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t was a mildly hot day at Petershill Park as the Scottish champions Antonine looked to secure a treble against a very strong Barrhead side. Antonine took the lead in the eighteenth minute when left midfielder Ryan Forrester cut inside and fired home an absolute rocket which sailed into the top right hand corner from twenty-five yards out. 

 

Barrhead then began to put a lot of pressure on the Antonine defence but were not rewarded for their efforts. The final goal came in the fifty-eighth minute when Calum Campbell provided a superb cross for striker Andrew Nixon who rose above the Barrhead defence to slot his header home. The match was closely fought and was a very close encounter throughout the ninety minutes but Antonine held firm and secured the win.

 

Barrhead were the first to create an opening. In the first minute they applied very high pressure and won the ball back, midfielder David Mullin found himself in acres of space in the Antonine box but goalkeeper Scott Wright was equal to his effort and the ball was cleared. 

 

The next chance came eight minutes in, but it was now Antonine’s turn to attack. After Barrhead only party cleared, the ball fell to midfielder Blair McPherson on the edge of the box whose thunderous volley scraped just wide of the Barrhead goal.

 

In the twelfth minute Antonine came close to opening the scoring; a cross-cum-shot by right back Euan Urqhart almost crept in under the bar but it struck the frame of the goal and the ball was cleared by the Barrhead defence. 

 

Five minutes later however, Antonine found themselves in front – The ball was switched across to left midfielder Ryan Forrester who cut inside and fired a thunderbolt into the top right hand corner – there will be debates in the Forrester household tonight about whether Ryan intended to shoot, but, it looked superb from the stand so I think it merits a ‘well done’ at least!

 

Barrhead bounced right back despite the setback. Connon McLean found himself in space just inside the box, the big defender attempted to stab the ball into the net but Wright was able to parry the ball away and it was eventually cleared by the rock solid Antonine defence.

 

On the half hour mark Barrhead almost equalized. A long throw was launched in from the left and midfielder Jay Burns’ attempt at a glancing header nearly came off but Wright was able to reach and gather the ball. 

 

Right on the stroke of half time Barrhead almost scored but Stuart Locan’s effort from the edge of the box was hit just over and the referee blew his whistle to draw an end to the first half.

 

The first half was a very tight affair, no team could seem to get a strong foothold in the game and this caused it to be a scrappy match.

There were no real chances until fifteen minutes into the second half, but, Antonine only required one shot which they finished with devastating effect. Full back Calum Campbell sent a high cross into the middle and striker Andy Nixon was on hand to provide a strong header into the bottom corner. 

 

Antonine were now determined to see this game out, defender Christopher Dooley found himself closing down Barrhead players in their own half – He managed to win the ball on the edge of the box and provide a pass to David Seagrave but the pacey striker was not able to test Stewart Collins in the Barrhead goal.

 

Antonine were almost three up fifteen minutes from time. Campbell once again providing a cross for Nixon who reached for the ball and lobbed Collins, but, McLean was able to clear the ball off the line and keep the game within the reach of Barrhead.

 

A few minutes later and Collins was again called into action – this time a superb double save prevented Antonine from going three up. Graham played a low cross which was directed towards a few Antonine players at the back post, Rhuridh Clark and Nixon attempted to score but Collins was able to parry the ball out for a corner.

 

The final act of the game came from Barrhead. Connor McCabe beat his marker and shot across goal but his shot crept just wide. 

 

The game was then drawn to a close and Antonine were crowned West Region Champions of the 1997 age group. However, credit must be given to both teams as every player battled superbly throughout and on another day the match could have gone differently.