Stranraer completed a magnificent cup double with a famous Final victory, ensuring that while Motherwell may have taken the League title, the season’s silverware cabinet still requires a substantial Stranraer-shaped extension.

Having already lifted one cup earlier in the campaign, Stranraer went into the SESL Final determined to prove that winning trophies was becoming less of an achievement and more of an administrative routine. Ninety minutes later (and some penalties), the second cup was theirs and the celebrations began.

At the centre of them was veteran star man Mondo, who delivered an emotional post-match speech to his exhausted teammates.

“People said we couldn’t do it,” he began, fighting back tears. “Actually, several people said we probably could, but I ignored them because it ruins the speech.”

Mondo thanked the manager, his teammates, the supporters, the kit man and, after briefly losing his train of thought, “whoever remembered to bring the cup.”

He then turned his attention to League champions Motherwell.

“Congratulations to Motherwell,” said Mondo solemnly. “The League is a tremendous achievement. It takes consistency, determination and excellence over an entire season. Cups mainly require us to keep winning until somebody hands us something shiny.”

With that, he kissed the trophy, immediately complained that it tasted of metal polish, and disappeared beneath a pile of celebrating teammates.

MOT may have the League crown, but Stranraer finish the season as undisputed kings of the knockout competitions: two Finals, two trophies and enough medals to make airport security extremely complicated.

For Mondo and Stranraer, it was the perfect ending to a glorious cup campaign — emotional, triumphant and, most importantly, requiring a bigger trophy shelf.

Striller Harp