Hearts break Rovers’ hearts in competitive debut match
IT WAS a baptism of fire for Lochgilphead’s walking football team – but they came away from Perth with heads held high.
Lochgilphead Rovers were in the Fair City last Sunday to compete in a St Johnstone FC community tournament. With teams from St Johnstone, Hearts, Ayr Utd, Dundee Utd and seven others, it was a tough but enjoyable first competitive outing for the Rovers.
The first couple of games saw Rovers under a little pressure as two 1-0 defeats had supporters thinking about heading for some retail therapy in town. In game three, however, Tom Kilcolm showed his striking prowess versus Ayr Utd, scoring Lochgilphead Rovers’ first competitive goal and securing three points for the team.
It was onwards and upwards for captain Russell Anderson, who led his midfield of David Renwick, Ian MacDonald and Paul Williams as the team swept to victory in game four. With Willie Luke, Jimmy Litster and Jim Innes holding firm at the back, a final 1-0 victory was achieved in game five.
Despite their heroics, it was not quite enough to get Rovers into the final, as they lost out to eventual winners, Hearts, by two points.
This was an extremely creditable performance from Rovers, and one which has the players dreaming of European glory in Portugal this October.
Getting permission from the players’ partners might be slightly more problematic.
If you would like to take part in walking football, sessions are held in Mid Argyll Sports Centre at the joint campus on Tuesday evenings between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
Over-50s, male and female, are most welcome.
For further information, speak to any team member or just come along on the night.