Whitedale Reserves have won the league and cup double for the first time, beating 2024 holders Delting 2-1 at Seafield Park to lift the Blueshell Mussles Bloomfield Cup.

Early quickfire goals from Joe Haddon and Jos Hatrick had the West side team ahead, before Iain Devonald halved the deficit later in the first half. Delting pushed in the second half to force extra time but Whitedale held on to cap off an immensely successful season.

Westside boss Geoff Young said: “This is our fourth cup final we’ve managed in recent years and the first we’ve managed to win.

“Delting gave us a really good game and they have a lot of physicality and experience within their side. Credit to them but also to my guys- they all played their part today and were excellent.

“We wanted the early goal and managed to get two. Delting were probably the more comfortable team after that and control large parts of the second half but it was a good battling performance and played in great spirits.”

“We’ve got some great young players coming through now and it’s a great experience for them to win the double.

After a frantic start Whitedale found themselves with a comfortable two-goal cushion. Haddon found space on the edge of the box and drove his effort across the goal and into the far corner in the 7th minute. Less than one minute later, Hatrick rose highest in the box to turn home a cross from the right.

Delting were stunned but not defeated, and grabbed a goal back in the 33rd minute. Deveonald’s header was high and looping, and it just beat Saul Swanson in the Whitedale goal to give the Brae side hope.

In the midst of Delting’s goal the Whitedale goalpost was snapped, but some quick work from a spectator had the woodwork righted, allowing the game to continue.

Though there was plenty of action in the second half, chances were at a premium. Delting came close through Gary Burns and Leighton Flaws, but Whitedale stood firm to bring home the trophy.