Barrhead YFC U21s are set for their third final of the season after a hard-fought 2-1 win against a strong Pollok Juveniles team in the West of Scotland Golden Goals Cup semi-final.

Fresh from their Scottish Youth Cup semi-final win over Rossvale last month, Barrhead lined up against a tough Pollok side on an unbeaten run stretching back to December.

With words exchanged between the sides in the build up, motivation wasn’t an issue, with the youngsters raring to go in the dressing room beforehand.

And, despite having some key players missing, they started at a frantic pace.

Both sides boast some fantastic talent in their starting XIs, so it was no surprise that the first half was a fairly even affair, with both unable to find that finishing touch as they went in level at the break.

A change of tactics against a big Pollok side saw Barrhead keep it on the ground as their calm and mature play began to reap the reward it deserved.

The visitors eventually broke down a resolute Pollok side just after the hour mark when neat link up play from the midfield forced the Pollok keeper into a rash challenge in the box which resulted in an easy decision for the referee with skipper Connor McCabe stepping up to break the deadlock from 12-yards.

Barrhead News: Barrhead U21s now set for third cup final while still looking to climb league tableBarrhead U21s now set for third cup final while still looking to climb league table

Expecting Pollok to throw caution to the wind, Barrhead sat back to defend their lead.

The onslaught never came as Barrhead pushed forward and doubled their lead with Malcolm McDonald’s stunning half-volley from inside the area sending the packed sidelines wild.

It was never going to be that easy, however, as Barrhead found themselves down to 10 men with five minutes remaining.

READ MORE: Barrhead YFC reach Scottish Youth Cup final

The home side made the most of their extra man to grab one back but they couldn’t find the equaliser as the newly-formed Barrhead secured their spot in their third final of the season.

Currently sitting sixth in the West of Scotland Premier League, just seven points behind leaders Harmony Rowe, Barrhead will take on Rutherglen Glencairn in both the Golden Cup and Scottish Youth Cup finals as they look to finish their first season together with some deserved silverware. 

Barrhead were unfortunate not to clinch the Archie Sharkie Memorial League Cup earlier in the season, losing out to Tower Hearts in the final after seeing off league-leaders Harmony Rowe in the semi.