Clydesdale Academy lift cup with outstanding showing against AFC Motherwell

Clydesdale Football Academy came out on top of the U13 CLYFA D Division Final against AFC Motherwell on Sunday morning with a convincing 6-0 victory at the John Cumming Stadium in Carluke.

With the conditions easing and the sun rising from behind the clouds following the C division final earlier in the day the sides managed to emerge each hoping to get their hands on the trophy.

AFC Motherwell got us underway, but their opponents quickly took control of the contest. They emphasised their quality after only eight minutes when Ryan Sinclair managed to squeeze the opener home under Motherwell keeper Millar Irving to give his side the lead.

It was nearly two not long after, but Nathan Daly superbly managed to clear the shot off the line to keep the score at 1-0.

Clydesdale would continue to dominate the half, but Motherwell held out well to keep the score the same at the break but struggled to gain any attacking momentum.

In the second period, Clydesdale ran riot, with Sinclair scoring his and his side’s second, after a great run from captain Conor Straub down the right. His cut back into the area was cleared right to Sinclair on the edge of the area, with the forward striking low and a deflection directed the ball into the bottom left corner.

It was 3-0 when Tom Fraser burst down the right, leaving the full-back for dead and he struck across the goal. Irving made a good stop but Luke Shannon was on hand following in to convert the rebound and finish the tie as a contest.

Sinclair managed to grab his hat-trick, Straub slipping the ball through the backline, with Sinclair collecting in his stride and finishing across Irving for his third.

Straub would be the provider again, bursting into the area before setting up Shannon, who volleyed home for his second.

Straub would then get himself on the scoresheet, tucking home a late penalty to complete the scoring and get his reward for an outstanding captain’s performance.

AFC Motherwell Player of the Match: Nathan Daly

Daly held his own throughout a difficult game making some good clearances and tackles.

Clydesdale FA Player of the Match: Ryan Sinclair

Sinclair was in outstanding form, bagging a hat-trick in the cup final.

AFC Motherwell Magic Moment:

Nathan Daly’s excellent clearance off the line kept his side in the match during the first half.

Clydesdale FA Magic Moment:

Conor Straub converted a late penalty, after providing the assist for the majority of his teammates goals it was the icing on the cake for the captain after a tremendous performance.