Young Glens feel loss

Glencairn Under-21s missed out on adding to their recent Scottish Cup triumph as they lost out in the final of the Golden Goals Cup.

The young Glens squad was stretched to the limit as only six of the players who started the final two weeks ago were available due to injuries, suspensions and holidays.

Thistle were the team creating all the early chances but Glens’first chance came in the 21st minute as Eoghan McKeown slipped a pass through to Anton Phinn, but goalkeeper Ryan Kelly raced out to block.

Play swung back to the other end and Graham out-muscled Kyle Chrystal before hitting a dipping shot just over.

Steins continued on the front foot at the start of the second half, and there were claims for a penalty in the opening minute but the ref waved them away.

Glencairn went close in the 52nd minute but Njabulo Ndlovu stabbed his shot over the bar on the stretch.

The pressure continued and a crucial block by Ndlovu denied Smith before play swung back to at the other end as McKeown cut inside his marker before firing a low shot straight at Ryan Kelly.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute when Steins’Cameron McGhee went down in the box and Thistle captain Liam Taggart fired the resultant penalty home to make it 1-0.

Phinn’s chip was palmed away by Kelly minutes later and he almost lobbed the‘keeper late on but was crowded out.

McGuiness scuffed his shot in the 87th minute as Steins held on to lift the trophy.