Ferry Athletic proved to be too powerful a force for Fairmuir Boys to contain in a fast-paced and exciting U16s Stewart Angus Cup final on Sunday. The two sides met on a beautiful day at Dundee North End in the second of the day's regional cup finals to be played at the ground.

The game started with Ferry Athletic kicking off and showing attacking intent, although mostly in the form of peppering shots at Steven McIlravey’s goal. The 'keeper played his part for his team and kept the opposition at bay comfortably. Fairmuir were eager to impose themselves on the game, but their enthusiasm resulted in numerous free kicks on the edge of their penalty box. Ferry’s Jamie Matheson and Lewis Dunn fired shots towards the Fairmuir goal but again McIlravey did well  to keep the score level.

In the opening twenty minutes the play was open, players found space with slick passing from both sides and the game was very much box-to-box, when not being stopped for petty fouls, as both sides sought dominance. Ferry had a penalty claim turned down in the twenty-second minute when the ball struck Fairmuir captain Calum Ross on the hand. Whilst there was clear contact the referee correctly waved play on. More ball to hand than hand ball, and completely accidental; there were no real protests from Ferry.

As the game continued, the passion of both teams was starting to show. Knowing it was all or nothing both teams got stuck in, but despite the high foul count there were no dangerous challenges and a small talking to was the extent of referee McMillan’s involvement in the first half. Both sides went into the changing rooms at half time without having created any clear cut chances. Ferry Athletic were slightly on top and enjoyed slightly more possession and far more shots at goal than their opponents. Most of these shots came from free kicks or from well outside the box, as the Fairmuir defence held strong to keep their opponents out.

Half Time: Fairmuir Boys 0 – 0 Ferry Athletic

Summary: The first half was typically energetic and lively but tight and both sides seemed reluctant to push too hard in fear of losing a goal. It seemed highly likely that the first goal would be crucial. Ferry had looked the more dangerous and would be keen to keep pushing, whilst Fairmuir were being outmuscled in the middle of the park and would need to address this before they could press for a goal.

The second half began and from the start Ferry showed signs of hunger as they upped their work rate. They started to force and hassle their opponents. Instrumental in this pressing was Dunn and his midfield partner Sam Simpson, who closed down, tracked runs and worked to break down Fairmuir attacks, as well as proving constantly threatening going forwards.

Just six minutes after the restart Ferry got their first goal. Dunn headed clear from a corner and found Ryan Mitchell on the half-way line, who then played a looped ball behind the defenders. Wilson beat both Fairmuir players for pace as he latched on to the pass and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper. Despite his solid performance in the first half, McIlravey could do nothing about the composed shot to the bottom right corner of his goal in the fifty-second minute.

The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Fairmuir, as within seconds of the goal another break looked on for Ferry before a brilliant make-or-break tackle on the edge of his area from Calum Ross. His efforts proved to be in vain though as minutes later (56”) a poor clearance was picked up on the edge of the Fairmuir box by Lee Munro, who took a touch to settle before putting the ball into the bottom right corner. 2 – 0. Great finish, left the keeper with no chance. Ferry had struck twice in the space of minutes.

The Fairmuir players tried to compose themselves and to hold on to the ball, but the Ferry players were growing in confidence and had more chances on goal. Their link up play at times was great, and of worthy mention is Cairn Gray at right back for Ferry. Gray was solid defensively and provided an extra attacking option, with several excellent crosses and countless runs opening up space for his team. His and the rest of his teams work paid off, as in the seventy-first minute Irvine picked up the ball on the right wing after a long cross field ball. His low and powerful shot-come-cross rifled into the bottom left corner, putting his team 3–0 up.

His team mate Dunn had demonstrated that he was unafraid of taking a shot on in the first half, and with a powerful shot he had looked dangerous earlier in the game. In the second half he seemed to be focused more on linking play, until he was presented with a sight of goal from thirty yards out. With one touch he set himself, before having a quick look up and then unleashing a thunderous strike straight down the mouth of the Fairmuir goal. The sheer power in the shot gave the keeper no chance, as his team saw themselves concede two goals within minutes of each other, again. The goal itself showcased Dunn’s own abilities as a footballer; the midfielder dominated his opponents and put in a Man of the Match performance for his team, just stealing the award from his team mate Cairn Gray.

Fairmuir struggled to get as much involved as they had been in the first half, and striker Reece Adam cut a lonely figure. The few times he was allowed space by the Ferry defence he looked dangerous and tried to link up with Seroggie, searching for a way past their opponents. Also worthy of mention is the effort of Lewis Adam, who was the Boys’ brightest hope as he tried to inspire his team mates by making runs forward and connecting with his forwards several times, only to be stopped by steadfast defending from Ferry. The players of Fairmuir could not get the break they so badly needed. In truth the Ferry team used the ball well to find gaps in the Fairmuir team, who needing to score were left exposed at times.

As the game began to reach its end, Fairmuir pushed and had a few half chances before they conceded again four  minutes from time. McIlravey came to meet a lofted ball into his box but the flight got the better of him and the ball landed in his net, unlucky from the goalie who despite the score line had made several great saves. The goal came slightly against the run of play as Fairmuir had seen more of the ball in the minutes leading up to it, with Lewis Adam and Seroggie linking up twice in the Ferry box (69” + 72”) but the goal ended any hope of a resurgence and highlighted even further the strength of this Ferry Athletic team.

Summary: In the first half Fairmuir Boys managed to live with Ferry Athletic, and the battle was closely contested. As the two teams squared up at the start of the second half the game could have gone either way. But Ferry started brighter and managed to get two early goals which shocked Fairmuir, who struggled to get back into the game despite flashes where they showed their capabilities in attack.

They were never allowed to get into second gear by a Ferry team whose quick, efficient passing and strong work ethic saw them play some wonderful football at times.

Athletic combined individual skill and great link up play all over the field from defence to attack, showing maturity and cohesion in all parts of the park they were composed and showed a strong mentality that will saw them win the Stewart Angus Cup Final 0–5 and will surely serve them well in the future.