Grassroots: Open day victories for St Pat's, Vale of Leven Amateurs and Young Sons

St Patrick's FPs 2-0 2-1 Gartcosh Utd

Saints began their attempt to win the Central Scottish Premier League for the third year in a row with a hard-fought victory at Dumbarton Common on Saturday.

The visitors took a shock lead in the second minute when a long ball from their keeper sent their winger scampering down the wing and, from his cross, Saint’s Ross Cannon’s attempted clearance flew into his own net.

Saints were stunned and immediately set about getting an equaliser, and their efforts were rewarded in the 10th minute when Ciaran McElroy, who tormented the visitor’s defenders all afternoon, turned the fullback inside out before sending over a delightful cross to an unmarked Dylan Molloy at the back post, and he bulleted his header home from eight yards.

The game then became a hard slog with Saints failing to find any rhythm against opponents who launched long balls and long throw-ins at their defence all afternoon.

With the game being played in blistering sunshine, Saints coach O’Brien made changes on the hour mark which gave his team much needed fresh legs.

Although the Saints were not at their best they were the dominant team and in the 70th minute they took the lead spectacularly.

Substitute Conor McLaren headed a ball through which gave Shaun Wallace some room to manoeuvre and, on the second bounce, he blasted a great half volley which the visitors’ keeper got a hand to but couldn’t prevent the goal.

Gartcosh were still launching balls at the Saints defence but they were being dealt with comfortably until the 80th minute when the Cosh striker bulleted a header on goal.

Saints keeper Gallacher brilliantly got across his goal to push the ball around the post for a corner.

Vale of Leven Ams 3-0 Westerlands AFC

Va