Youth footballers have a ball – starring Lenzie, EDFC and more...

Lenzie knew that in the second half Clydebank would try to up their game and they would have to work harder and keep concentrating in order get anything. Clydebank’s trademark long-ball game finally paid off and they went 1-0 up.

Clydebank soon doubled their lead when the referee failed to stop an infringement by the Clydebank striker on Lenzie defender Owens, which left the striker with an easy finish.

It was soon 3-0 when a long-range Clydebank free-kick was floated into the box and somehow found its way into the back of the net.

Lenzie clawed one back through a Corey Irvine penalty, but the referee wasn’t slow on balancing it out by rewarding Clydebank a penalty moments later.

Lenzie won a free-kick on the edge of their opponents’ box which Irvine, bagging his second of the game, drove home to make it 4-2 in Clydebank’s favour.

Although it was a defeat, Lenzie can be proud of their team spirit and work rate.

Pictured is Lenzie’s Corey Irvine in blue.

* Lenzie U17s played their first league game of the season wearing their new strip – kindly donated by loyal sponsor Walter McKnight Electrical Services Ltd. The team is pictured with Mr McKnight. Lenzie Youth Club would like to thank Walter for his ongoing generosity.

* The 1998s section of the 28th Lenzie YC Football Festival produced an excellent day of football on Sunday.

Holders Milngavie retained their title courtesy of a 1-0 final triumph over Riverside Blues – the winner coming from Robbie Nicholl two minutes from time.

For hosts Lenzie YC, it was success in the Plate once again, with goals from Jack Duffin and Greg Burns securing a 2-1 victory over Balloch Eastfield.

Lenzie had earlier beaten Balloch in the pool stage, with Duffin (2) and Burns also scoring in that match, before losing 1-0 to Riverside and drawing 0-0 with Milngavie.

Tournament secretary Karen Graham was pleased with the event. She said: “It went really well. I think all the teams enjoyed the festival and found it useful preparation for the new league season.”

Jack Duffin was the Lenzie YC Player of the Day.

* EDFC Under-17s started game one of the new season with real purpose and determination on Sunday, and were heading for victory and three points before disaster struck!

The team looked strong, assured and determined with Ryan in goal protected by Calum at right back, Nathan on the left and Scott and Cass in the centre. Scott and Cass completely bossed the defence, while Calum was gritty and controlled at right back and Nathan worked hard on the left.

The midfield were excellent with Stephen Conroy working like a terrier, Altin taking up good positions and linking play, and Chrissy pounding forward with lung-bursting runs to support the strikers. Club captain Dom was in a new midfield role and kept good possession, and made a number of great runs and strong tackles in a competent display.

Busby were rattled as EDFC produced a string of controlled passing moves that were finding strikers Serge and Samo. Samo struck a peach of a free-kick that produced a stunning save from the big Busby stopper. Samo also struck the woodwork before the end.

Five minutes after half-time defensive wobbles saw Busby go one-up. Busby slotted a ball through and the failure of the whole line to step out allowed a big Busby striker to run through. He skipped around Ryan before being chopped down by the EDFC keeper. The resulting penalty was dispatched to put Busby one-up. Ryan fortunate to receive only a yellow card.

Busby Amateurs smelled blood and started to attack down the left side with good effect – producing their next two goals with fine right-foot strikes.

The final score was 3-0 for Busby Amateurs. Man of the match – Calum Johnstone.

* Lenzie YC U13 (2001) won their second festival in seven days at Alexandria at the Dumbarton Riverside festival – following on from their win at the Cumbernauld Colts tournament.

Lenzie overcame P&D side Dumbarton Utd 3-1. Next up was DFDL side Drumchapel, drawing 0-0, then they recorded a win against another DFDL side Clydebank 4-0. That saw Lenzie top the group. Waiting in the final were G&DYFL side Westerton BC who won their section undefeated so a close-fought game was expected. Lenzie had a few early chances and LYC keeper Wylie made a fine one-on-one save before Thompson opened the scoring midway through the game. Five minutes later Groom scored a fine solo effort to clinch the game for Lenzie. The victorious Lenzie squad are pictured.

