Kilwinning Girls are Scottish champs

Jun 26 2009 Irvine Herald

Kilwinning SC 3 motherwell 2

KILWINNING Sports Club Girls Under-13s created history on Sunday by beating Motherwell 3-2 to lift the Scottish Cup.

A late Erin Cuthbert strike wrapped up the trophy - making them the first Kilwinning girls team to win a national competition.

Delighted coach Steve Cuthbert hailed the win as a “tremendous achievement” and singled out his defence for praise.

Kilwinning went into the final full of confidence after seeing off the likes of Dundee Utd, Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Celtic in earlier rounds.

But cheered on by a massive support at the new regional sports centre at Toryglen, the girls started nervously and the back line of Chelsie Watson and Rachel Hunter were tested early on by the speed of the Motherwell attackers.

Only last ditch defending and some brilliant goalkeeping by Hannah McLean kept Motherwell at bay in the early stages.

Kilwinning began to find their form, but couldn’t take their chances, and they were made to pay when Motherwell broke away to take the lead just before half-time.

Kilwinning’s second half pressure eventually paid off when striker Dana Baird received the ball in the box and skipped past her maker to fire home.

Erin Cuthbert then had a good effort well saved by the Motherwell keeper and Dana Baird headed over the bar from a corner.

Hayley Sinclair put Kilwinning 2-1 ahead when she latched on to a through ball and coolly finished left-footed.

Motherwell pushed everyone forward for an equaliser and despite some desperate clearances they finally put the ball in the net from a rebound.

With the game heading for extra time, Dana Baird chased a long ball forward and picked out Erin Cuthbert who drove the ball past the Motherwell keeper from the edge of the box to send the Buffs fans wild.

Coach Steve Cuthbert added: “The players worked so hard and I’m rpoud of every one of the. All credit to Motherwell who contributed to a great final."