A boys football team from Dundee ‘created history’ after winning the Scottish Youth FA Cup for the first time.
Dundee West 2008 Royals were crowned champions after beating Stenhousemuir 3-2 in a dramatic clash at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie on Sunday.
Backed by up to 500 supporters, the U14 side were 1-0 down at half-time before turning the game around to lead 2-1, thanks to goals from Keiran Luke and Robbie Gilchrist.
FULL TIME IN AIRDRIE
Dundee West 08 Royals 3-2 Stenhousemuir
🏆SCOTTISH CUP CHAMPIONS🏆 https://t.co/kfe4UvjGFI
— Dundee West FC (@DundeeWestFC) May 22, 2022
The side were dealt a blow when Stenhousemuir levelled the scoring with a long-range effort right at the death, which looked likely to take the game to extra time.
But in added time, up stepped Callum Luke – Keiran’s cousin – to head in the winner sparking wild scenes.
Winner sparks ‘amazing scenes’
“The place just erupted,” head coach Richie Webster told Courier Sport.+
“Nerves played a part in the first half but they came out like a different team in the second.
“The boys were brilliant. They did what they’ve being doing all season.
“They just don’t know when they’re beat.
“As soon as they scored, all the players just ran towards the fans behind our dugout. It was amazing scenes.
@inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup | Celebrations by Dundee West FC Royals#SYFAinspireCup #inspired@DundeeWestFC @Jedinspiresport pic.twitter.com/XQy8bIK7YE
— Scottish Youth FA (@ScottishYouthFA) May 22, 2022
“Some of the younger age groups, with their Dundee West kits, came through.
“One of them had a drum and they made up all these songs throughout the game – they were just tremendous.”
Webster, who coaches the team alongside Brian Hewitt, Ross Forbes and David Luke, said the cup win was one of the best moments he’s had in the 10 years at the club.
He believes the occasion will be one his young players will never forget, either.
‘Cup win they’ll never forget’
“It was an amazing day with a big build up and to win it the way they did, the emotions were all over the place,” Webster said.
“They scored in the last minute; we then go up the other end to win the game – it was just unbelievable.
“They will remember this for the rest of their lives. It’s something they’ll tell their grandkids in years to come.
“They are the first Dundee West boys’ team in the 37-year history to win the Scottish Cup. They have created history for the club.”
The youngsters came back to Dundee to be met with a heroes’ welcome, before celebrating their success.
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🏆
Congratulations to @DundeeWestFC Royals U14s, inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup winners 2021/22!
(Photo: Scottish Youth FA) pic.twitter.com/QVk40Vw2uf
— YFS (@yfst) May 22, 2022
“The players took the cup on the bus on the way back,” Webster said.
“We had a function at Nine Maidens, which was to celebrate the season regardless of the result.
“They were the last bus to get back and everybody welcomed them back on the bus back.
“There were flares going off and everything, the place was mobbed.”
The Scottish Youth Cup win completed a treble of trophies for the Dundee West 2008 Royals this season.
They beat Montrose to lift the Dundee West Anniversary Cup in March before winning the DS Rennie League title.
The boys’ cup win is the second national trophy for Dundee West after the girls team were victorious in 2007.
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