YFS
East Region (313)
Drysdale strike clinches East Region Cup for Pitfour
Written by Andrew CreeganThomas Drysdale’s extra time strike secured Pitfour the East Region Cup. Brodie Pollock gave Pitfour an early lead, but Calum Forest headed Glenrothes level before the break.
It was a first cup final for both these sides, and it was Glenrothes that had the first chance of the game through Finlay Shearer, but Ewan Moncrieff was equal to his free kick in the opening minute.
Pitfour won a free kick on the left of the box and it would prove to be the source of the opening goal as Brodie Pollock stepped up and curled the free kick over Dylan Fleming into the net.
Having made the ideal start to the match, Pitfour were knocking the ball about in a manner far ahead of their years. Pollock was released down the right but saw Fleming keep out his effort.
Despite their dominance in the opening 20 minutes, Glenrothes were forcing their way into the tie, and were rewarded with a deserved equaliser five minutes before the break when Calum Forest headed Ryan Heatherill’s corner past Ewan Moncrieff.
Shearer tested the Pitfour stopper with a strike from 20 yards, but the sides went off level at the break.
Celtic triumph in 10-goal thriller to complete double
Written by Andrew CreeganCeltic Boys turned on the style in the final of the Celtic Golden Jubilee Cup as they completed the league and cup double. The P Gibson League winners raced into a 5-0 half time lead, and despite an improved performance from Mearns in the second half, held on to clinch the silverware.
These sides completed their league campaigns at the end of April, and champions Celtic wasted no time in opening the scoring. Josh McGuire was sent in behind the Mearns defence, and the pacey striker made no mistake as he fired past Ian Strachan after four minutes.
When Ben Lunn misjudged a ball into the Mearns box, there was only ever going to be one outcome as McGuire fired in his second of the afternoon.
Dougal Makepeace had Mearn’s first sight of goal moments later when he dragged a shot wide from 18 yards before Strachan denied McGuire his hat trick with a smart save.
The resulting corner saw Strachan deny Cody Holt from close range, but the keeper couldn’t prevent Liam Keith squeezing the loose ball into the bottom corner.
Celtic added a fourth with 21 minutes on played through Jamie Murray. McGuire slipped the ball into the winger, who curled a shot into the bet from the left angle of the box.
Mearns nearly pulled a goal back when a long free kick found its way through to Ross Akers, but Lee Duncan denied him at point-blank range.
McGuire completed his hat trick in first half injury time when he turned in the box and fired a shot high into Strachan’s net.
Four goals from Jamie Timmons helped Fairmuir clinch the Queen’s Jubilee Cup. The midfielder needed just 14 minutes to complete his hat trick and netted a fourth before half time.
Mark McCrory headed in the fifth in the second half before Ewan Stewart pulled one back for Ferry with an emphatic finish, but it wasn’t enough as Fairmuir completed the league and cup double.
Both sides were looking to add a second piece of silverware to their trophy cabinets and it was Maryfield League winners Fairmuir that nearly made the perfect start to the game when Ross Hazel released Jake Grady who curled a shot against the crossbar from 15 yards.
Fairmuir were presented a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Ferry keeper Connor Milton was judged to have stepped out the box with the ball in his hands. Jamie Timmons stepped up and fired the resulting free kick past the diving Milton.
Mark McCrory went close for Fairmuir from a corner before Timmons netted his side’s second. The midfielder fired a free kick from 35 yards towards goal and the ball took a nasty bounce as it evaded Milton and ended up in the net.
Daniel Ogilvie’s curling effort brought a save out of Cammy Hendry before Hazel fired over from the edge of the Ferry box.
Timmons completed his hat trick after 21 minutes when he fired a dipping effort from 25 yards over Milton.
Louie Porter forced his way to the Fairmuir by-line, but his cut back was hooked away Alex Stewart before Jake Stewart could tap the ball home.
Two minutes before the interval, Timmons completed his hat trick of free kicks as he curled the ball past Milton from 30 yards.
Grady hat trick fires Fairmuir to Maryfield League title
Written by Andrew CreeganA hat trick from Jake Grady handed Fairmuir the Maryfield League title as they came from 3-1 down to be crowned champions.
Fairmuir had the edge in the title race going into the match with a draw enough for them to secure the title, while Dryburgh knew that only a win would see them retain their crown.
Josh Fyffe headed wide for Dryburgh, while at the other end, Jamie Timmons headed the ball into Rory Jagusinski, who fired wide from 15 yards.
After a cagey opening, Dryburgh broke the deadlock after 18 minutes when Ryan Smith latched onto a loose ball and slipped a shot past Cammy Hendry.
Fairmuir searched for an equaliser and were rewarded after the half hour mark when Hendry found Jake Grady with a long ball. The striker saw his first effort saved by Aaron Cosgrove but gathered the rebound and curled home the leveller.
Kane Hynes headed wide moments later before Ross Hazel fired over from the edge of the box.
