An astonishing crowd of almost 500 watched Kilwinning Rangers Under-13s hold their nerve in a penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
Sunday’s bumper gate at Buffs Park in Kilwinning rivalled the attendance at the West of Scotland League clash between Kilwinning’s senior team and Beith 24 hours earlier.
And the young Buffs certainly put on a fantastic show for their fans as they triumphed 4-3 on penalties against Glasgow side Sons of Struth after the quarter-final tie ended 1-1.
Proud head coach Gary McDonald, who won the senior Scottish Cup with St Johnstone in 2014, said: “It’s a day the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. The turnout was magnificent."
Adam Latta fired Kilwinning ahead in the tie only for Sons of Struth to net a last-gasp equaliser.
Max McInally, Freddie Lucas, Adam Latta and Oliver Anderson all netted for the young Buffs in the shoot-out with goalkeeper Jake Stewart denying Sons.
McDonald reckons it’s only a matter of time until his starlets catch the eye of the country’s top scouts.
He said: “I’ve had the bulk of this group for five years now and they are just a brilliant bunch to work with.
"This is our first season of competitive football and they’re doing so well. Apparently 426 teams started the tournament so to get to the last four is a great achievement.
"We’ve won 12 out of 13 league games and are still going strong in the cups. We're in the hunt for four trophies.
“I’ve no doubt scouts will start to look at us and you start thinking how much longer can we keep the boys together. But that’s football and we want to see the boys progress. We'd never hold anyone back.
“Sunday was a day they’ll never forget. There were a few nerves but I had five hands go straight up when it went to penalties. That says it all about the group.
"I must admit though, watching the penalties was the most nervous I've been in football in my life!"
Kilwinning will play Airdrie Pumas in the semis at a neutral venue next month with the date yet to be confirmed.
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