Shortlees Overcome Drumchapel In Spectacle Scottish Amateur Cup Final
14/05/2026
By Jack Rogerson
It was a colossal night in Toryglen as two goliaths of Scottish amateur football clashed at Barclays Hampden. Drumchapel Amateurs versus Shortlees Amateurs – only one could be crowned this season’s Scottish Cup champions.
Accompanied by their mascots, both sides walked out to enormous applause. It truly felt like a huge game as the sides lined up in front of the gleaming trophy.
Drumchapel’s Paul McConachie got the ball rolling in the tie, with Aaron Graham having the first shooting chance five minutes later – firing low and wide of the Shortlees net from around 25-yards.
Shortlees began to look lively around the 12-minute-mark. A lovely give-and-go between captain Keir Knapp and Danny Wilson saw the winger bear down on goal, but a heavy touch squandered the chance.
Drumchapel winger Reece Pearson then dazzled as he skipped by a committed Josh Loudon. He then found the inviting run of Jamie Ross, who was inches away from making contact with the ball in an attempt to guide goalwards.
The Drum continued to probe the Ayrshire side’s box with back-to-back corners. The first was deflected over the bar, and the second was magnificently defended at the front post by Jay McManus. With Drumchapel pouncing on every Shortlees clearance, it took the composure of ‘keeper Louis Kerr to take the sting out the situation with a couple of fantastic gathers.
A massive chance for Shortlees saw Knapp bend a pass behind the Drum backline. The pace of Jack Frew was showcased as he met the pass, drove by two opposing defenders and played a low-driven ball across the face. His pass agonisingly evaded Wilson at the back post.
Mere seconds after their squandered chance, The Lees broke the deadlock. Laser vision by Ricky Hanvey found the darting Wilson, who made no mistake with his finish and coolly slotted home. A goal which sent the Shortlees supporters wild with choruses of “No Shortlees, no party” ringing around the national stadium.
The Caledonian Premier League side did not falter however, continuing to attack in a bid to find their equaliser. Jamie Ross fired a wicked cross into Alan Morrison which was very unlucky not to lead to a tap in for the Number 10. The ball then filtered its way out to right back Adam Douglas, who whipped a ball towards the Lees back post. Josh Loudon was on hand to clear the danger, however.
Keir Knapp found himself a chance to deliver from the right flank via a free kick – and deliver he did. His accurate free kick found a leaping Jack McWilliam, who nodded home a second for the East Ayrshire men.
With their side now two-up, the rowdy Shortlees following ramped up the atmosphere in a hope to push their team to Scottish Cup Glory.
Drumchapel continued to huff and puff, and a huge moment in the tie came along in the 37th-minute. Captain McConachie found time and space on the edge of the area, targeting an effort in the top left corner. Flying through the air, the agile Louis Kerr produced a wonder save to keep a secure lead for his team.
The men in red had another opportunity when Aaron Graham’s free kick met the head of Paul McAlear. The centre half’s header was tame in the end, with Kerr gathering with ease.
A near horror moment for the leaders as a Drum corner met the head of the defending Jack Frew. His attempted clearance went extremely wayward, hitting the target of his own goal. Much to his relief, the busy Kerr was there to thwart.
The half-time whistle then came to cap off an exhilarating first half from Colin Smith’s men, with Drumchapel having still created a plethora of chances in the opening half, too.
The trailing side looked to strike early in the early stages of the second period. A slight fumble from Louis Kerr thanks to pressure from the Drumchapel attack had to be cleared urgently by McManus. The resulting corner was – unfortunately for The Drum – nothing to write home about.
Colin Smith was then forced to turn to his bench less than five minutes into the half. Goalscorer McWilliam hobbled off the field with Stuart Bryant replacing him.
Following the substitute, Shortlees’ Jordan Manus showed great tenacity to win the ball back for his side high up the park. His cross, however, did not beat the first man.
A superb move from the men in blue saw sub Bryant chop his man in the centre of the park and slip a pass wide to Knapp. The industrial attacker danced by Douglas and played a ball to the near post, which was centimetres away from finding his intended target. Much to his despair, it met the side netting instead.
Pushing for a lifeline in the tie, Drumchapel flung bodies into the box and were so nearly rewarded. A cross-ball saw it break kindly to Alan Morrison, who couldn’t get his shot away when the on-rushing Kerr blocked the effort whilst taking a heavy blow in the process.
Chris Malone’s side’s mounting pressure on his opponent’s back four paid off when a fantastic McConachie pass across the Shortlees box met the very lively Morrison. The striker then finally found his well-deserved goal to pull one back for his side.
