PICTURES: LiveArgyll girls football in aid of Christian Aid

Teams of girls from primaries across Helensburgh and Lomond met recently to help the fund-raising efforts for Christian Aid.

LiveArgyll Active Schools and Ardencaple FC organised the event at Hermitage Academy and welcomed almost 100 young players from nine primaries.

The Martha Murdoch Memorial Cup saw two pools of teams compete in a 7-a-side format.

Almost 100 players took part

Rosneath Primary, winners of the Martha Murdoch Memorial Cup

Arrochar Primary

Player of the Tournament Alexis Murray

Rosneath Primary won the day after seeing off St Joseph's Primary and John Logie Baird Primary.

Organisers hailed the an event of competitive football and great play that entertained spectators.

Cardross and Hermitage primaries had enough girls to field two 10-player squads.

In the first section, Hermitage 1 and Cardross 1 progressed to the semi-finals against Colgrain and Cardross 2.

Active Schools told the Advertiser: "The first semi-final with lots of good football on display witnessed Hermitage Primary take the spoils with a narrow 1 – 0 victory, the goal scored by Player of the Tournament Alexis Murray.

Cardross 2

Colgrain Primary

Garelochhead Primary

"The second semi final was an even closer affair with nothing to separate the teams after normal play and Cardross 1 managing to hold their nerves and edge out Colgrain on penalties.

"The final was another fantastic display of football with end to end action and a string of great saves by both keepers to keep the score line 0 – 0 at full time.

"Even after extra time a winner couldn’t be decided meaning once again a match would go to penalties.

"For the second time in the tournament Cardross 1 showed great composure taking penalties to close out the game as winners."

Euan Birss, from Ardencaple FC, said: “Ardencaple FC are keen to progress girls football opportunities and build on our strong partnership with LiveArgyll Active Schools to increase the number of girls playing football at the local schools. 

Hermitage 2

John Logie Baird Primary

Hermitage 2

Martha Murdoch Memorial Cup Winners Cardross 1

Rhu Primary

St Joseph's Primary

"This will hopefully lead to more girls joining Ardencaple through the school to community club links developed further increasing participation numbers."

Committee members from Helensburgh Christian Aid helped run the event, which was sponsored by Helensburgh Toyota.

Organisers thanked Ardencaple FC and in particular Euan Birss providing much needed support on the night and to Clive Charters, Andy Black, and Ardencaple FC girls coach Phil Mainka, and Martin O’Brien-Barden for photographs.

Ardencaple FC girl’s squads also welcome any new players to attend their training nights on Monday and Thursday from 6pm to 7pm. If Interested please contact Phil Mainka on 07825 502214, on Facebook at ardencaplegirlsfootballclub or by email on ardencaplegirlsfootball@gmail.com.