Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Kettles stars as Kirrie grab first-ever trophy
JAKE Kettles inspired Kirrie Thistle U/14 to their first-ever trophy as they toppled Dundee West 6-3 to lift the Dundee West Anniversary Cup.
The winger netted twice and picked up two assists as Kirrie avoided what would have been a stunning West comeback.
Manager Chris Kettles was full of praise for son Jake and for their opponents.
“It was a good game and full credit to Dundee West, you don’t get a good game with only one team,” he said.
“He’s been good for us this season, he’s caused a l ot of damage up front. He could have had a couple more.”
Kettles opened the scoring after six minutes with a powerful strike from close range. Kirrie doubled their lead when Cameron Simpson headed home midway through the first half.
Cammy Blacklock danced into the Kirrie box and smashed in Dundee West’s first goal two minutes after the restart, but Kian Martin wasted no ti me in restoring Kirrie’s two-goal lead.
Blacklock netted his second as Dundee West continued to fight but Logan Richardson put Kirrie 4-2 up with a fine strike seven minutes from time.
Aiden Law reduced the deficit to 4-3 late on but injury-time goals from Kettles and Zak Innes sealed the silverware for Kirrie.
Kirrie return to North End Park on May 6 to face Celtic Boys in the Reilly Falconer Cup Final and Kettles hopes to see his side add to their trophy cabinet, adding: “That’s the sign of a good team that you can keep reproducing and not just settle on the first one.
“Celtic Boys in the next final will be equally tough, they’re another good team.
“I think the experience will help us as it was obvious there were some nerves, especially in the first half. The longer the game goes on and you start losing a goal or two it’s just as bad but Sunday will help ahead of the second final.”
Elsewhere, Ryan Napier scored twice as Fairmuir U/17 knocked holders Glenrothes Athletic out of the East Region Cup at the last-16 stage. Jordan Stephenson, Jay Taylor and Cameron Meldrum also scored in the 5-4 win.
PICTURES and a report from the U/19 G Kerr/Maryfield Cup Final between Ferry and Forfar West End will appear in next Friday’s Evening Telegraph.