Sport round-up
St Johnstone’s under-18 team added another honour to the trophy cabinet on Friday after winning the CAS Performance League.
The Perth side’s young guns defeated nearest challengers Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park - goals came from Jackson Mylchreest and Adam Mcmillan - to wrap up the title.
Having made the semi-final of the Scottish Youth Cup earlier the season, their latest success story was the perfect ending to a special year.
Team coach Liam Craig said: “I spoke during the Youth Cup run about us being a young group and how I was really proud of how they had come on from the start of the season.
“We were hoping to finish in the top half [in the league] this season, just because it was a young squad.
“To win the league against a very good Kilmarnock side - with first team experience in it - is incredible.
“I’m delighted for all the staff who have put so much in this year but more importantly the players.
“It was a big transition for them last summer, coming into full-time football. They have been a credit to themselves and have really kicked on.”
Craig added: “I’ll be honest and say I thought both teams were a wee bit nervous on Friday.
“We were probably the better side in the first half. We knew the second half would be edgy because Kilmarnock had to score. We probably wanted a wee bit more composure in the game from the whole team but it was a brilliant performance and brilliant win.”
Striker Mylchreest had missed a first half penalty but bounced back to open the scoring and then tee-up Mcmillan for the stoppage time winner.
“Obviously Jackson missed the penalty but I thought his response was brilliant,” Craig said. “And he scored a great goal second half.
“He has been in the first team this season on the bench and has had that experience. A lot of the players have been in training with the first team.
“Right from the start of the season, Callum Davidson made sure there was a togetherness right through the whole club. They are in amongst it all the time.
“It was brilliant to win the league and our cup run but it is about them progressing as players. We have definitely seen the improvement this year.
“The academy is in a really good place and it is credit to all the coaches, especially Alistair Stevenson at the top of that. He keeps getting players in who progress and have days like this.”
Captain of the under-18 team is left-back Scott Bright, a local lad who attended Perth Academy.
He said: “It has been a very long season but Friday was a great day for us and the club.
“It shows that the academy is going somewhere and that there is something to look forward to. That is two titles in just over a year now for a lot of us and it is something to build on.
“It topped it off ending on a win. Full credit to the team because we have put in all the work and it has come together perfectly for us. And it makes it even better knowing it is near enough the exact same team next year.”
EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE
Kinnoull agonisingly missed out on the East of Scotland League First Division title on Saturday.
But the Perth side, who finished
second, can reflect on a marvellous season which still has them safely promoted to the Premier Division.
Alan Cameron’s men were, in the latter stages of the afternoon, sitting at the summit but Dunbar United netted a late penalty to complete a comeback against Camelon and steal the crown.
Kyle Woolley, Mark Smith and Jamie Mackenzie had been on the scoresheet for Kinnoull in a 3-1 away win against Preston Athletic.
Luncarty rounded off their promotionwinning campaign by defeating bottom of the table Kennoway Star Hearts 4-1 in Fife.
Rhys Davies netted twice, Olly Hamilton once and there was also an own goal in the Saturday success which placed the Bleachers third overall.
There was an outside chance of winning the title at the beginning of the day but results elsewhere did not go their way.
“We got in front early on and were determined to do our job and ask questions of the other teams,” said Robbie Holden, who took charge of his last game for the club.
“We got into a comfortable lead and it was nice to finish off with a high.
“We tried to focus on our game but the scores were filtering through to the sidelines.
“We tried to keep that away from the players throughout.”
Holden added: “We had a great night after with the awards and it was great to recognise the efforts of the boys.
“With it being our farewell as a management team, it was an emotional evening.”
AMATEUR FOOTBALL
Jeanfield Swifts amateurs showed their extra time resiliency again to be crowned Perthshire Cup winners on Friday night.
Another enthralling evening of football against Breadalbane - who they had recently beaten in the Ashleigh Cup showdown - entertained crowds at Tulloch Park, home of Kinnoull.
This time the game had finished 4-4 following the initial 90 minutes with Rhys O’connor, Dell Newlands and Ali Abboud (2) netting the Swifts goals.
In the 111th minute, experienced striker Billy Carle found the back of the net and that proved to be the winning
action.
On Saturday, only two games were on the amateur football fixture card and both were in Smart Fixings Division Two.
Auchterarder defeated Wolfhill 5-1 while Balmoral recorded a 3-0 triumph over Ballinluig.
On the Junior football front, Scone Thistle finished their Midlands League campaign with a 5-2 defeat away at Broughty Athletic while Blairgowrie went down 8-1 against Carnoustie.
BOXING
Luke Bibby packed a real punch to successfully retain his GB Elite Three
Nations title on Sunday.
The Perth boxer, proudly representing Scotland again, lifted the 63.5kg trophy in Rotherham following a composed performance in the final against Daniel Walshe of Wales.
Bibby, who is a member of Perth Railway Boxing Club, was given the nod by split decision.
Having also won the event in 2022, he smiled: “The first time was so nice I had to do it twice.”
Former Perth Academy student Bibby had defeated Amali David of England by unanimous decision in the semi-final on Saturday.