LEE MITCHELL’S Wee Spiders in the Queen’s Park under-17s squad completed a league and cup double by defeating Dundee at Dens Park.
Captain Lewis Smith lifted the CAS Cup just five days after holding the league trophy aloft at Lochinch last week.
And that was all thanks to a Cole Goldie double in the second half.
The striker powered in the opener from a corner but then scored what proved to be the winner with a brilliant left-foot drive shortly after the hour-mark to land the squad a second piece of silverware.
Just back from injury, Goldie could add more yet with an under-19s league decider to come this week, but he and his team-mates matched the under-19s cup win at Ayr earlier this month with this Tayside triumph.
The game kicked off ten minutes late, but was almost immediately halted again with Lucas Breeds clattered within ten seconds by Ethan Flynn, requiring treatment from physio Cara Nish.
There was further delay shortly afterwards with a flat ball but once the gamer found a little rhythm, the Wee Spiders carved out their first attack after nine minutes.
Cole Goldie knocked wide to Southampton-bound Harris Afzal and the left-back’s cross floated off the top of the crossbar with Caiden Wright rushing in.
An even better chance fell to Dundee forward Rory Hughes on the quarter hour mark, sliding in to Flynn’s cut-back after the home side broke clear – but his contact sent the ball over the crossbar from close range.
Flynn was next to have a go himself, but his strike was charged down by Cole Goldie back to help the defence.
Dundee had the better of the remaining ten minutes of the first half, going close in with Rory Cargill and Rory Hughes – but neither could force a save from Kai Stevenson.
Two brilliant recovery tackles from Afzal stopped Dundee on a three-v-one break from a Spiders corner. He sprinted back to force Cargill wide then knocked the ball out for a throw to ease the danger
Keeper Stevenson had the last save to make before the break, low and comfortable from Ryan Bland.
After the interval Lee Mitchell’s plans had to change, with Kyle Rodger replaced by Cole Divers after six minutes.
His namesake Goldie then fizzed a long-range shot just over from 25 yards with neither side able to find a breakthrough.
That changed just a matter of minutes later – Goldie charging into the six-yard area to meet a well-placed corner and thump in the opener.
That lifted the Wee Spiders and after a brilliant advance from Luke Moore it was two.
He took a fantastic touch and zipped forward 30 yards, feeding Goldie 25yards out the striker took a touch and then unleashed a left-foot drive that wrapped around the goalnet and left Johnny Watson no chance.
It was a finish fit to win any game, but with a trophy on the line, Dundee were cheered back into it by their sizeable home crowd.
They roared for a penalty with 15 minutes to go as Bland went down under Caiden Wright’s challenge but the referee played advantage and the Dark Blues hit the side netting.
Lee Mitchell made a triple change seconds later, Afzal, Grant Kerr and Daniel Edzii replaced by Logan Duffy, Ollie Preston and Lennox Quail.
He then added Aaron Browne to the mix for Lucas Breeds as time edged towards full-time and a potential presentation.
Divers deflected a Bland strike out for a corner as Dundee pressed for the goal that would make the ending very nervy, and eventually the striker’s pressure told with a goal three minutes into added time.
But the Wee Spiders saw through the remainder to lift the trophy.
QUEEN’S PARK: Stevenson, Breeds (Browne 83), Afzal (Quail 75), Rodger (Divers 51), Smith, Lafferty, Kerr (Preston 75), Wright, Edzii (Duffy 75), Goldie, Moore.
