East Kilbride win SYFA Central Regional Cup Final in youth football finale

East Kilbride Gold U18s ran out at Broadwood Stadium as the SYFA Central Regional Cup champions following a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Eddlewood FC, delivering silverware for their side in their last-ever youth football match.

If playing in a cup final at any given time was not enough, both sides knew that this was their last game of youth football as these were the U18s of both clubs representing in the final, only adding to the occasion.

East Kilbride enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening stages, before eventually taking the lead in the 18th minute. Szabolcs Kormos curled a stunning delivery into the middle of the penalty area and forward Callen Brown tidily directed the ball with his head into the bottom left corner to put his side in the driving seat.

East Kilbride maintained a high level of intensity within their performance and came close to doubling their lead before the half-time interval when Aiden Malcolm’s effort clipped the outside of the Eddlewood post. Moments later, Aaron McNulty’s spectacular overhead kick attempt was tipped over the crossbar, meaning East Kilbride took a slender one-goal advantage with them into the break.

The game looked to live up to a classic tale of two halves, as it was Eddlewood who came out swinging and enjoyed most of the momentum at the beginning of the half, before they won a penalty five minutes after the break, following a challenge on Rhys McGie.

Uzair Hakeem claimed the ball and fired down the middle from the spot to bring the scores level and give Eddlewood a revived sense of belief to take the trophy home.

Eddlewood continued to pile on the pressure as they sought to go ahead, but against the run of play, it was East Kilbride who went back in front. McNulty, who had come close to scoring in the first half, made no mistake on this occasion when he received the ball from a fired-in cross, taking one touch to set himself up, before firing home a powerful effort which nestled into the bottom right corner.

There was an outrage from the Eddlewood dugout who believed the goal should not have stood, as a child ran on the park from the corner where the build-up to the goal took place. However, the referee let the game flow as he deemed that the ‘invader’ was not close enough to the play to have been an interference, which was probably justified.

Just as the game seemed to be playing out to an East Kilbride victory, Eddlewood would stun the champions-to-be with a late equaliser through Ross Bremner. Bremner found himself high up the park and caught onto a through ball, being composure personified to coolly put the ball past the East Kilbride goalkeeper to make the final score 2-2 and send his game on its way to a penalty shoot-out.

The penalties went to the final taker, as East Kilbride won 4-3. Aidan Wilson stepped up for East Kilbride’s decisive final penalty kick, and he placed the ball into the middle of the goal to crown his side SYFA Central Regional Cup champions, as they bowed out of youth football in glory.

East Kilbride Gold Player of the Match: Callen Brown

Brown was instrumental in his side’s success. His headed finish for the goal was sublime as it takes some talent to direct a header the way he did from an equally beautiful delivery. Away from his goal, his eye for a pass was phenomenal and his general work rate kept his side going from the first whistle to the last.

Eddlewood Player of the Match: Keane Campbell

Campbell had a great game in this final contest. His passion was on display as he executed inch-perfect tackles and was a master at winning the ball back for his side. He was finding space with ease and most of Eddlewood’s attacks were going through Campbell in some shape or form.