Moodie pleased by goal-hungry U21s

Scotland Under-21 coach Graham Moodie was quietly pleased with his side’s 5-2 win over Grove Menzieshill at the opening build-up game prior to the European Junior Championships II in St Petersburg this summer.

“This was a very positive start, we were dangerous going forward and it was nice to get some goals on the board,” said Moodie, pictured. “There is still a long way to go and loads to improve upon.”

The early exchanges belonged to the side that finished third in the league, set piece expert Aidan Mcquade giving the Taysiders a two-goal lead before Moodie’s charges were allowed to settle.

By the interval the Scots youngsters were level, Cannock striker Kyle Gladwin scoring twice for a 2-2 half-time scoreline.

The under-21s took the lead for the first time following a well-taken deflection by Western Wildcats’ Rob Harwood. Clydesdale’s Pat Lonergan was next on the scoresheet, picking the ball up on the edge of the circle and firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net for 4-2. The fifth goal was the pick of the day. Cammie Golden won the ball in his own half and sprinted to the circle, before a passing move with Lonergan took out the Menzieshill goalkeeper, leaving the former with the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net.

The two sides meet again next weekend for the second leg in Dundee. Holders Newtonmore will play either Kinlochshiel or Kilmallie in the Mactavish Cup final after they beat Glenurquhart 3-1.

All the goals came in the final third as Glen Mackintosh scored twice, either side of Drew Macdonald’s goal. Substitute Neale Reid netted a last-minute consolation for visitors Glen.

Kyles Athletic and Oban