On Sunday the 12th of June, Threave Rovers Under 15’s travelled down to Newton Stewart to play in the final of the Alex Whiteside U15 Trophy against Greystone Reds, who were this season’s Under 15’s League Champions having gone through their league campaign undefeated.
After a good warm up the lads started the game on the front foot and weren’t giving Greystone anytime on the ball. Our passing and movement was a joy to watch with us creating lots of chances along the way.
Thomas was dominating the midfield with Ollie G and Lucas causing havoc in the wide areas with Lewis leading the line up front very well.
They got our reward after about 15 minutes when after another neat passing move got Lewis in on goal and he made no mistake with a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Rovers kept pushing and had further chances to score before we would extend their lead further.
Ollie G ran at the Greystone defence again and was fouled about 25 yards out just left of centre.
Thomas stepped up to deliver the free kick looking to put it into a dangerous area between the defence and the keeper.
Thomas hit it perfect and although the keeper got a hand to it, the ball flew high into the net.
The team were working very hard for each other with Jayden, Rory T, Moray, Olly H and Sami keeping the back door firmly shut and restricting Greystone to a few long range efforts on the break.
Threave had a few more chances with Ollie G and Lewis both going close with good efforts.
With a few minutes to go before half time, Greystone managed to pull a goal back after a bit of a scramble in the box the ball fell to their number 7 who cooly side footed it into the bottom corner.
Half Time- Greystone 1 Threave 2.
Back in the dressing room the Threave uner 15’s talked about how they had won nothing yet and that nothing was won or lost until that final whistle was blown.
The 3 subs were introduced although it was hard to pick who to take off as they had all played a great half of football.
Threave knew that Greystone would keep pushing and battling right to the end.
The second half started with Greystone on the front foot and then it was us looking to play on the break.
They created a few chances, but nothing really clear cut- any time they looked like getting an effort in it was blocked by Moray, Olly H or Jayden was there to make the save.
As the match went on they were defending for their lives, throwing their bodies on the line and generally showing just how much we wanted it.
Rovers had a scare when Greystone got their striker in one on one with Jayden and with both going for a 50/50 ball the ball cleared the bar, but the players clattered each other. Jayden came off the worst and had some nasty stud marks down both thighs, but what brave goalkeeping and although he was sore he was determined to continue. Another chance for Greystone, but Moray stopped the left winger with a brilliantly timed tackle that summed up the defence.
Threave were starting to get a few chances on the break as Greystone through player forward and after another good run Ollie G hit a shot from about 20 yards out that beat the keeper, but hit the bar.
Things were getting nervy towards the end and Dylan took a sore one and was lying on the edge of our box- Eventually after a shot Jayden had the ball and team coach Mark Geddes shouted for him to put the ball out so they could see if Dylan was ok.
Mark Said “Jayden calmly rolled the ball out for a corner😆 to give me and us all a heart attack(all learning!) After some treatment Dylan had to come off, which was probably more a result of the power of work and running he’d got through in the game.”
Onto the corner which was now in the last minute. Greystone had everyone up, including their goalkeeper and were literally throwing the kitchen sink at Threave. The corner came in and the ball bounced about in the box, before a shot came back off the post and then to everyone’s relief(manly Jayden’s) the ball was cleared.
Into injury time and still time for a few balls into the box that needed cleared before the referee blew for full time.
Mark Geddes said “The boys celebrated which is exactly what they deserved after the shift every one of them had put in.
Credit to Greystone as they showed why they were league champions and hit us with everything they had in the second half, but just couldn’t find a way past us.
Thank you to the match officials- first time myself and the lads have had proper linesmen and it made a big difference.
A massive thank you to Alex Whiteside and all at Galloway Thistle for your hospitality yesterday, for sponsoring the Trophy and providing the individual trophies.
To the parents a big thank you too for all the positive support not only yesterday, but over the course of the season. You all give lifts to our wee superstars all over D&G to provide them with the opportunity to play the game they love, so it was brilliant to see you all smiling and celebrating yesterday too.
The biggest thank you needs to go to the players as they gave absolutely everything yesterday and fully deserved their win as they are a great bunch of very talented footballers.
It’s been a long hard season with so many interruptions with Covid, trials and full of ups and downs, but these lads deserve enormous credit for the way the conduct themselves training hard, playing hard and being a great wee team. Probably yesterday was up there with the best I’ve seen them play- especially in the first half. Well done lads. Brilliant to see you receiving your trophies and the cup at the end.
Alex Whiteside also sponsored a man of the match and at the end after admitting there were a few contenders he chose Threave’s number 8- Thomas Brown. Well done Thomas you played awesome.”
Final Score
Greystone 1 Threave 2
Goal scorers for Threave-
Lewis ⚽️
Thomas ⚽️
Threave Rovers Under 15’s Alex Whiteside Trophy Champions 2021/22⚫️⚪️⚫️⚽️🏆
