beforehand and just said to put everything into where you want to put it – and not to change your mind.

"Shawsy has made a great save to win it for us. The luck bit comes in it too with Billy (King) hitting the bar for Bonnyrigg’s first penalty. I am just buzzing for all of the boys.”

The boss also hailed the players’ mentality having shone this season against top quality opposition.

"On the big ocassions, against teams that are bigger than us and probably the favourites, we have did really well this season,” Scobbie added.

"We’ve competed in all of those matches and won most of them. I asked for that bit extra today and I got it. We played some great stuff against a team who pose a real threat and just ran out of steam in the Lowland League.”

Camelon suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation threatened Sauchie Juniors in the Premier Division on Wednesday night. The second-placed Mariners now take on leaders Hill of Beath this Saturday away from home.

Elsewhere, Dunipace’s promotion hopes were dented after they lost 3-2 away to Haddington Athletic last weekend despite holding a two-goal lead in East Lothian. Danny Smith’s will be looking to bounce back this Saturday against Whitburn at DCL Westfield.

Willie Irvine’s Bo’ness Athletic caused a shock last weekend when they best leaders Hill of Beath 2-0 at home. The Newtown Park side – who are folding at the end of the campaign – play their last ever away fixture this Saturday when they travel to St Andrews United.