Larkhall Thistle 2007s overcame some incredible odds to win the Milan 20th Anniversary Invitational tournament at St Ambrose High in Coatbridge earlier this month.
The team’s usual goalkeeper wasn’t available, so a kid who only joined them in June stepped up to the mark, and the players had to play the tournament in torrential rain.
Despite that, they won all five of their group games, scoring 19 goals and conceding none, which took them straight through to the final against host team Milan Black.
A 0-0 draw in normal time took the game to a penalty shoot-out, and Thistle held their nerve to win it 4-2, and bring the trophy back to South Lanarkshire.
Coach Corrie Riddell said: “I’m super proud of this group of boys, who have had a real roller coaster ride over the last couple of seasons.
“All credit to them, they have stuck together win, lose or draw, so it was great to see them singing in the rain as the cup winners.”
