The newly crowned champions were presented with the league championship trophy prior to the game, but it was downhill after that for the men from Golspie.

Balintore midfielder James Skinner scored a superb hat-trick and generally ran the show. It was enough to earn him the man-of-the-match award.

The underdogs were dealt a blow after just five minutes when forward Steven MacCallum was forced to retire due to a re-occurring injury problem.

But Balintore re-shuffled the pack to good effect and it was Balintore who took the lead in the 15th minute when Skinner latched on to a through ball from Ross Powell and volleyed high into the net.

The goal stunned Golspie, who looked a mere shadow of the side which had dominated in most competitions this season.

Golspie Sutherland were named champions of the North Caledonain League 2007-08 ahead of the Football Times Cup final against Balintore FC in Alness. Balintore went on to win the Football Times Cup 3-1 with man-of-the-match James Skinner scoring all three of Balintore's goals. Andrew Smith 01862 832588

Skinner struck again in the 52nd minute when he curled a free kick round the Golspie wall and into the net. But Golspie were thrown a lifeline five minutes later when Stuart MacCallum handled in the box and John MacKay converted the spot kick.

But Skinner restored Balintore's two-goal lead in the 76th minute when he netted after being left one-on-one with Golspie keeper Neil MacKay.

Balintore held out comfortably until the end for an unexpected but thoroughly deserved victory.

It was a disappointing performance from Golspie but they can still look back on a season in which they successfully retained the league championship and won two cups.

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