Kilwinning U14 girls runners-up in Tesco Cup UK football final
- Local girl follows in footsteps of Grandfather Bobby Lennox after winning player award

Local team Kilwinning Sports Club U14 girls finished second in the Tesco Cup UK Final on Sunday at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. The team, who put in a great performance to reach the final game, narrowly missed out on winning the UK title, to Newry City Girls from Northern Ireland.

Kilwinning Sports Club demonstrated excellent teamwork in the semi-final, with a convincing 3-0 win over Prestatyn Girls from Wales and securing their place in the final. Kilwinning went on to face tough opposition from Newry Girls, as the two teams battled to be crowned UK champions. The game finished 2-0 to Newry.

Team Manager Kenny Mclean said, “It has been fantastic to have reached the UK final, all the girls have played their hearts out and I’m really proud of them. Now we have everything to play for next season. Today has been a great experience for both the players and the coaches and we will be doing our utmost to return in 2011!”

Former England international and Liverpool legend John Barnes attended the event and chose Nicole Simpson as Forward of the Tournament. Talented player Simpson has clearly inherited the skills of her grandfather Bobby Lennox, former Scotland international, Celtic player and member of the ‘Lisbon Lions’. Simpson’s teammate Corrie Cooper was selected as Defender of the Tournament.

John Barnes said, “The Tesco Cup provides a big boost for football in the UK. For a teenager playing in a youth tournament, it is a fantastic incentive to play on the hallowed turf of a premier league club. All the teams playing at the Reebok Stadium have put in a lot of work and dedication to get here and fully deserve to reach the UK final. I was impressed with the standard of play and I’m sure we have seen some future stars here today.”

Kilwinning Clinch Scottish Cup with dramatic late winner.


Kilwinning Girls U13’s were crowned Scottish Cup Champions on what was an historic day for the club. This was the first time any Kilwinning Girls team had reached a national final and they had done so in style beating the likes of Dundee Utd, Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Celtic on the way to the Final.

Cheered on by a massive support at the new regional sports centre at Toryglen the Girls started nervously against an impressive Motherwell side. The back line of Chelsie Watson and Rachel McPike were tested early on by the speed of the Motherwell attackers. A series of corners could have brought the opener for Motherwell but some last ditch defending, and some excellent goalkeeping from Hannah McLean kept the score goalless. Gradually the Kilwinning girls started to take control of the midfield area with Erin Cuthbert orchestrating things from the centre. Down the wings Hayley Sinclair and Alex Middleton were causing major problems to the Motherwell defence. Erin Cuthbert had a half chance but was pulled back by the Motherwell defence and blasted the resulting free kick over. Kilwinning continued to dominate possession but could find no way through the resolute Motherwell defence. The strong tackling Alex Middleton was excellent in the first half ensuring the Motherwell midfield never got going. Just as it seemed the teams would go in goalless at half time a quick Motherwell attack broke the deadlock.

The second half was a repeat of the first half with Motherwell looking dangerous on the break while Kilwinning had the bulk of the possession without really testing the Motherwell goalie. Eventually the pressure paid off when striker Dana Baird received the ball in the box and skipped past her maker to fire the ball home. The goal lifted the Kilwinning girls and they drove forward looking for the equaliser. Erin Cuthbert had a good effort well saved by the Motherwell keeper and Dana Baird headed over the bar from a corner. Eventually the pressure paid off when Hayley Sinclair received a through ball and coolly finished with her left foot to send the large Kilwinning crowd into raptures.

However Motherwell were not finished and they drove forward seeking the equaliser. Kilwinning’s midfield of Erin Cuthbert, Alex Middleton and Hayley Sinclair were working overtime to contain the Motherwell threat. Despite some last ditch tackles from Chelsie Watson and Rachel McPike Motherwell eventually equalised when a fierce shot was superbly saved by Hannah McLean only for the rebound to be stroked home by a Motherwell attacker. With the game seeming to be heading for extra time Dana Baird chased a long ball forward and after controlling well picked out Erin Cuthbert at the edge of the box who drove the ball past the despairing dive of the Motherwell keeper to send the Buffs fans wild. Emma Delury, Jane Drauz-Brown and Leia Swan came on for the Buffs to ensure the Cup went to Kilwinning.

Coach Steve Cuthbert said “What a tremendous achievement from all the girls. They worked so hard for this and there were some tremendous performances especially from the defence, but I must mention Alex Middleton who played superb in the first half and Hannah Mclean who pulled off a brilliant save at the death. All credit to Motherwell who contributed to a great final.” Colin Hunter of Kilwinning Sports Club added “ I was so nervous during the game but ultimately proud of the performance and the achievement. A big thank-you to the tremendous support and I believe the celebrations back in Ayrshire went well into the night!”