YFS
A solid team performance from Glenburn MW was enough for them to lift the U14’s West of Scotland YFL Presidents Cup against league rivals, Bellfield Royals, thrashing the Kilmarnock side 7-2.
A hat-trick for striker Evan Knox and a brace from Mackenzie Ewing as well as goals from Lewis Muir and Josh Taylor comfortably sealed the cup for the West of Scotland league champions in what was a well contested match.
Glenburn, who have only lost one league game all season got off to a flying start after withstanding some early pressure from The Royals. The Bellfield defence cleared the ball, but only into the path of Ewing on the edge of the box who rifled his first time shot into the bottom right corner to give his team an early breakthrough.
Evan Knox then almost single-handily doubled Glenburn’s lead shortly after. He picked the ball up on the right wing, just inside Bellfield’s half, and drove with the ball into the box and fired a cross-come shot across the face of goal which went narrowly wide of the far post.
However, Knox did get off the mark soon after when Ewing provided a superb assist, lifting the ball over the defender’s head for the striker to pounce onto and poke the ball past the helpless Max Haliday in goal.
Bellfield were trying hard to clinch a goal back after a double setback, although the only danger they could cause was courtesy of a speculative effort from Bradley Paterson from 30 yards out which was comfortably saved by Cole Millen.
On 24 minutes Calum Mabon skipped by his marker on the right wing and swung in an inch perfect cross for Lewis Muir, who was in ackers of space at the back post, to head Glenburn even further into the lead.
The Bellfield boys looked down and out- they were struggling to cope with Glenburn’s physicality in midfield and the balls in behind the defenders. However, when you’re down, sometimes all you need is a little bit of magic. Aaron Kerr collected the ball on the far side of the box and within a blink of an eye, he twisted and turned his way past the Glenburn defender and put the ball on a plate for Darren Brown to make it 3-1.
However, Bellfield could not continue to keep up the intense pressure and four minutes later Knox scored his second of the match. Muir squared the ball to his strike partner to tap home in the six-yard box.
This would be the last action of the half as the referee signalled for the break, in what was a dominant showing from Glenburn.