Andy Leishman saluted Auchinleck Talbot's goal heroes after proudly hoisting aloft the Junior Cup at Rugby Park on Saturday.
The big keeper was skipper for the East Ayrshire side's showdown with Yoker Athletic.
Craig McCracken's stunning 25-yard strike and Jamie Glasgow's fancy finish earned Premier Division 'Bot a 2-0 victory over their lower-ranked West of Scotland League opponents.
And Leishman believes his side's quality shone through in the end to ensure a gruelling, year-long campaign ended with silverware in the sunshine.
He told Ayrshire Football News: "It's massive for me, especially to be captain for the day, that we've gone on to win it. They had a free hit at us but I thought our fitness showed in the end.
"The message from the gaffer at half-time was to keep doing what we were doing but a bit faster. It was too slow in the first half, we just had to do things quicker. The subs that came on also made a difference.
"I didn't even see where a goal was coming from to be honest but it takes something like that [McCracken's goal] in a cup game. It was a special hit for Craig and he seems to love to score goals in this competition.
"And when you have players like Jamie coming off the bench, that makes the difference."
It was party time in Auchinleck with fans lining the streets for the squad's arrival back home on Saturday night while Beechwood Park was bouncing as punters got the beers in.
Leishman added: "Words can't describe how good it is [in the village after winning the cup]. Everybody says the Scottish Cup is dead. It's not. Look at the fans here. For this club, this is massive."
Meanwhile, centre-back McCracken knows exactly what this competition means to 'Bot's communities after breaking the deadlock to break Yoker hearts.
He said: "It’s special. I’m from Catrine, just two or three miles away from Auchinleck. It makes it a bit more special because you can hear and see how much it means to the community.
“Hopefully I won’t have to put my hand in my pocket for a wee while! You get well looked after here so no doubt drinks will be getting thrown at us!
"It’s as big and important a goal as any other I’ve scored. It’s always special to score in cup finals."
McCracken, 26, reckons Auchinleck's campaign is something to be proud of despite missing out on the Premier Division title and a shot at promotion to the Lowland League.
He said: "We’ve won two cup competitions and come close in the league so it’s been a successful season. We have beaten Hamilton Accies in the Scottish Cup and then gone on to play Hearts too so you can’t say it’s been anything other than successful.
Delighted supersub Glasgow added: "It feels really good to win the Junior Cup again and it makes it all the better to have your family and friends here.
"It's always a big day for the club and that's three out of three for me."
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