ONE of Scottish football's carnival occasions, the OVD Scottish Junior

Cup Final, brought a first success yesterday for Camelon, who beat

Whitburn 2-0 at colourful Fir Park, Motherwell.

Goals in each half for Graeme Wood and Chris McKenzie made it a golden

day for the Mariners, Camelon's nickname since the days when that

district of Falkirk was a shipping centre on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

But there could be a silver lining for the gold-clad Whitburn fans as

the ''Burnie'' could still beat the team in red in the race for the East

League title.

Camelon's success comes a few months short of their seventy-fifth

anniversary and is a particular triumph for the Fairley family.

Team captain George, 37, is co-manager with his brother, Brian, and

both of them previously gave long service to Whitburn. Brian managed the

West Lothian club before lifting Camelon from the doldrums four years

ago to the East League title last season while George won a number of

trophies in his 14 years with Whitburn. Brian also played in the cup

winning Bo'ness team of 1984.

Among Camelon's guests yesterday was John Hansen, father of former

Scottish internationalists Alan and John. John senior played in the

Camelon team who lost by the only goal to Kilbirnie Ladeside in the 1952

final.

This success also gives the Falkirk area something to celebrate on the

football front after three near misses this season by the senior clubs.

Falkirk finished a few points short of a place in the UEFA Cup while

Stenhousemuir and East Stirlingshire both missed out after having looked

set for promotion in the lower divisions.