In an enthralling cup encounter at Tullibody Civic Centre on 22 March 2025, Sauchie Juniors 2011 and Old Monklands played out a thrilling 2-2 draw after 70 minutes of normal time, leading to a penalty shootout that saw Old Monklands emerge victorious with a score of 4-3. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, setting the stage for a gripping contest between the two sides.
Sauchie Juniors lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Jamie Mitchell in goal, flanked by a defensive line of Kacper Serafin on the right, Logan Squair and Rory Frame in central defence, and Olly Moore on the left. The midfield trio consisted of Findlay Russell on the right, Kaden Dunnachie centrally, and Kier Hutchinson on the left, while the attacking front three featured Wiktor Zylowski on the right, James Edwards as the central striker, and Kornel Baczynski on the left. This setup aimed to provide a balanced approach, allowing for both defensive solidity and attacking flair.
The match began with an early flourish from Sauchie Juniors, as Kier Hutchinson made a long pass in the third minute, showcasing his vision and intent. Just moments later, Rory Frame made a crucial interception to prevent an early chance for Old Monklands, demonstrating the defensive resilience of the home side. Kacper Serafin followed suit with another long pass, creating a promising opportunity for his teammates.
However, it was Old Monklands who struck first, scoring in the tenth minute, taking advantage of a lapse in the Sauchie defence. The visitors doubled their lead in the 30th minute, capitalising on another defensive mistake, leaving Sauchie Juniors trailing 2-0 at half-time.
After the break, Sauchie Juniors emerged with renewed determination. Rory Frame, who had already been a standout performer, attempted a shot in the 41st minute, but it went high. Just two minutes later, Frame found the back of the net with a stunning lob from long range, pulling one back for his side and igniting hopes of a comeback.
The momentum shifted further in Sauchie’s favour when Frame scored again in the 51st minute, capitalising on another defensive error from Old Monklands. With the score now level at 2-2, the match intensified, with both teams pushing for a winner. Frame continued to threaten, but his attempts in the 49th and 63rd minutes went wide, while Wiktor Zylowski also missed a chance in the 65th minute.
As the match approached its conclusion, Kacper Serafin made vital defensive contributions, clearing threats and maintaining pressure on the Old Monklands attack. The match ended after 70 minutes of play, leading to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
In the shootout, Old Monklands proved more clinical, converting four penalties to Sauchie Juniors' three, thus sealing their progression in the cup. Rory Frame’s exceptional performance, highlighted by his two goals, earned him the Player of the Match accolade, despite the heartbreak of the penalty shootout. This match will be remembered for its drama, resilience, and the spirit shown by both teams.
