Friendly games

DON’T MISS OUR FANTASTIC PICTURE SPECIAL ON PAGE 19

There was a feast of football in Lamlash on Sunday when Arran United welcomed St Cadoc’s Youth Club from Newton Mearns for a series of friendly games.

There was a feast of children’s football at the Lamlash playing fields last Sunday when Arran United FC entertained St Cadoc’s Youth Club from Newton Mearns.

There was a really good turnout not just of players and parents, family and friends who made it a great day with simultaneous matches taking place across the playing field and astroturf.

The day was organised by Matt Harvey with the help of Lisa Morrison, who has a family connection to the St Cadoc’s team.

Arran United, who run mixed football training, had their fun four team, who are coached by Ross Dobson, their 2009/10 team, who are coached by Matt, and the 2006/07 team, who are coached by Barry Smith. St Cadoc’s brought over approximately 25 youngsters for the friendly and Arran have been invited to Newton Mearns next month. All 50 kids played really well and they all had a great time.

Jane O’Neill, from St Ca- doc’s, told the Banner: ‘Our kids had a fantastic day. We were invited on to the bridge of the MV Hebridean Isles, SPT buses arranged a return journey for us to the high school and all the parents, coaches and supporters from Arran made us feel so welcome by producing the most amazing and delicious lunch. It was a brilliant trip.’

Arran United have grown from a handful of boys and are now a mixed group of about 40 children. They are taking on new coaches who will all be SFA trained and are sponsored by the Lamlash Bay Hotel and Mark West Flooring.

Training is on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6pm till 7pm for primary one to primary four. Barry’s boys train on Tuesdays from 7pm till 8pm and Thursday from 6pm till 7pm. Training is held at the high school.

01_A03footy06 Arran control the ball in midfield.

01_A03footy10 A goalmouth scramble in the fun four team game.

01_A03footy13 A goalmouth scramble in the 2009/10 game.

01_A03footy04 Size doesn’t matter as this young girl gets stuck into a tackle.

01_A03footy14 A St Cadoc’s player is surrounded by Arran defenders.

01_A03footy02 Two of the younger players in a tussle for the ball.

01_A03footy08 Arran keep the ball with three St Cadoc’s defenders closing in.

01_A03footy17 An Arran player brings the ball out of defence.

01 A03footy15 Fierce determination on the face of these young players.

01_A03footy09 A St Cadoc’s defender blocks a fierce shot.

01_A03footy03 The seniors tussle on the astroturf.

01_A03footy05 An Arran player turns his opponent.

The chase is on for the ball in the seniors game.

01_A03footy16 Parents watch the players closely from the sidelines.

01_A03footy01 Action from the 2009/10 team’s match.

01_A03footy12 One of the young players is full of concentration.