Veterans battle it out for Yuill Cup honours

Forth Vets .................. 1 Endrick Vets .............. 3

Stars of the past took the field on Saturday in the annual Forth and Endrick League’s golden oldies match for the Tom Yuill Cup.

Senior players representing Forth Veterans and Endrick Veterans met at Balfron in a game which is as much a social occasion as a football match and the tea bar and barbecue ensured that the post-match reunion and reminiscing lasted rather longer than the game.

The Forth XI had more of the ball in the early stages but could not find a way though a capable Endrick defence.

After the first 10 minutes, Endrick took over with no more success in front of goal.

Then, perversely, Forth took the lead when a long clearance found Stevie Buchanan in the clear and the referee ignored Endrick’s hopeful appeals for offside as he went on to score.

The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as Graeme MacKenzie crashed in Endrick’s equaliser. Endrick now had the upper hand but Adrian Pirie in the Forth goal had an inspired game and kept them out until five minutes before the break when Endrick regained the lead.

The second half continued to favour Endrick but they scored only once when Raymond Tedeschi managed to beat keeper Pirie for a 3-1 win.

It was great entertainment on a sunny afternoon.

Perhaps the pace was less frantic but the outbreaks of skill were still there for all to see. The players obviously enjoyed a great day of sport, although they were possibly less enthusiastic come Sunday or Monday.