Hockey: Kelburne starlets win Scottish Cup

Jun 5 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

A YOUNG Azzurri Kelburne Under-14 team retained the Scottish Cup at a sun- drenched Peffermill in Edinburgh.

And the battling Buddies won their treasured trophy in the most nerve-racking of fashions, beating local rivals Clydesdale in the final 3-1 on penalty flicks.

Earlier in the day the Kelburne squad came through the group stages comfortably without losing a goal and with some great performances.

They opened the day with a comfortable 5-0 victory over BAMBC, then followed it up with a cracking 4-0 win over Dunfermline Carnegie.

Next up for the Azzurri were Dundee Wanderers but they were quickly despatched back to Tayside on the receiving end of a 4-0 scoreline.

In the semi-final the young Kelburne squad blew a physical Inverleith side away with arguably their best performance of the day, winning the game 5-1.

Then it was the final where Kelburne faced Clydesdale, who had defeated them in the West District Final by a golden goal.

Kelburne took the game to Clydesdale and had two goals ruled out by the umpires for being outside the shooting area, although one in particular from Molly Godfrey looked a harsh call.

But the Paisley side did not let this setback get to them and their defence, marshalled by Connor Bain and Jack McAllister, kept Clydesdale at bay and rarely did Clydesdale threaten Laurie Kirkland in the Kelburne goal.

The Kelburne midfield trio of Alison Hendry, Adam McInnes and Ed Greaves completely dominated their local rivals and it was a real surprise for the game to finish goalless with Andrew Duff, Amy McIntyre, Drew Berry and Jack MacKenzie all going close.

A late injury to Connor Bain meant a team shuffle just before the end of the match and Adam McInnes saved on the goal line when Clydesdale’s only shot of the second half evaded Laurie Kirkland in the Kelburne goal.

When the final whistle went it was Clydesdale that were the relieved team as they had survived the Kelburne onslaught.

Ed Greaves, a star on the day for Kelburne, took the first flick only for the Clydesdale keeper to save, and Laurie Kirkland then saved Clydesdale’s opening flick.

Alison Hendry then coolly converted her flick to put Kelburne 1-0 ahead, only for Clydesdale to equalise, narrowly evading Kirkland’s attempt in the Kelburne goal for 1-1.

Jack McAllister also scored with a well-taken flick low into corner, giving the Clydesdale keeper no chance.

The next player for Clydesdale then missed the goal entirely to give Kelburne a 2-1 lead.

Andrew Duff then scored a brilliant flick high in off the keeper’s helmet to give Kelburne a 3-1 lead, with the Clydesdale striker knowing he needed to score to keep the game alive.

And it was Kirkland who brilliantly dived low to her left to ensure Kelburne retained the cup.

Azzurri Kelburne captain Adam McInnes lifted the trophy and thanked all for making it such a great day for Kelburne.

Special thanks also went to Michael Nicol who umpired all day superbly.

A club spokesman said: “This was a fantastic achievement by such a young Kelburne squad with seven of this squad still available next season.”

The winning squad comprised the following players: Connor Bain, Drew Berry, Andrew Duff, Molly Godfrey, Ed Greaves, Alison Hendry, Laurie Kirkland, Jack MacKenzie, Jack McAllister, Adam McInnes and Amy McIntyre, while the coaches were Neil Godfrey and Duncan McInnes.