Winner takes all as Dunoon secures youth league crown
A thrilling climax to the 2017 South of Scotland U14 league
THE UNDER-14 south league came to an exciting climax at Dunoon Grammar School as Dunoon hosted Bute in a winnertakes-all final game of the season.
Bute’s young shinty players required only a draw to secure the title, while for Dunoon it was a mustwin if they were to get their hands on the trophy.
With a healthy crowd looking on, Dunoon started on the front foot in the match, played on Friday November 10, and pushed the islanders back.
Bute had appeared to weather the early storm, but the pressure told on 12 minutes when Ross Donald found himself free at the back of the ‘D’ to power the home side in front with a low shot.
The home side were a constant threat as the midfield of team captain Kyle Kerr, Marcus Keith and Steven Thompson kept the opponents at bay and kept the strikers supplied with the ball. Some good passand-move shinty was rewarded on 20 minutes when an angled through ball found Neily McNaughton wide on the left and he rifled an unstoppable shot high into the net.
The home team were now playing with confidence, early nerves having dissipated into the chilly afternoon air.
Bute had occasional raids on the Dunoon goal, but a home defence of Sandy Stuart and Sam Bulloch were marshalled by Murray McClymont to mop up when required.
On 25 minutes Bute appeared to grab a lifeline when the ball was bundled over the line, but referee Hamish MacLellan had spotted a kick and the free hit went in favour of Dunoon.
To rub salt in the wound, on 27 minutes Neily McNaughton was on hand to bag his brace and give the home side a comfortable cushion going into halftime.
The second half continued as the first ended, with the home side pulling the Bute players all over the park with intelligent movement from the forwards. On 32 minutes, Finan Kennedy was on the end of a great move to expertly lob the keeper and give the Cowal lads a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Bute tried to press forward to get a foothold in the game, but just the occasional shot threatened Innes Lambert in goal, who kept his cool to relieve any sustained pressure on his defence.
In their quest for a goal, Bute were caught on the counter and a free-flowing move from a Sam Bulloch and Mark Crowe found Marcus Keith to fire home from range on 45 minutes.
The islanders’ task got no easier with the introduction by Dunoon manager Brian McNaughton of the industrious Rory Oxland and Drew McDonagh-Myer, who never gave the Bute defence a minute’s rest.
As time ran out, Bute grabbed a consolation with five minutes to go through Steven Dunn.
Winning the league trophy against sides from across the region was a big achievement for this Dunoon side, which dropped just three points throughout the season.