St Ninians High School were crowned winners of the Paisley and District Schools FA League Cup after a resounding victory over Eastwood at Mearns Castle.

Things started brightly for St Ninians as they probed their opponents’ back line, which led to some shaky moments for Eastwood. Lewis Smith’s inswinging corner from the left was narrowly headed wide by Declan Walsh before Matthew Reilly’s shot from a tight angle forced a superb reflex stop by Eastwood goalkeeper Ross Stoddard.

However despite the early pressure from St Ninians, it was Eastwood who broke the deadlock. An uncleared free kick from deep forced a stramash in the penalty area. The ball broke to Ross McKenzie who slammed it in from close range.

St Ninians were keen to bounce back quickly and came very close to equalising twice. Matthew Coyle received the ball from Reilly’s cutback and fired on the half volley - his effort however was met by the lunging calf of centre-back Calum McMillan. The ball then broke to Ronan Fox on the edge of the penalty area and his shot too was blocked by the resolute McMillan.

Then followed an absolutely outrageous equaliser, straight out of the books of Lionel Messi. Receiving the ball on the halfway line, Smith seemed to have the ball glued to his feet as he skinned three Eastwood players on his way to the edge of the box where he then produced a precise finish into the bottom right corner.

The first half petered out as both defences were on form. A couple of free kicks whipped into the box by St Ninians came to nothing due to ample organisation from the Eastwood defence.

The second half began with chances for both sides. Roan Fitzpatrick fired just wide of the left post for St Ninians before Eastwood number 11 Lennon Houston’s cross flashed across goal. However, for the team in black it was just too far for Keenan Campbell to reach.

But it was not long before St Ninians completed their comeback. The persistence of Reilly on the by-line paid off as he squeezed his way through two Eastwood defenders. His subsequent chip to the back post set up Fox for a simple header from point blank range.

St Ninians were determined to put the game to bed and several chances followed. Coyle was sent through on goal but the pass forced him wide and his high finish ended up being a let off for Eastwood. Shortly after, Coyle pounced on a loose ball inside the box but again could not keep the shot down.

The goal had changed the game completely and Eastwood were like dogs on a leash, rarely let out their half by St Ninians’ relentless pressing game - a tactic that led directly to their third goal. Reilly’s switch from winger to central midfield paid off as he won the ball 30 yards from goal before slipping it into the path of Fox. He made no mistake finishing high into the top left corner. It was the second time the two had combined for a goal and their celebratory embrace showed they were very close to winning the trophy.

However dominant his team proved to be, Coyle was so unlucky not to have notched a goal by this point. He read the game brilliantly in the 55th minute to reach Fox’s knockdown but an incredible save from Stoddard denied him a goal.

Another player who deserved a goal was Reilly. He had been called upon to play a variety of positions and after weaving in and out of the Eastwood defence managed a shot at goal. It struck the crossbar and came down to Fitzpatrick who also got in on the act, smacking the bar after an extravagant swivel volley.