The party atmosphere for Lees faithful had now began to vacuum out of Hampden Park, and the Drumchapel support began to believe. The tension was palpable for what was set up to be a huge half an hour left in this final.
Both sides turned to their bench as Dario Nimmo was introduced for Shortlees, replacing the impressive Ricky Hanvey. For Drumchapel, Olamide Olafoyeku came on out wide in place of Reece Pearson.
Keir Knapp showed an abundance of energy as he drove by two defenders, eventually being hacked down just beyond the half way line. The eventual free kick never led to much, but it certainly highlighted that The Lees had no ambition of stopping their attacking intent.
A third change then came for the leading team as Jackson Biggar replaced John McFarland at left back.
Drumchapel, with their tails firmly up, adamantly pushed for their second of the game. A fantastic cross from the right side of the pitch was flicked on by Alan Morrison. The headed effort struck the post in what was so narrowly an equaliser.
And then Drumchapel’s equalising goal arrived. Surrounded by a sea of blue shirts, the ball seemed to bounce around the feet of Drumchapel number 9 Jamie Ross for an eternity. Keeping his balance and composure, he buried his strike and wheeled away in joyous celebration surrounded by his teammates. The Drum were certainly in dreamland.
Change number four then came for Shortlees – attacker Makhi Henry replaced Jack Frew
After drawing level, Drumchapel were hungry for more. As goalscorer Jamie Ross looked destined to shoot, Dario Nimmo produced a brilliant sliding challenge in the box to keep the scores even.
Drum looked to roll the dice from their bench as Ross was replaced by Martin Leck.
For the second time in the tie, Shortlees were forced to make a change due to injury. This time, goalie Louis Kerr had to withdraw and was replaced by Martyn Barclay.
Unbelievable scenes then followed after the change, with Knapp creating what can only be described as football magic down the left flank. A step-over and heavy touch left centre half Morrison reeling, giving him no choice but to commit a last-ditch tackle in the area. The Lees captain was scythed down from the challenge leading to a penalty being awarded.
Up stepped Danny Wilson, and with the weight of the scheme on his shoulders, he emphatically rifled his penalty into the back of the net to grab Shortlees a third. The fans in the stand, the players on the pitch and even the committee in the dugout all united in the joyous celebrations at the corner flag in a surreal moment in Glasgow.
Wilson was then unlucky not to grab a third minutes later when his deflected shot forced a cat-like stop from Scott Richardson.
Ewan Harris was introduced with three to go for The Drum, replacing Greig Morrison.
With a collective of injuries and substitute breaks, a minimum of seven minutes were added to this exceptional cup final.
Pushing for a fourth to kill the game, Wilson drove until he seen the angle to play in Jordan Manus. The midfielder forced a simple save for Richardson who collected well.
As if the tie couldn’t get any more spectacular, in the 99th-minute a long free kick from Drum number 1 Richardson saw the ball land in a sea of red shirts in the box. A shot was then rifled into the top corner of the Shortlees goal, sending the Drumchapel faithful crazy. In an instant, euphoria became devastation as eyes fell on the linesman Craig Harvey standing with his arm out straight and flag in-hand. The offside call saw the score remained 3-2.
That was all she wrote for this unforgettable Only Sport Scottish Amateur Cup Final – Shortlees Amateurs are back on top of Scottish amateur football for the second time in their history.
Commiserations to the valiant Drumchapel Amateurs. It was the sorest of defeats for Chris Malone’s side after what has been a near-perfect season for them. The Drum do not deserve to feel like losers today, producing sheer quality on the biggest stage – but, marginally, the esteemed trophy slipped away. One thing is for sure though – Drumchapel Amateurs will be back at Hampden Park competing for this prize again in the near future.
Onto the winners- a side built on relentlessness and a winning mentality. They’ve had their fair share of turbulent times since their last Scottish Cup victory in 2018, but many things have always remained the same; the backing of their loyal fans, the hard work of those involved with the club and, most importantly, the drive to become the best in Scotland once again. Massive credit to Colin Smith and his committee for bringing the trophy back to Shortlees – very well deserved.
The Star Man
After two goals and a very impressive all-round display, number 10 Danny Wilson claimed the Player Of The Match award in this thriller. The Kilmarnock lad played this game as if he was used to competing on these sorts of occasions. He was cool and calm for both his finishes, whilst also showing great intensity in both his pressing and driving with the ball at his feet. The boy has been top drawer at every level of amateur football – whether that be the Scotland set up or the Sunday leagues. Fair play, Danny Wilson, you are now a Scottish Cup hero.