YM invaders conquer the Vikings in Denmark
East Kilbride YM embarked on a trip to Denmark last week – and conquered the Viking International Veterans Tournament.
The club sent two sides to the town of Balleup, which is twinned with East Kilbride, and the YM teams ended up contesting the final.
Frank McGowan’s Old Crocks won 3-2 in the final of the eight-a-side tournament, which attracted opposition from the host nation, Sweden, Holland and England.
YM also used the tournament as their annual end of season trip, which is normally in Benidorm, and this meant that a full squad of the younger amateur players from YM also travelled in the 40-strong group.
It was a hectic Friday as the group met in the Village at 3am for the bus to Edinburgh Airport and there was a significant amount of socialising which carried through continuously until 5am the following morning in Denmark. Despite this 24-hour period, there were only four casualties who never made the 9am coach to the football tournament in Ballerup.
The weather was fantastic throughout the whole day but in terms of the football it certainly took its toll on the Old Crocks as the day progressed.
EachYM Old Crocks’team were placed in separate groups of five in a round robin of four 25-minute games. At the conclusion of the group stage both YM teams progressed to the semi-finals and, fortunately, managed to avoid each other. One of the teams won 3-1 in their semi-final while the other progressed through due to a terrific save by Billy Hamilton in a dramatic penalty shootout which they won 3-2.
By the time the final came there were only 8‘fit’players in eachYM team left as injuries, alcohol and the heat took its toll.
Despite this the crowd saw a great game which was won 3-2 by the YM side captained by Frank McGowan.
McGowan’s teams’goals arrived via Derek Arthur, Graeme Robertson and Alan MccRae. The losing side’s goals came from Scott Bambrick, with one of the goals earning him goal of the tournament.
After the competition everyone watched the younger YM side take on a very fit Ballerup’s Professional Reserve side and again, despite the previous days exertions, YM ran out 2-1 winners.
The tournament was such a success that Ballerup representatives have asked YM to host an International Old Crocks Tournament next year, which the club have agreed to do.
It is hoped that there will be opposition from several countries participating on June 9, 2018, and any company or individual interested in getting involved in any way to assist or provide sponsorship should get in touch with Graeme Robertson on 07557 507713.