Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
East Craigie hit Celtic for five in cup quarter
FREEZING temperatures gave the bulk of DDYFA sides another weekend off with only a handful of games taking place.
East Craigie Swifts U/17s were unbeaten domestically in 2017, and they got the new year off to the perfect start with a 5-0 win over Celtic Boys in the quarterfinals of the Henry Dolan Cup.
Manager Steven Fallon was delighted with the result.
He said: “It’s been a long break and it’s always good to start off with a win. First half we were sluggish but the second half was much more like us.
“All the boys played well and it was good to keep a clean sheet. Finlay Baird and Callum McCleary came on at half-time and made a difference to our attacking play.”
After a close-fought first half, East Craigie opened the scoring in the second period when Jordan Conway converted Ewan Faulkner’s cut-back.
Finlay Baird had a hand in his side’s second and third goals, setting up Hayden Burr and Faulkner — who both found the net.
Celtic fought back from 3-0 down when these sides met in the Scottish Cup earlier in the season but any hopes of a similar comeback were ended when Callum McCleary cut inside from the left and fired a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
Matt McKinnon rounded off the scoring with a cool finish, as East Craigie sealed their semifinal place in style.
With a 100% record in the league, and two local cup semifinals to look forward to, East Craigie Swifts will be hoping to take their form into the East Region Cup.
With the draw for the competition made over the winter break, Fallon knows his side will be able to compete on all fronts.
He said: “We’re looking forward to East Region, we don’t know the draw yet but feel we have a squad that, on our day, can go out and beat anyone. We are aware there are other teams who will feel the same way.”
The draws for the U/13s, U/14s and U/15s have been revealed, with plenty of competitive ties to look forward to.
High-flying Ferry U/13s will take on Letham Whites, while holders Forfar Boys U/14s begin their defence of the cup away to Breadalbine YFC.
Dundee West take on Pitfour U/15s in the first round.