Jay Jay Hutchison’s double helped Dryburgh Athletic overcome a dogged Arbroath Lads and lift the Marshall Cup.

Hutchison’s first half goal and Bobby Shirkey’s close-range effort looked to have put Dryburgh in control until Kyle Fraser and Ryan Paterson fired Arbroath level, but Hutchison ensured it would be Dryburgh’s day with a composed finish late on.

Dryburgh came into the final boasting a 100% record in the J Clenaghan League and when Jay Jay Hutchison converted Bobby Shirkey’s ball it looked like they had made the dream start to the final, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Arbroath were defending well in the opening stages and saw an attack of their own end with Kaden Leadbetter keeping out Ethan Johnston’s effort.

Hutchison and Shirkey were causing Arbroath issues in the wide areas, with the latter inches away from converting a Hutchison cross to open the scoring.

Dryburgh were seeing the lion’s share of possession but failing to ask any serious questions of Josh Cargill in the Arbroath goal. A series of crosses into the Arbroath box were easily dealt with by the Angus side’s defence.

With half time approaching, Dryburgh did break the deadlock through Hutchison. Shirkey provided the cross from the right that made its way through to Hutchison eight yards from goal, who composed himself and slotted the ball past the helpless Cargill to give Dryburgh the lead.

Arbroath started the second half on the front foot, with Kyle Fraser twice going close in the early stages of the half.

Hutchison latched onto a long ball before firing wide of the mark, but forced a save out of Cargill with his next effort. It was a good stop from the Arbroath keeper, but Shirkey was on hand to knock in Dryburgh’s second.

From kick off, Arbroath sent the ball to Johnston, who picked out Fraser with a cross, and he hooked the ball past Leadbetter to keep Arbroath’s cup dream alive.

Arbroath were revitalised by the goal and saw Kieran Moore fire the ball over after Jamie Mather’s cross ricocheted his way.

When Fraser was bundled over 25 yards from goal it presented Ryan Paterson the opportunity to draw Arbroath level. The Arbroath skipper duly obliged as he fired the free kick over Leadbetter to level the score.

Jay Cochrane tested Cargill with an effort from inside the box as Dryburgh looked to retake the lead before Ryan Paterson curled a free kick from a tight angle over the bar as Arbroath looked to complete the turnaround.

With eight minutes remaining the Shirkey and Hutchison partnership proved fruitful for Dryburgh again as they retook the lead. Shirkey swung in a free kick from the left which was cleared as far as Joshua Livingston, whose shot was gathered by Hutchison, who dragged the ball away from the defender before firing it high into the net.

Arbroath went close as Fraser nearly forced the ball past Leadbetter, before a late free kick presented Arbroath one last chance to equalise. Ryan Paterson caught the free kick well but Leadbetter managed to keep the swerving strike with his feet as Dryburgh held on to win the cup.

While this wasn’t Arbroath’s day, they can be proud of what they contributed to a fantastic cup final. They defended well in the first half, and the fight they showed to comeback from 2-0 down was remarkable and suggests that they have what it takes to challenge for titles over the coming seasons.

As for Dryburgh, they have been in sensational form this season and after squandering a 2-0 lead, they showed why they have been so successful as they composed themselves before going on to win the game.

With one league fixture separating Dryburgh from an invincible season, they will be dreaming of adding the East Region Cup to an already full trophy cabinet, and if this performance is anything to go by, it’s going to take a very good team to stop them.