300 kids entertain at Jim Hastie Memorial

AROUND 300 kids were in action at the annual Jim Hastie Memorial Festival of Football with hosts Fairmuir and Pitfour amongthetrophywinners.

The ninth edition of the tournament, held in memory of Fairmuir trustee Jim Hastie, saw a day of seven-a-side football on the Saturday before the competitive 11-a-sides and fun fours took to Graham Street on the Sunday.

And Fairmuir president Ronnie McCabe was delighted with the turnout once more. He said: “It was very well attended again and it was a very good weekend.

“The behaviour of all the kids was superb and it’s amazing to see how much players as young as four-years-old love their football.

“There were around 220 spectators on the Saturday and probably about 300 on the Sunday.

“We were lucky with the weather, too — just the two showers!”

Among the clubs competing with hosts Fairmuir were Dryburgh, Dundee West, DUSC, Montrose, Douglas, Monifieth, Riverside and St James. Also there were teams from Broughty, Kirriemuir, Carnoustie, Pitfour, Ferry Athletic, Brechin and Celtic Boys.

Fairmuir U/14s got over a group stage defeat to Broughty Pumas to win their section with a fine 5-1 victory over the same team in the final.

Goals from Graeme Stewart, Dylan Rice, Daniel Hart, Robbie Flynn and Rhurai Henry gave them a victory to please coach Craig Morell.

He said: “We did really well, especially in the final. We rested some players in the group, knowing we were already through, who came back in for the final but I’m saying it was tactics!

“We also won the Fair Play Award from the referees which was a surprise because we never usually get near that.

“After finishing third last season we’re looking to better that this time and we’re looking good.”

Also picking up a trophy were Pitfour U/13s i n t heir first tournament at 11-a-side level. Manager Kenny Milne said: “We’re delighted, we have a really good group of boys who a lot of them have been together for five or six years.

“We scored a few goals in our four games and only conceded two which was good to see.

“The kids are ready for competitive football now but the main thing is they enjoy it.

“We were also able to show off our new strips thanks to our sponsor Drysdale Motorcycles.”

Ronnie McCabe, president of Fairmuir Boys Club, presents Fairmuir U/15s captain Jack Wilkie with the Jim Hastie Fair Play Award as well as the section trophy.

Rain-sodden Fairmuir U/14s smile despite the downpour that interrupted the presentation of their trophy and medals.

Pitfour U/13s celebrate with their winners’ medals and the trophy after winning their section in their first tournament at 11-a-side.

Brechin (red) took on Dryburgh in the U/14s at the Jim Hastie Memorial Festival of Football.

Action from Kirriemuir (blue) against Pitfour in the U/13 section at Graham Street.

Fairmuir U/14s (orange) ran out winners of the U/14 section — here they take on Ferry Athletic.