Gowdie sides celebrate historic trophy haul

GOLDENHILL Boys Club under-21s recently completed a superb double with victory over league rivals Rutherglen Glencairn in the Golden Goals Cup Final.

The cup win came days after the team were crowned West of Scotland under-21s Premier Division champions becoming the first team in the history of the league to complete their league campaign undefeated in the process.

The goals in last Sunday'’s Cup Final came from a Calum Gow header from a corner-kick and a smart finish from striker Danny Gibson to give them a two goal cushion at the interval. Before Gibson added to his tally with the third and final goal of the game to seal the victory on the hour mark and send the noisy Gowdie support into raptures of celebration.

In truth the Gowdie boys were comfortable throughout the match with Sean Diamond in goal making only one stop of note.

His defensive line of Gow, skipper Davie Manley, the dependable Rab O'’Neill and Ally McCabe never gave their opponents an inch. In midfield the combative Andy Campbell dovetailed superbly with Richard Henry to provide a base which allowed the creative talents of Ryan Coll, Shaun Kelly and Lewis Kinnaird to assist Gibson in making life troublesome for the Glens backline.

Gowdie’s league campaign seen them finish with 21 wins and three draws from their 24 matches as they created history by going undefeated in Scotland’s top Youth Football League outside the professional game.

The Premier Division included some highly reputable under-21s sides including runners-up Tower Hearts, Scottish Cup winners Harmony Row, local rivals Antonine BC and cup final opponents Glencairn who themselves had got their hands on the Lady Darling Cup a week previously.

Considering all these top sides it really does make Goldenhill’s achievement all the more remarkable.

Now over 40 years established, Goldenhill Boys Club haven'’t always managed to compete at the top end of under-21s football but the recent teams have knocked on the door and picked up trophies along the way before this season’s group firmly established the club as a big name at their level.

With over half of the squad eligible to play again next season it'’s hoped that more success is on it’s way for the club. For the players moving on from boys club football there is sure to be plenty suitors from the junior game and even senior clubs.

Squad: Dan Burns, Sean Diamond, Sean Toye, Kerr Allan, Calum Gow, Ally McCabe, Kieran O’Brien, Rab O’Neill, Scott Smith, Andy Campbell, Ryan Coll, Richard Henry, Shaun Kelly, Lewis Kinnaird, David Manley, Ryan McColl, Jonny Dyer, Danny Gibson, Ally Graham, Gary Hynes and Jamie Kerr.

Under-17s Goldenhill under-17s were also crowned league champions recently after a 7-5 thriller away to Hillington. Gowdie looked to be cruising at one point with a 4-1 lead only to find themselves level at 5-5 in the games closing stages after some terrible defending as nerves seemed to kick in.

But star striker Sean ‘Smudge’ Smith was to be the hero with two late goals to seal their second consecutive league title. A great achievement for all the players and coaches involved.

The boys will now make a big step up to under-19 football next season. Any players interested in being part of next season’s campaign and born in 1997 or 1998 are encouraged to contact Andy Young on 07984 319 304.

Further congratulations are due to Goldenhill AFC who since their birth have achieved three consecutive promotions to go from the bottom to top division in the Scottish Amateur Football League.

The Gowdie Ams have also managed to pick up cup silverware along the way including a 4-2 victory in this season’s Centenary Cup Final over Finnart AFC from the Premier Division in which Gowdie will compete next season.

Gowdie'’s hero on the night was captain Jamie Gallagher who twice produced equalising goals from free-kicks before Marc Morrison'’s screamer put them in front, Campbell Hamilton added a fourth late on to seal the victory in front of a large Gowdie support.