Five-star East Craigie complete double treble with Elwood Cup win
Written by Andrew CreeganEast Craigie Swifts completed the double treble as they turned on the style against Kirrie Thistle in the final of the Henry Dolan Cup. A first half double from Keir Gardiner followed Ethan Bannon’s opener.
Reece Lornie and Hayden Burr netted in the second half, with Aaron Barnett heading in a Kirrie consolation late on.
This was East Craigie’s second cup final of the season, while for Kirrie it was a first ever cup final appearance. Rohan Brown had the Angus side’s first chance after seven minutes but didn’t trouble Charlie Kennedy with his volley.
Keir Gardiner was sent in behind the Kirrie defence after 18 minutes, but goalkeeper Eoin McNicol denied the striker. Aidan Mcirvine headed over from a corner not long after as East Craigie searched for the opener.
The Dave Pullar League champions did find the opener in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Callum McCleary’s shot was kept out by McNicol and the loose ball was cleared into the back of Grant Prain by Callum Milne, giving Ethan Bannon a simple finish from close range.
The nature of the goal was a blow for Kirrie, and they soon found themselves two down as Gardiner headed home Rhys Beattie’s cross from close range.
Reece Lornie was denied by McNicol before Kennedy tipped Ryan Cormack’s strike round the post. McNicol pulled off a fine one-handed save to keep out McCleary’s shot.
Six minutes before the break, East Craigie scored again. Gardiner chased down a long ball, and his persistence was rewarded when McNicol miskicked the ball straight into his path, and he rolled it into the empty net.
Heenan the hero as Fairmuir lift Ross Ballantine Cup
Written by Andrew CreeganFairmuir clinched the Ross Ballantine Cup at the expense of rivals Riverside. Harrison Smith gave Fairmuir the first half lead only for Aiden McDougal to bring Riverside level.
Blair Fyffe put Fairmuir ahead from the penalty spot before Stuart Heenan fired home Fairmuir’s third late on.
These side’s both boast a win a piece from their two league meetings and both knew the importance of the opening goal. Jayden Burnett saw Declan McCallum keep out his curling free kick before Odin Chalmers shot wide.
Blair Fyffe had Fairmuir’s first openings but neither resulted an effort that troubled Jacob Kerrigan in the Riverside goal.
There was little separating the side’s in the opening exchanges, but it was Fairmuir that got their noses in front after 26 minutes. Harrison Smith appeared to have over hit his cross from the right, but the ball sailed over the head of Kerrigan and into the net. It may have been a tad fortunate, but Fairmuir had found the all-important opener.
Jay Foran’s double fired Ferry Athletic to the Presidents League title at the expense of Fairmuir. The striker netted either side of Ross Fordyce’s volley as Ferry wrapped up the title with a game to spare.
A shock defeat to Monifieth Tayside meant Fairmuir had to win to keep their title hopes alive and they had two chances in the opening minute as Errol Vela was denied by David Beattie before Jaden Murphy dragged a shot wide.
Ross Bell penalty appeal was waved away when he went down inside the Ferry box. The ball eventually fell for Vela who could only shoot wide.
At the other end, Andy Kelly volleyed over after gathering Logan Irvine’s pass before firing over from Blair McCord’s cut back.
The opener did come for Ferry shortly after as Jay Foran powered his way into the box before sliding a shot underneath Steven Connor.
Beattie was deputising between the sticks for Ferry due to an injury picked up by Stewart Linton when the two sides met in the Peter MacAvoy Cup final, and he pulled off a fine fingertip save to keep out Ryan Scobie’s header.
Things nearly went from bad to worse for Fairmuir when Blair McCord pounced on a loose ball and went through one-on-one with Connor, but the Ferry man waited too long to pull the trigger allowing Ryan Bannon to deny him with a perfectly timed challenge.
Ferry break Broughty hearts in John Clark Motors Cup final
Written by Andrew CreeganGoals from Brandon Donnelly and Ewan Stewart clinched the John Clark Motors Cup for Ferry Athletic as they came from behind to beat Broughty United, who opened the scoring through Callum Howe.
Both meetings of these sides in the league ended in draws and there was little between them in the opening stages. Brandon Donnelly flashed a free kick wide as Ferry looked for the opening goal.
Ferry were seeing most of the ball but couldn’t test Gregor Tweed in the Broughty goal. With 22 minutes gone, Broughty opened the scoring.
A corner was missed by Kieran Barron and fell to Callum Howe, whose cross-cum-shot was misjudged by Connor Milton and ended up in the net.
Ferry’s response was almost instant as a long free kick broke to Louie Porter, but his close-range effort was kept out by Tweed. At the other end, Liam Clark went close with a free kick from 25 yards.
With half time approaching Ferry went close to grabbing the equaliser. Porter picked out Greg Breen with a cross, who played the ball into the path of William Banyard, whose shot was blocked by a defender, before being met by Ewan Stewart, but his header was straight at Tweed.
Monifieth do the double with victory over Pitfour
Written by Andrew CreeganMonifieth Athletic picked up their second cup of the season thanks to a 2-1 win over Pitfour in the final of the Jean Pierre Babin Cup.
