Published: Saturday, 3rd May, 2008 11:00
Port youngsters are cock-a-hoop
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TOP TEAM: The successful Port Juniors youngsters who did Inverclyde proud in one of the country’s top tournaments.
PORT Glasgow Juniors Under-8s did superbly to win one of Scotland’s biggest football tournaments at Haven, Craig Tara, in Ayr.
Competing teams had travelled far and wide — from Northern Ireland to Musselborough.
The event attracted interest from top club scouts, and the presentations were made on the Sunday by ex-Rangers star Arthur Numan.
Port started with three games on the Saturday, the first against Cumnock in which Port ran out 6-2 winners.
The side made a good, solid start and remained strong throughout, with two outstanding goals from Shea Langan.
Next up were Girdle Toll, Port this time scoring five goals, and only conceding one in what was a much slower encounter.
Bellfield Rovers, unbeaten in 18 months and favourites for the tournament, were the final opponents on the opening day.
After a good start from both teams, Stephen Kelly ran through to put Port ahead, but two minutes later Bellfield equalised. Just before half-time Kelly made it 2-1 and then Langan nearly scored from the halfway line.
Bellfield started strongly in the second half, but good defending and excellent goalkeeping from Robbie Grey kept them at bay.
Stephen Kelly then played in McKenzie Morgan, and he hammered in a third goal for the Juniors.
The Bellfield team looked rather stunned and were in total disarray when Kelly completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1. This ended a great first day for the Juniors.
Port kept up their fine form on Sunday, trouncing Hillsborough 9-0.
The Juniors proved too strong for the team from Northern Ireland, and played some great football with Lewis McGrattan, Ciaran Boyd and Jack Lindsay contributing very well.
The final game of the tournament, against Scotland Boys, got off to a flyer with two very good finishes from McKenzie Morgan.
Then two great individual goals from Stephen Kelly were followed by two from Jack Lindsay, with a great display from Jack Tourish throughout as Port triumphed 6-1.
Tournament scorers: Stephen Kelly 11, McKenzie Morgan 7, Jack Lindsay 5, Shea Langan 5, Lewis McGrattan 2, Stuart Boag 1.
All the youngsters had a fantastic tournament. Defensively, Stuart Boag, Jack O’Hagan and Ross Canavan were solid in every game and this helped to build a great team spirit.
Goalkeeper Robbie Grey won the Molten Golden Ball award in the under-8s category.
Stephen and Hugh would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all parents, grandparents and to sponsors ABC Taxis and McGill’s for their continued support.
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McGuffie goal rounds off long week
