DIVINE INTERVENTION
Two Rutherglen organisations came together at the weekend to support a worthy charitable cause with a seven- a- side football match.
But there was little Christian charity on offer from the Burnside Blairbeth Church side who handed out a thrashing to a team from the local branch of the Scottish Socialist Party.
The church side mercilessly crushed their opponents 15-3 in the match at Stonelaw.
However, the real winners will be the Trussell Trust, the voluntary organisation who deliver foodbank services across the UK including the one in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
The SSP actually started brightly when towering striker Sean Baillie, showing a great touch for a big man, danced past two opposition players and slotted past the goalkeeper.
This proved a rare highlight for the Socialists as the Christians took control of the game and raced into a 5-1 halftime lead.
In the second period, Charles Neil and Gordon Wynne racked up the goals for Burnside Blairbeth Church despite the best efforts of David McClemont in goal for the SSP.
While the match was a bit of fun, there was a serious message at the end of it.
Burnside Blairbeth Captain Gary Wylie, one of the few Blairbeth players not to get on the score sheet, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed playing in the match especially to support the local foodbank and the work that goes on there.”
David McClemont captaining the SSP and organiser of the match, added: “We were sad to learn recently that people in our local community are forced to rely more and more on foodbanks just to make sure their families have enough to eat.
“Those who volunteer and run food banks do an amazing job but we are in no doubt that food banks only exist on our doorsteps as a result of Tory Government policy to slash public services and drive down wages.
“The fact that in 2013/14 around one fifth of food bank referrals in the UK were as a result of low incomes is a national scandal.
“Imagine working all week and still not having enough to feed your family. This is clear evidence that our low pay, zero hours work culture is hitting the poorest people in our society hardest.
“I’d like to congratulate Burnside Blairbeth Church on their well-deserved victory but hopefully the Trussell Trust will be the real winners as I hope to make this charity match an annual event.”