The G Taylor League leaders beat the same opponents by the same score line in the final of the Tommy Clark Trophy earlier in the season and goals from Greg Will and Aiden Lorente ensured the same outcome, despite Ally Alcorn puling one back for Pitfour.
These sides have had no shortage of football in recent weeks, and it was Pitfour that made a promising start to the final. Ross Cameron picked out Kai Finnie with a low cross, but the forward saw his effort blocked by a Monifieth defender.
Ben Clos shot wide after 18 minutes before Ally Alcorn saw a tame strike held by Thomas Welsh. Monifieth were offering little in attacking sense but were coping with Pitfour’s pressure.
Welsh made kept out a strike from Kairn Brand on the half hour mark before the Pitfour man made an important interception at the other end as he dealt with Aiden Lorente’s cut back.
St John's worthy champions with big win over Harris Academy
Written by Calum McCafferyMore...
Ferry double puts Monifieth on cusp of G Taylor League title
Written by Andrew CreeganArran Ferry’s double put Monifieth on the verge of the G Taylor League title as they inflicted Fairmuir’s first league defeat of the season.
Monifieth knocked Fairmuir out of both domestic cups earlier in the season and nearly opened the scoring after eight minutes when Greg Will headed the ball towards goal, but Liam Hunt was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Both these sides boast strong defensive records, meaning cleat cut chances were few and far between in the opening stages. Fairmuir’s Jamie McCann dragged a shot wide after a run from midfield.
Monifieth were nearly gifted the opener after 32 minutes when they pounced on a slack goal kick, but Arran Ferry didn’t capitalise as he fired a weak shot straight at Shaun Watt.
The striker did find the net two minutes later after being released by Elliot McCafferty. Ferry slotted past the oncoming Watt to hand Monifieth the lead.
Fairmuir leave it late to clinch Peter MacAvoy Cup
Written by Andrew CreeganA late penalty from Ross Bell clinched the Peter MacAvoy Cup for Fairmuir Violet. Gary Scobie had Fairmuir ahead with a thunderous first half free kick but Blair McCord levelled seven minutes after half time.
With five minutes to go, Bell was fouled inside the Ferry box and slotted home the penalty to secure Fairmuir the cup and keep their treble dream alive.
These two sides occupy first and second spot in the Presidents League, and it was Fairmuir that started brightest in their search for the opening goal. Ryan McLaren was twice denied by Stewart Linton in the opening stages.
Losing the influential Rory Faulkner early on didn’t help Ferry’s cause. Long range efforts from Andy Kelly and Tom Banyard didn’t trouble Steven Connor in the Fairmuir goal. Robbie Gallacher met a Ryan Scobie free kick after 26 minutes but couldn’t steer his header on target.
Scobie netted a free kick 12-months ago when these sides contested the Henry Dolan Cup final, and it was his left foot that rewarded Fairmuir for their efforts seven minutes before half time. The defender curled home a free kick from 25 yards that Ferry keeper Stewart Linton couldn’t keep out.
Linton was called into action moments later to keep out Cameron Tansey’s volley from a tight angle. The goalkeeper was quick to pounce on the rebound with McLaren looking to capitalise from the loose ball.
Ross Bell had been a thorn in Ferry’s side for most of the first half, and he nearly set up Gallacher for Fairmuir’s second, but Ross Fordyce managed to make a last-ditch block to deny the midfielder.
Rampant Celtic flatten Kirrie in Reilly Falconer Cup final
Written by Andrew CreeganCeltic Boys put on a scintillating display as they downed Kirrie Thistle in the final of the Reilly Falconer Cup. Ben Barclay opened the scoring for the DS Rennie League leaders in the first half, with a header from Jake McHugh doubling their advantage in the second half. Imran Madugu made sure of the win with a late brace.
These sides occupy first and second spot in the DS Rennie League and both came flying out the traps looking to strike first. Campbell Stevenson found Imran Madugu inside the box early on, but the big striker could only strike the ball against the base of the post.
Kirrie scored six times as they lifted the Dundee West Anniversary cup six weeks earlier, and they were nearly gifted the opener after 10 minutes. Celtic keeper Callum Angus kicked the ball into Sam Ellis who with the goal gaping lifted the ball over the bar from 15 yards.
It was a big chance gone begging for the Angus side, who were nearly punished moments later as Jake McHugh’s cross landed at the feet of Stevenson a matter of yards from goal, but he mishit his effort.
With 17 minutes gone, Celtic were presented a golden chance to take the lead as James Downie was taken down inside the box. Madugu stepped up, but his spot kick was kept out by Rory Davidson, who pushed the ball over the bar.
Celtic continued their pressure on the Kirrie goal and saw a corner fall to McHugh seven yards from goal, but he volleyed over.
Eventually, the pressure told, and Celtic broke the deadlock. Madugu found Ben Barclay on the left and he powered his way into the box before slipping the ball past Davidson at the near post.
McHugh went close to adding a second for Celtic six minutes later when he beat Zak Innes to a bouncing ball in the box, but his effort came back off the bar and into the arms of Davidson. Madugu headed a free kick narrowly wide just before half time.