Gartcairn grab the glory in league cup final

Another brilliant final played at Rockburn Park in Bellshill saw Gartcairn U13s take on AC Colts in the Central Lanarkshire Youth Football Association C Division League Cup Final. Both teams played some nice football at times, but it was Gartcairn who came out on top as 8-2 winners to make them champions.

The action started right from the first whistle as AC Colts took the lead early on through Tyler McCrorie as he picked up the ball from the halfway line and showed great pace to beat three men. His left-footed shot fired past the keeper to put Colts 1-0 up inside four minutes.

Their lead did not last for long though, as minutes later Gartcairn’s David Olabamiji was played through and managed to slot the ball in the net.

Gartcairn gained confidence and created some excellent chances including a goal line scramble after a fabulous ball in from Alfie Close almost put them ahead, but it was prevented by great defending from AC Colts.

Gartcairn soon did take the lead after Olabamiji got his second of the match. After the ball popped up nicely to him, he smashed it in off the crossbar with a spectacular volley to give the boys in blue the advantage not long before half-time.

AC Colts pushed for an equaliser before half-time, and they almost got It. A corner was whipped in and a free header for AC Colts was just put wide of the post, almost levelling things up.

Thirty seconds into the second half a corner was floated in, and Eli McClelland headed the ball home to make it 3-1 to Gartcairn.

Gartcairn were playing good football and they got another goal through Adam Wilkinson. His pinpoint volley found the bottom corner to make it 4-1 in the 51st minute.

A minute later Gartcairn added to their tally again as after some great midfield play, Connor Lambe was played through, and he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with a great finish.

Olabamiji was looking for his hat-trick and he got his chance after some great skill when he was brought down in the box, forcing the referee to point to the spot. He stepped up and calmly placed the ball into the back of the net to put his side 6-1 up.

Despite being down AC Colts kept fighting and they almost got one back with a dangerous cross which almost caught keeper Mikolaj Krol out, but he was on his toes to pull out a cracking save.

Gartcairn were on fire today as they got a seventh goal, from a short corner. Owen McBroom picked up the ball on the edge of the box and his well-struck shot found the bottom corner to put Gartcairn 7-1 up on 68 minutes.

An overall brilliant performance from Gartcairn was capped off with a fabulous Eli McClelland free kick to add to the score sheet.

AC Colts kept pushing for another one back and they got a very late consolation goal.  McCrorie showed more lightning pace to beat his man and he finished it off with a great finish in the 80th minute.

It was a brilliant performance from Gartcairn as they ran out 8-2 winners to claim their crown as CLYFA U13s C Division Cup champions. The Colts can hold their heads high though, as they kept fighting till the very end and deserve much credit for that.

Gartcairn Player of the Match: Eli Mclelland

His work rate was unreal. His defending was first-class, and he scored a banger of a header and a great free kick to help his side to victory.

AC Colts Player of the Match: Tyler McCrorie

He showed blistering pace and great skill throughout the match, capping off his performance with two very nice goals.

Gartcairn Magic Moment:

Olabamiji’s absolute rocket of a volley to put his side 2-1 up was his side’s magic moment. A great strike from the number 10, in off the crossbar proved to be a turning point in the match. A truly wonderful goal.

AC Colts Magic Moment:

Their lightning-fast start to the game gave them an incredible lead inside four minutes.