Young Glens up for cup
Under-21 starlets lift prestigious silverware for second time in three years
Glencairn Under-21s brought home the most prestigious trophy in Scottish youth football – the SYFA Scottish Cup– for a second time in three years, as they stayed on course for a remarkable quadruple of trophies this season.
The Glens signalled positive intentions quickly as Tommy Lone shot over the bar after only 14 seconds, before Anton Phinn set up Lewis Watt who fired over. Barrhead started to work their way into the game, though, and Andrew McLaughlin’s shot was deflected wide in 8 minutes, before Phil Lee drilled an angled shot a yard over .
A ball over the top in the 25th minute set up a chance for Glencairn left back Ryan Clark, but William Lennox got back to make a timely block.
Lennox had a great chance to score moments later but saw his back post header saved by alert Glencairn goalie Kyle Pirie.
As the match headed to half time the Glens had two big chances, with Michael Lone pouncing on a defensive error to run through on goal and firing past both keeper Stuart Collins and the post, before Phinn intercepted a loose pass and set up Watt who shot tamely at Collins.
The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute as a brilliant pass by Michael Lone released Phinn, and he produced a trademark composed finish.
It was a different game now, and you could see confidence coursing through the young Glens.
Michael Lone headed just wide from Phinn’s inswinging corner, and another wicked delivery caused problems for Collins as he almost fumbled the ball over his own goal line. The Glencairn contingent in the crowd held their breath midway through the second half as a ball over the top of Clark saw Lennox win the race and lob it over Pirie, but it dropped inches wide.
That miss proved crucial as the Glens struck again.
A diagonal ball over the defence saw Phinn spring the offside trap and fire into the corner of the net. Glencairn made good use of their substitutions as the match moved towards a conclusion, with Jack McIlveen replacing the tired legs of Hannaway, and Alan Dunsmore replaced by Connor Black.
Phinn just missed his hat trick late on, before the referee blew for full time, sparking jubilant scenes amongst Glencairn players, management and delighted fans.