A double victory for Riverside U17s

Riverside Athletic Under 17s clocked up two important wins in three days including only their second ever victory against Stenhousemuir on Saturday on the 4G at Wallace High.

The home side looked nervous for most of the first 20 minutes and gifted the away team two simple goals but came back before the break to reduce the leeway through Garry Laird.

Following some strong words of encouragement by manager Grant Stobbart, Riverside dominated the second half. With Kerr Liddle and Matty Jackson bombing down the flanks this gave options to the midfield with Lewis Morrow and Harry Thomson and captain Jordan White immense.

In the second half Kobe Furzer saw a shot cannon off the post but a minute later Riverside equalised when Laird slotted home a pass from Morrow.

laird then became goal-maker, setting up Adam Sharp to give Riversdie the lead for the first time.

Keeper Logan Barnes, making his Riverside debut, saved well to deny the Warriors but he was helpless when they drew level shortly afterwards.

Riverside didn’t panic and took the lead again when Sharp converted a penalty following a trip on Liddle.

Then, on the stroke of full time he completed his hat-trick to make it 5-3, rattling the ball home from a 25 yard free kick.

GDWM man of the match went to Garry Laird. Match was sponsored by RiversideTaxis.

On Thursday, Riverside won 4-1 at Cumbernauld against Seafar Villa.

First-half goals by Aaran Blackley, Harry Thomson, Garry Laird and Kobe Furzer has them in easy street and despite Villa netting in the second half, Athletic were always in control.

With light failing fast, referee Paul Robertson called a halt to proceedings on 75 minutes and it may be that the game will have to be replayed.

GDWM man of the match went to captain Jordan White.