Helensburgh Advertiser | Sport | Birss hat-trick takes Burgh boys into semis

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 3rd April, 2008 09:00

Birss hat-trick takes Burgh boys into semis

By David Christie

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JUBILANT: Talented Burgh team

Celtic Boys Club U15s 2 - Helensburgh FC U15s 3

THE Burgh side showed their metal in this pulsating quarter final tie of the Regional Cup, twice coming back from a goal down to deservedly win this demanding and exciting football match.

While Celtic started nervously, Helensburgh was confident and creative, passing and moving briskly around the pitch as they took the game to their hosts.

Celtic struggled to cope as they found themselves pinned in their own half for the first 20 minutes, but, against the run of play, a long ball caught out the HFC defence and their striker chipped the advancing Burgh goalie to take the lead.

HFC responded positively and once more pressed Celtic, creating several chances.

With half time approaching, HFC advanced down the left side through winger Alistair McCabe who fed Andrew Cunningham. He rounded the keeper, only for the defender to bring him down.

From the resultant penalty, Ross Birss sent the keeper the wrong way to level the score.

The Burgh Boys again started confidently in the second half: Adam Doherty struck a shot just wide of the goal, then on 55 minutes a long throw by Connor Hull reached Ross Birss on the edge of the box whose audacious overhead kick was excellently saved.

As the game opened up, Celtic forged ahead once more, but Helensburgh continued to peg Celtic back and on 70 minutes, captain Jamie Hartley carried the ball out of defence, danced through the Celtic midfield and played a measured pass to Adam Doherty on the right wing.

He in turn delivered an inch perfect cross to the far post for Birss to header home the equaliser.

And it didn’t take long for the winner, coming just three minutes later. Richard Henry’s shot was deliberately blocked by a defender’s arm and Birss scored his second from the spot to complete his hat-trick and take HFC into the semis.

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