IRVINE Meadow will go into their 2023-24 West of Scotland Football League in the best possible frame of mind after winning the annual Kilbirnie Ladeside pre-season tournament at the weekend.

Four teams competed in the Hammy Glen Memorial tournament, which is hosted in memory of James 'Hammy' Glen.

Two semi-finals were played on Saturday, July 15, before the third place play-off and final took place on Sunday, with all matches played at Ladeside's Valefield Park.

The first semi-final saw Medda secure their place in the final, with a solitary Cammy McNair goal enough to guide Kevin Deeney's side past opponents Arthurlie.

Then it was the turn of the hosts to face Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the other semi-final, with a minute's applause for the late Kilbirnie legend Gordon McQueen preceding the match.

Winton led at half-time through an early Aidan Ferris goal, but a rampant Ladeside team roared back in the second half with an own goal, a Jack Haggerty header, and strikes from a trialist and Sam McLoy handing the hosts a 4-1 victory.

Winton caused an upset in the third place play-off on Sunday, beating their Barrhead opponents on penalties after David Gray's 89th-minute strike for Gavin Friels' men was cancelled out by Lee Roulston in the dying moments.

 

In the final, despite a valiant effort from Ladeside, Medda's Premier Division experience proved the deciding factor, with second half goals from Martin Findlay and Stuart Fyfe, either side of a red card for the Blasties, giving Deeney's men the win and the silverware.

All four teams have further friendlies planned before the league campaigns begin on July 29, when Medda are away to Troon and Ladeside travel to Shotts Bon Accord, while Winton host Larkhall Thistle and Arthurlie are at home to Cumnock.