Borderer Charlie strikes twice in schools final

Local lad Charlie scored both goals as Loretto defeated Stewart’s Melville College 2-1 at Glasgow Green in a competition which served up tremendous action and trophy-winning performances – just hours before a suspension of hockey was declared around the country, in line with coronavirus precautions.

The Senior Boys’ Cup final was the day’s main event and the atmosphere was electric as the match got under way.

There was a very even start to the contest, as Cameron Sword looked composed in the middle of the pitch for Loretto, while Jamie Croll looked the part for Stewart’s Melville College.

While both sides probed, no clear opportunities presented themselves. The game’s first chance went to Stewart’s Melville and a fizzed low penalty corner strike was cleared off the line at speed.

Henry Thomas, for Loretto, was denied a goal when his instinctive shot was well saved and the danger cleared.

Loretto threatened with a couple of penalty corners late in the first half but couldn’t find the net to capitalise.

Then Loretto opened the scoring with a sublime Charlie Jack drag flick into the left corner to make it 1-0.

Straight away, Stewart Melville’s Jamie Croll was denied twice when his drag flick was well saved at the left bottom corner and then the bottom right.

Then came the equaliser. A flick for Stewart’s Melville College was dispatched into the bottom left corner by Cameron Ede for 1-1.

The ‘keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out and the scores were level.

A short time later, another flick was awarded to Stewart’s Melville College and, this time, Ede was denied by a tremendous save at the bottom left corner.

Loretto then went 2-1 ahead with another Charlie Jack drag flick, a carbon copy of his first, rifled into the bottom corner with four minutes to play.

A late Stewart’s Melville College push couldn’t find another equaliser and Loretto held on to be crowned champions in the city.