Last gasp goal seals Drumsagard cup final victory

It was cup final day at Rockburn Park in Bellshill as Drumsagard U13s took on Larkhall Thistle in the Central Lanarkshire Youth Football Association A Division Cup Final. A late goal from Aiden Connelly sealed the victory for Drumsagard with a 3-2 win.

Larkhall did not have to wait long for their first chance of the game as it came just inside 5 minutes. Striker William Wilson was played through, and he showed frighting pace to get away from his man, but his shot just went wide of the post.

Wilson soon found the back of the net though, to open the scoring. He ran through one-on-one with the keeper and slotted the ball home to make it 1-0 in just 6 minutes.

Larkhall continued to create chances with Wilson hitting the post, but the Drumsagard backline defended well to stop them from increasing the deficit.

Although Larkhall had a great start it was cancelled out as Drumsagard were awarded a penalty after a foul on Aiden Connelly. Alfie Robb stepped up to take it and he fired the ball home to level the score on 17 minutes.

This gave Drumsagard confidence as they created some good chances, and their hard work was rewarded as a great flowing move saw Jayden Duffy played in on goal. His right-footed shot found the bottom corner to take the lead.

Lots of great midfield play and some very well-worked goals provided a very good first half.

Larkhall were eager to get an early goal in the second half and they got just that as they were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute when Leo Hall was fouled in the box. Aidan O’Reilly stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the net to level the score at

2-2 and pull his side back into the game.

The next big chance fell to Drumsagard in the 64th minute as Max Juskowiak whipped in a dangerous freekick, which almost sneaked into the near post, but keeper Lewis Kerr was able to make the save.

Drumsagard kept creating and got another chance when Connelly took it around the keeper but unselfishly played the ball across to Leyton McCall. However, great defending from Larkhall deflected the shot out for a corner in the 71st minute.

Both teams were giving it their all in the last 10 minutes fighting for a winner. The game was end-to-end with chances for both teams, but great pressing from Drumsagard found Aiden Connelly one-on-one with the keeper and he buried the ball into the back of the net to put Drumsagard 3-2 up with the last kick of the game sending his side’s supporters into wild celebrations.

In the end, Drumsagard were the deserved winner having played some great passing football all game and scoring some great goals. Larkhall fought till the final whistle playing some fabulous counter-attacking football and were unlucky not to get more from the match, but it just was not their day.

Larkhall Thistle Player of the Match: William Wilson

He looked very dangerous every time he was on the ball, showed blistering pace throughout the game and scored a great goal to put Larkhall ahead.

Drumsagard Player of the Match: Max Juskowiak

He showed excellent work rate all game. His excellent defensive shift throughout the match played a key role in their magnificent cup win.

Drumsagard Magic Moment:

Drumsagard’s magic moment must go to their last gasp winner from Aiden Connelly as it sealed the victory for them with the last kick of the game, showing the benefits of always fighting till the final whistle.

Larkhall Thistle Magic Moment:

Larkhall’s magic moment goes to their lightning-fast start as William Wilson opened the scoring with almost his first touch of the match.