Maryfield book place in Peter McAvoy Cup Final with win over Montrose

Kenny Park was the venue for one of the Peter McAvoy Cup Semi-Finals as Montrose Youth U13s took on Maryfield United Ambers U13. Montrose wanted to win their first semi-final of the season after losing in their last in the league cup and for Maryfield they were hoping to win their first ever semi-final in 11-a-side. Before today’s game there had been one meeting with these sides and Maryfield won that bout five goals to one, but it’s a grassroots cup which means anything can happen.

Montrose were the team to get today’s semi-final underway both teams are just one win away from the home of the DDYFA final Dundee North Ends stadium. The first chance of the game came after only one minute as Caydens Holmes from Maryfield played a great through ball towards goal but none of the attackers could get to it. Maryfield would not stop there as four minutes later Maryfield were on the attack but a great tackle from Kellor Smith stopped the attack.

Maryfield were soon rewarded for their positive start in the sixth minute after a good bit of football, progressing from the midfield to attack, Riley Douglas scored to give his side the lead early on in this semi-final. Maryfield would keep pushing to try and double their lead but some good saves from Jack Simpson kept it a 1-0. Montrose would start to test the Maryfield defence but couldn’t get close to goal as some good tackles kept them at bay.

In the 24th minute, Mayfield managed to double their lead as Lucas Anderson gave his side a very well-doubled lead. Less than two minutes later Douglas managed to give his side a 3-0 lead as his pressing skills were top-notch in the first half and made the Montrose defence make some errors which he looked to capitalise on.

Maryfield kept pushing not letting Montrose enter their half and just six minutes before half-time they managed to make it 4-0 as Douglas found the net after a mess up in the box.

At the start of the second half, it was Montrose who were the better team and trying to start their comeback. Montrose were soon rewarded for their efforts as super sub-Jackson Marr managed to give his side a bit of belief in the 56th minute as he made it 4-1. He described it as “a jammy goal” but a very deserved goal for his side’s strong start to the second half.

Montrose would keep pushing and this was frustrating Maryfield as they began to give away fouls. Eight minutes later Montrose were awarded a free kick from far out by the touchline, and it looked to be in crossing range.  The player to take it was Ryan Davidson, however, didn’t think it was crossing range, and he scored a goal worthy of goal of the season. This took his tally to six goals in 2025 giving the goalkeeper of saving it. The comeback seemed 100% on for the young gable endies.

Maryfield did manage to come back into the second half for the last five minutes of the match as super-sub, Rhuiridh Robertson, scored back-to-back headers in the 66th and 68th minutes to secure his side’s place in their first-ever cup final.

Overall a dominant start to the game helped Maryfield helped them get into the final as Montrose’s good second-half display proved not to be enough. Maryfield will look to pursue their title charge and their Scottish Cup run next Sunday as they play in the quarter-finals of the U13s competition. Montrose will look to bounce back from this setback and finish as high as they can in the league.

Montrose Player of the Match: Kellor Smith

Smith put in some great tackles and was impressive going forward making some good overlapping runs and he was always motivating his teammates.

Maryfield Player of the Match: Rhuiridh Robertson

His quick and effective impact, coming on scoring two goals from two headers added to a very impressive performance.

Montrose Magic Moment:

The magic moment for Montrose goes to Ryan Davidson’s free-kick goal. Just out by the touchline, it looked impossible to score from but it was a great strike and gave his side a bit of belief.

Maryfield Magic Moment:

Maryfields magic moment was their two goals in the second half coming from Rhuiridh Robertson scoring two headers putting the cherry on the cake for his side.