Normandy triumph in Soccer Sixes

The annual Soccer Sixes competition took place at Queen of the South Arena on Sunday, with thirty teams from seveteen of the leagues twenty clubs taking part. In Group one Palmerston Colts B looked like they meant business as they won all six of their matches, conceding just one goal, they were joined in the quarters by Five Arches Bombers A who secured secong spot by winning five of their six games. Group two was much closer to call, Scaur A came out on top as they went undefeated through the section but they were only a point ahead of Youth United A who in turn finished just one point ahead of Nithside B who had looked favourites to progress til they lost their last match in the section giving Youth the chance to steal second spot. Scaur B took control of Group three with five wins and a draw seeing them through and the second qualifying spot was hotly contested, with Nithside A and Kelloholm playing out a goaless draw, which allowed Nithside to squeak through by a single goal on goal difference. Palmerston A set the early pace in Group four but were matched all the way by Normandy Star, and when they met Normandy came out on top to win the section. The quarter finals saw Palmerston A edge out Youth A by a single goal and Palmerston B joined them in the semis with a two goal win over Scaur B. Scaur A also fell at the first knockout hurdle as Five Arches A went through courtesy of a Golden Goal to meet Normandy Star who impressed in a three nil demolition of Nithside A. Normandy then made the final with a two nil victory over the Bombers while Palmerston A edged Palmerston B with a late goal. The final saw Normandy go from strength to strength, the first goal came from a penalty with the Palmerston defender adjudged to have played the ball inside the box, the second was a goal fit for the final though with an audacious chip from the right of the box, and a well worked third goal with Paul McCann cutting back for Kris Shannon to fire home proved Normandy worthy winners of a hotly contested competition.

Away from the Indoor tournament the leagues last two representatives in the Scottish Sunday Trophy bowed out after impressive runs. Hole in the Wa hosted Dundee Argyle and were behind after ten minutes as the Dundee striker raced onto a ball over the defence, lifted over the oncoming goalkeeper and cooly slotted home, it was two just before the half hour as a cross was parried and the visiting striker was on hand to knock home the rebound. Te second half started badly for the Wa as a wind assisted free kick sailed over the keepers head and in at the far post for a third, and minutes later a quick one two played in the Dundee attacker who slotted home as the Wa defence were looking for an offside call. Wa continued to try and find a way back into the match but Dundee looked dangerous every time they countered and they added a fifth on 75 minutes and with full time approaching grabbed a sixth to put a gloss on the scoreline. Jolly Harvester travelled to Cranhill United knowing they face a tough ask against the trophy holders, and a snow covered 3G park was an unexpected foe. A first half double from Nicky Paton had the Jolly well in the match despite being 4-2 down at the interval but Cranhill went up through the gears as Jolly legs began to tire and eventually ran out 9-2 victors. Both sides must be commended for their cup runs which have boosted the profile of the league on a national level.