ARDENCAPLE under-14s were presented with the league trophy at the weekend, rounding off a season which also seen them lift the League Cup earlier this month.

An excellent league campaign saw Ardencaple win their first 10 games of the season and go on to record an unbeaten run of 13 games, eventually clinching the league title with one game still to go.

Ardencaple led the league table for most of the season but despite some convincing wins and performances, they didn’t have it all their own way.

Their only league defeat, which came near the end of the season, gave the chasing teams a glimmer of hope.

This led to a tense game away to Oban where victory would all but seal the league title and defeat would leave them relying on other results going their way.

The home team started the stronger but the team spirit that Ardencaple had shown all year came to the fore. Once they started to play their high tempo passing game, they managed to work their way into the game and record a hard fought 1-0 victory.

Ardencaple president, Walter Smith, was on hand to present the boys with the trophy.

After the presentation, the boys took part in a parents vs boys match.

The parent’s team contained over 400 years experience between them, but despite an excellent hat-trick from Chico Livingston, an unbelievable display from Davie Walker in goals and the silky skills of 69-year-old Brian Grant, they still couldn’t prevent the boys running out the victors, winning a tense penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 3-3.

The club and coaches would like to thank everyone who came along to support the teams and for their continued support throughout the season.

The team’s manager David Grant said: “The boys have surpassed all expectations this year and I am very proud of every one of them. To be the first Ardencaple team to win the league and cup double is an excellent achievement and it is just reward for the effort they have put in this year.

“They always bring an element of fun towards training and match days and their attitude towards the coaches has certainly made our job a lot easier.

“As I have told them a number of times we will continue to provide the facilities for them to learn and develop as players but they have to bring the right attitude for it to work, and I am glad to say that has definitely been the case this year.

“Next year will bring new challenges and it will be hard to top the success of this season but we will continue to focus on their development as players and give them every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

“This season has allowed them to gain a lot of confidence and as long as they enjoy playing and we enjoy coaching it should be another good year for the team.”