Cambusnethan Talbot triumph over Phoenix in hard-fought U13 CLYFA C Division Final

Cambusnethan Talbot Community Football Club BC Reds came out on top of the U13 CLYFA C Division Final against Motherwell Phoenix on Sunday morning with a 2-1 victory in a closely fought encounter.

With windy encounters in the very open John Cumming Stadium both sides were fighting a battle against the elements with any long balls losing all accuracy in the air due to the swirling bursts, despite this both teams had efforts on target in the opening few minutes but none testing either keeper.

Talbot quickly took control of the early stages, with forward Masen Hendry using his height, power and strength to cause all sorts of problems for the Phoenix defence. He would come close after barging his way through between the central defenders early on, but his shot would come off his shin and go wide.

Phoenix would not learn their lesson however, and minutes later he would be in once again after a great one-two with Lewis Boyd, calmly finishing under keeper Blaine Robson, who got a hand to it, but could only divert it into the inside side netting of the goal.

The away side would come close to levelling late on in the first half via a swirling dipping volley from Kai Brady, but it would fly just wide of Ethan McKenzie’s goal and his side would go in trailing at the interval.

Hendry would continue to torment the Phoenix backline in the second half, forcing Robson into a great save right away in the second period.

But it would be Pheonix who scored first post-interval with forward Jack Stewart guiding a corner from captain Alfie Dobbie into the far corner to level the match.

However, they would not be level for long as Talbot skipper Jack Mathison would score an audacious free kick from well outside the area on the right flank. His swirling effort caught the wind perfectly and ended up nestling right in the far corner to put his side in front once again.

Pheonix would push hard for another leveller. They were nearly gifted a goal by Talbot substitute-goalkeeper Alfie Ross, his pass out from the goal going directly to Stewart, but the forward could only find the side netting.

Stewart would also play in Dobbie but this time Ross would be the hero and deny the Phoenix skipper.

Motherwell would huff and puff but a mix of the windy conditions and some solid defending mixed with good game management from Talbot would ensure the score would remain 2-1 and confirm Talbot’s cup victory to end their season on the highest of highs.

Cambusnethan Talbot Player of the Match: Masen Hendry

Talbot’s Hendry was in unstoppable form, scoring the opener and using his size and strength to constantly battle through the Motherwell defence throughout the full match.

Motherwell Phoenix Player of the Match: Alfie Dobbie

The captain Dobbie was his teams best player, consistently carrying the ball forward on the break to give his side an outlet and capped off his game with an assist from a well delivered corner.

Cambusnethan Talbot Magic Moment:

The winning free kick from captain Jack Mathieson was a thing of beauty, curled superbly from distance.

Motherwell Phoenix Magic Moment:

The fantastic header from Jack Stewart to level the game, got up well and directed it perfectly into the corner.