YFS
On a day when vast throngs of family, friends and supporters made the pilgrimage to Ochilview, perhaps the most vocal were the U19s SYFA final between Mills United and Steins Thistle. Mills United’s progress to the final was remarkable considering that they had finished last season with a prospective U19 team of just seven players, with only the timely recruitment of friends allowing them to compete. As for Steins Thistle, the Central Region Cup would be the culmination of a notable season and would mark a treble, along with the local cup and league titles.
In a match of extremes Steins Thistle and Mill United looked determined to make a breakthrough right from the kick off. With a vocal support both sets of players pressed relentlessly, with Mills United making the most of their chances. The final 2-1 score line does not do justice to match of rapid end to end movement.
The first 20 minutes of the match were dominated by Steins Thistle. They saw repeated shots on goal snuffed out by Mill United’s goalkeeper Ryan Tweedlie. A free kick from 30 years when just right of the mills post which signalled that Steins would find the Mills United goal one way or another. This apparent dominance was reinforced by Mills first shot on goal which was convincingly retrieved by Steins goalkeeper Callum Gray.