Cardinal Newman champions after victory in league play-off

Cardinal Newman High football team with the Lanarkshire Schools trophy after beating Abronhill in the final at Wishaw.

The boys clinched the title with a hard fought 1-0 won over Abronhill High, from Cumbernauld, in the play-off final at a winday Beltane Park in Wishaw.

Abronhill started off on the attack and had a goal chopped off for offside within the first five minutes.

However, slowly but surely, Newman began to get a grip on the game and play their passing game.

This nearly paid off at the end of the first half when Marc Kelly was one on one with the Abronhill ‘keeper, but the ball bobbled and Marc failed to connect correctly.

The second half was all Newman who produced wave after wave of attacking football and the Abronhill ‘keeper was heavily involved and kept Newman at bay.

Abronhill had one clear cut chance in which Ryan Loney made a wonder save, continuing his heroics from the semi-final in which he saved three penalties.

Eventually, Newman made the breakthrough with five minutes to go.

The front four were all involved as Marc Skelton, Paul Mockus and Marc Kelly all linked up to split the defence for Barry Maguire to lob the outcoming ‘keeper.

This was Cardinal Newman’s league championship second victory in three years in the - they also reached the final but lost in the other season we lost.

The successful squad was Aidan McGhie, Michael Clarke, Paul Mockus, Marc Kelly, Ryan Loney, Marc Skelton and Jordan Simpson, Liam Bowie, Cole Dixon, Brian Martin, Barry Maguire, Craig Foy and Jack Hazlett.