After the success of previous year’s events and feedback, this year’s Paul Jones Football Festival introduced a Girls only league. Four teams entered along with thirteen mixed teams giving 17 teams in total with just under 170 children competing in the annual event.
The event which is organised by the Council’s Active Schools and Community Sport Team in the Stewartry was again open to all Stewartry Primary schools. The finals day at St Mary’s 3G Pitch proceeded a four week League which this year had to again be split into two as thirteen mixed teams entered and the four girls only teams which played on weeks 1, 3 and the finals day.
The event included stages at Saint Cuthbert Wanderers FC, Kirkcudbright, Dalry High School, Glenkens, Threave Rovers FC, Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Star FC, Dalbeattie, before the finals day again at Saint Cuthbert Wanderers 3G pitch on Saturday 18 June.
The Paul Jones festival has been supported by the Paul Jones Bakery in Kirkcudbright since its creation and Mr Richardson was there to hand out the medals to the finalists after a hard fought day for all the teams.
Teams from Auchencairn, Borgue, Crossmichael, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Dalry Gatehouse, Hardgate, Kirkcudbright, Lochrutton, Twynholm and two Dalbeattie partnership team from Colvend, Palnackie and Kirkgunzeon were split into an A League and B League for the finals based on league standings throughout the four weeks.
Again every team played at the finals day with the top two from each league playing off in the final to see who won the trophy.
The Girls only league had teams from Castle Douglas, Crossmichael/Gelston partnership, Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright. Before the Finals day, Castle Douglas had only recorded a single point from their six matches but with a blank canvas at the finals day they won two games and drew the other to qualify with Kirkcudbright who beat Gatehouse in their last game to qualify.
In the final, the match was so closely contested that after the ten minute game neither team had scored meaning a further five minutes of extra time was required. Castle Douglas were determined to do a Leicester City and popped up with two goals to lift the first Girls league trophy.
In the B league after the hard fought round robin league the top two teams were Gatehouse and Hardgate who both topped the league with 12 points each from Lochrutton and Twynholm who ended up on 9 points apiece.
After an even first 5 minutes Gatehouse took the lead and with a minute left made sure of victory to win the final from Hardgate 2-0 and lift the B league trophy.
In the A league with the last set of fixtures left, no less than 4 teams were still in with a chance of making the final. Castle Douglas led the way on 8 points, a point ahead of Kirkcudbright and Crossmichael but played Dalbeattie who were only a further point behind and still had an outside chance if they could beat Castle Douglas.
Neither team could break the other down which left the door open for Kirkcudbright and Crossmichael to win their remaining games and qualify for the final.
Again the A League final was a tight affair with the only goal coming midway through the game for Kirkcudbright who were pushed all the way by the Crossmichael team but just fell short.
Another new introduction to the finals day was done by the Paul Jones Bakery with a player of the day in each league. In the Girls league Kirkcudbright’s Gemma Storey won the player of the day chosen by Threave Rovers FC and Kirkcudbright youth coach Michael Houston. In the B league Sophie Ingram of Twynholm was awarded the trophy which was chosen by Saint Cuthbert Wanderers Chairman Richard Davis and in the A League Kirkcudbright’s Brooklyn Milroy was Saint Cuthbert Wanderers striker Andrew Donnelly’s choice.
The Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie said:
“I am delighted that so many young footballers are competing in the Stewartry and especially delighted to see the introduction of the female only league in this year Paul Jones festival. Giving children the best start in life is a top priority for our Council, and festivals like this help us achieve that by letting the kids take part, stay fit and active and increase their skills in team working and leadership. Well done to everyone who took part in the Festival.”
Our Council wishes to thanks Norman Richardson from the Paul Jones Bakery for sponsoring and presenting the trophies as well as Saint Cuthbert Wanderers, Threave Rovers FC, Dalbeattie Star FC, Dalry School and all volunteers, helpers and schools.