* East Dunbartonshire Football Club is now gearing up for the new football season with a sense of achievement and purpose. The club gained the Quality Mark award last season as a result of the hard work put in by the many coaches and volunteers who work hard to provide organised football for children and young people from five to 18 years.

The club this coming season has nine teams participating in 11-a-side football across a variety of leagues run under the umbrella of the Scottish Football Association. They have a girls team in the Women’s Central League for girls aged 12 to 14 years. The other teams operate from under-13 to under-17 years.

The club also boasts an Academy for young children aged five to seven, meeting on a Saturday morning. They have teams at all age groups participating in fun fours and seven-a-sides.

The teams train mainly at Turnbull High School in Bishopbriggs.

For more information visit www.eastdunbartonshirefootballclub.co.uk

* After School Football re-starts on Monday, August 26, at Lenzie Academy astro pitch, from 5.15pm till 6.30pm, and once again covers P7, P6 and P5 pupils from the local primaries who are enthusiastic about football. Senior players from Lenzie Youth Club will do the coaching, with adult supervision. This is a joint venture with Active Schools and Lenzie Academy, and will include small-sided games and basic football coaching, As initially it is “outside” those coming along should dress for the weather.

* Lenzie 2002 Yellows – Lenzie Youth Club have this ‘soccer sevens’ side started, but would like to add some players. They train on Wednesdays and play on Saturday mornings. Any youngsters in local P7 or P6 classes who are enthusiastic about football and would like to join an SFA Quality Mark club who play and train locally, should contact Mr Stevenson on 0141 775 0322 for more information.

Lenzie YC 1999............. 7

Blantyre Victoria.......... 2

Fresh from their recent win at the Cumbernauld Colts Tournament, Lenzie opened their new season with a convincing win to put them top of the LFDA League.

On 15 minutes the hard-working Scott Gillies won the ball on the left and slipped an inch-perfect ball into the path of Conor Brodigan. Last year’s top scorer angled a perfect shot low past the keeper’s left hand into the net.

On 25 minutes Sean Erwin hit a free-kick to the back post and there was Brodigan to head it back across goal to Cammy Smith, who smacked the ball goal-wards. A fine save stopped it crossing the line, but Mark McCreath pushed the rebound past the keeper – 2-0.

On 34 minutes a long kick-out from Ross Williamson in the Lenzie goal was beautifully brought down by McCreath who linked up with Brodigan in a neat one-two through the middle before jinking past two defenders and slipping the ball under the advancing keeper.

The half-time score was Lenzie 3 – Blantyre Victoria 1.

On 58 minutes a fine tackle in midfield from Fraser Crawford saw him pass the ball to McCreath, who found Brodigan with another great pass and he lobbed the keeper to make it 4-1.

A poor restart by Blantyre saw McCreath pick up the ball in midfield and again he found Brodigan in space. The wee man slipped the ball past the keeper for Lenzie’s fifth and his hat-trick – 5-1.

More neat play in midfield, this time from new boy Liam O’Connor, saw him break into the box in the 70th minute and find that man Brodigan for another goal – 6-2.

With two minutes to go Smith and Crawford worked well in midfield with Crawford sending a great pass to Sean Erwin, who ran past the defender to score low at the keeper’s right hand.

Lenzie Man of the Match – Cammy Smith.

For a trial with Lenzie YC 1999s contact Dave on 07919 212983. Training is on Tuesday and Friday nights – 7pm–8pm at Croy 3G Sports Hub.

* Have you got a story, picture or comment? E-mail [email protected]

Alternatively you can call the newsdesk 0141 775 0040, find us on Facebook or visit us on Twitter

Or you can log in below and have your say on the site...