Festival champs

GREYSTONE Rovers 2012s were crowned champions of the Valspar Festival – Fabian Greenan Memorial Cup – on Sunday after a thrilling day of football at Queen Margaret Academy, Ayr. The young side made a strong start in the group stages, defeating Valspar 3-1 thanks to goals from Josh (assist Aaron), Macca (assist Josh), and Jake (assist Ollie). A narrow 2-1 loss to Irvine Meadow in the following game, in which Joe scored from an Oscar assist, meant qualification went down to the final match. The boys responded in style, beating Neilston 2–0, with Josh grabbing both goals, to book their place in the semi-finals. In the semi-final, Greystone faced West Kilbride and produced a blistering start, scoring five times in the opening ten minutes. Goals from Jack, Ollie, Cam, Oscar and another from Ollie sealed a 5–0 victory and sent the team into the final. The final set up a rematch with Irvine Meadow, the only team to beat Greystone in the tournament. Determined to make amends, Greystone dug deep despite the heat and tired legs. A stunning long-range strike from Oscar gave them the lead, before he struck again midway through the second half, breaking free to round the keeper and make it 2–0. That was how it finished – Irvine Meadow 0–2 Greystone – and the full time whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among players, coaches and supporters.