ARTHURLIE under-21s manager James McCabe is convinced the future is bright for the team as they claimed the Glasgow Cup after a dramatic final.

The young Lie were up against it early on as they fell behind to Whitletts at Shettleston Juniors’ Greenfield Park last Sunday but two goals from Andy Stewart put them in front.

A Whitletts penalty with 10 minutes to go looked set to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out, but Arthurlie were given the chance to win the tie from the spot in the last minute when Stewart won a penalty.

The striker kept his nerve to convert and complete his hat-trick which ensured the trophy came back to Barrhead.

McCabe is convinced the cup win can be the first of many successes for the young Arthurlie side.

He said: “It’s the first season for this team, every other team in the division have all played together before.

“A lot of out rivals have players that will be too old next season and we only have two that won’t be aged to play.

"We had a great season. We got to the quarters of the West of Scotland Cup, the semi-finals of the Lady Darling Cup. Rutherglen Glencairn, who went on to win the Scottish Cup, put us out in that and the West. They are one of the best teams in under-21 football.

“The future is definitely bright and I’m delighted for the boys that they have a trophy to show for a great season.”

Arthurlie’s league season ended on a sour note however after their match with Ardgowan was abandoned with Lie 4-1 up. McCabe’s men had a chance to overhaul Whitletts’ lead at the top of the table but the league have since decided the game won’t be replayed and no points would be awarded, handing Whitletts the title.

McCabe admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow. He added: “We were chasing the league title, but there was an incident between one of our players and an Ardgowan player and the referee abandoned the game.

"We’ve just had notice from the league that no points will be awarded to either team. That’s cost us a league and we’re not happy about it because I’ve seen worse many times without any chance of matches being abandoned.

"Two players have got into a bit of fight and there was some pushing and shoving, but nothing that couldn’t have been calmed down.

“If we’d won our last three games and got the points for the Ardgowan game we’d have won the league.”

Arthurlie U21s would like to thank The Cross Stobs Inn, Engineering Supply Company, Paisley Self Storage and Vehicle Maintenance Ltd for their support this season.