Stranraer lit up Stair Park with 70 minutes of champagne football, before spending the final 20 minutes looking like they’d forgotten how feet work. A 3–2 win over Motherwell felt more like a heist than a match by the end—but who’s counting?

Mondo Polestar was on fire, scoring one, assisting another, and generally treating Motherwell’s defence like traffic cones. Jules Everitt’s dodgy cross somehow found its way to Xian Carbon, who lashed it in for 1–0. Hudd Anstler doubled the lead with the kind of poacher’s finish that makes defenders question their life choices.

Then came the pièce de resistance: Polestar’s third—cool as you like, curled in like he’d already seen the highlight reel.

At 3–0, Stranraer looked unstoppable (stalling but with over 40% shot chance!? -Ed). Then someone clearly hit “reset” on their confidence settings (Well PRESS anyway -Ed). Dresser Prendel fell asleep, Motherwell scored. Seconds later, chaos in the box, another goal. Suddenly it was 3–2 and fans were chewing their scarves.

Still, the job got done. Stranraer take the team to the CECIL Semis against COV, Mondo Polestar takes the headlines, and Manager McCumiskey takes a mild heart attack. A thrilling win, with just enough panic to keep things interesting.

Stranraer came, saw, and did absolutely everything but score in a glorious 0–0 away leg masterclass that has set the table for a Stair Park showdown that’s spicier than a vindaloo on a speedboat.

Fir Park expected a routine night. Motherwell rolled out their big names and fancy haircuts, only to be met by a Stranraer squad that tackled like caffeinated rhinos and defended as if their mums were in the stands (which they probably were).

Captain Plunder Ghench led the backline like a Viking philosopher, while keeper Krawl Ruthtowner stopped everything but time itself. His double save in the 62nd minute caused three Motherwell fans to spontaneously combust.

Up front, Crewe Jickee had a one-on-one and—bless him—attempted a lob that cleared the bar, the roof, and probably entered low orbit. "Ambitious," said the commentary team. "Delusional," muttered his mum.

Still, with Weerie Opollo’s tireless runs and Ismaning Ghench accidentally nutmegging himself twice, the away support were entertained. And hey, it’s not every day you frustrate a Premiership side so much their fans start booing their own half-time pies.

The tie returns to Stair Park today. Bring your flags, your voices, and maybe a defibrillator. The upset’s brewing. Strap in, folks. It’s on.

Stranraer stormed into Station Park like a team possessed and left with only a point — but every single person in Nairn knows they should have left with three.

From the first minute, the Blues tore into Nairn with a swagger and style that had the home crowd silenced. Ismaning Ghench was electric on the wing, twisting poor Fraser Dingwall inside out, while Crewe Jickee ran the midfield like a maestro. The Wee County defence were chasing shadows all afternoon as wave after wave of Stranraer attacks crashed against the heroic (and incredibly lucky) Lewis Munro in the Nairn goal.

The breakthrough finally came in the 53rd minute when Xian Carbon, who had been threatening all match, rose like a salmon to bury a bullet header past Munro. It was nothing less than Stranraer deserved after carving Nairn open time and again.

But football can be cruel. A complete fluke in the 80th minute saw the ball fall kindly to Ben Barron, who poked home the most unjust equaliser you’ll ever see. The Blues pushed for the winner, but luck deserted them.

Make no mistake — this was a Stranraer masterclass. Next up: MOTHERWELL IN THE CUP. If the Blues play like this, the Steelmen better be ready. The Blue Wave is coming!