Barrhead book place in final
Club now has two age groups eyeing-up cup
Craig Ritchie Barrhead Youth under-21s completed an historic week when they joined the 2003s in the Scottish Cup Final following a 3- 0 win over Antonine at Neilston’s Brig O’Lea Stadium.
Barrhead started brightly and, after eight minutes, a great piece of skill from Peter Haggerty on the edge of the Antonine area was only stopped when he was hauled down – but the resulting free kick came to nothing.
On the quarter- hour mark, a cross from the right was too deep, but Fraser McLaughlan managed to skip past the Antonine full-back before hitting a great effort that saw their keeper save well at his near post.
Barrhead were well on top now but, just before the half-hour mark, Conor Bradley had to make an important interception on the edge of his own area with the Antonine nine waiting to pounce.
From the clearance, a ball was sent over the top and Chris Burns timed his run to perfection, beating the calls for offside before boring down on goal and side footing the ball under the keeper and in off the far post.
Antonine went close at the other end when their number 10 hit a great free kick that was only bettered by the save from Calum McMaster in the Barrhead goal.
McMaster showed his quality to cut out a dangerous cross and preserving his side’s lead as the teams went in at the break.
Three minutes into the second half and it was 2- 0, a quick free kick was sent in and, when not properly cleared, the ball ended up with Haggerty who hit home the second of the day.
Two minutes later Burns had two efforts in quick successionbut both came to nothing.
Substitute Steven Lamont tried his luck from distance, not long after replacing Burns, then Bradley made way for Mark McGrory.
Twenty three second- half minutes had elapsed when Barrhead secured their final berth with Cammy O’Neil slotting the ball under the outrushing Antonine keeper.
There was no further scoring as the 21s joined the 2003s in their respective Scottish Cup Final, the first time in the history of Barrhead Youth Football that they have two teams in the finals in the same season – a quite fantastic achievement.
Dates for both finals have still to be announced.
Barrhead: McMaster, Bradley, Etherston, McFarlane, O’Donohue, Haggarty, O’Neil, Stevenson, Burns, McLaughlin.
Subs: Easdon, Lamont, McGrory, Love, Lamont and Hughes.