The Anglo-Scottish Walking Football Cup recently took place at the Queen of the South Arena. With two new pitches laid it was an excellent opportunity for those involved to play some good quality football.

This event for the over 50s is played to Scottish Walking Football rules and pulls together some of the strongest walking football teams from the South of Scotland and Northwest of England. Eight teams entered, hosts Queen of the South along with last year’s winners, St Cuthbert Wanders and teams from Stranraer, Glenafton, Annan Athletic, Gretna, Workington and Carlisle.

The format is a two-group league system with the winners of Group 1 playing the Runners-up of Group 2; and the winners of Group 2 playing the Runners-up of Group 1. The winners of these play-offs meet in the final.

Workington, Annan, Queens and Carlisle made up group one, while group two involved, Gretna, Glenafton, Stranraer and St Cuthbert Wanders. Unfortunately, Saints had to withdraw from the event at short notice, so the hosts split their squad and the QOS All Stars made up group two.

As the tournament got underway, Workington took on Carlisle on pitch one, it was a very close match with two very strong and experienced teams, who cancelled each other out. Both were limited to half-chances in and around the opposition goal area however no-one was able to break the deadlock and the match ended in a goal-less draw.

While that was taking place, Stranraer faced Gretna on pitch two. This was another tough and highly competitive match between another two experienced teams. Johnnie Partridge scored the only goal of a tight game to give Gretna the win.

In the second round of games, Queens opened their fixtures against Annan on pitch one. It was a highly competitive and just a few minutes in, Queens Stevie Smith was unlucky not to open the scoring. The referee adjudged that he had taken more than the permitted three touches on the ball and awarded Annan a free kick. The free kick was taken quickly with a short pass made to Colin Taylor, who took the ball first-time and smashed his drive through the defensive wall and into the bottom corner to put Annan ahead. Both sides had further chances but Taylor’s goal was enough to seal the win.

Queens All Stars were on the other pitch in a tough game against Glenafton. They made a game of it but, two goals from Grant Wilkes and another from Andy Durham earned Glens a 3-0 win.

Queens were then up against Workington. Stevie Smith blocked a Workington shot at the edge of the box but the ball broke to Steve Powell who smashed it past Tom Gordon in the Queens goal. Queens fought back and were awarded a penalty, the ever-dependable Iain Mitchell stepped up to fire the ball into the top right corner to level. However, a short time later, Malcolm Temple lashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to restore Workington’s advantage and they held on to see out the game 2-1 winners.

On the other pitch, Stranraer faced Glenafton in a fiery tie between two highly competitive sides. Glenafton dominated the early part of the game and Grant Wilkes hat-trick had them three up. But Stranraer fought back and goals from Thomas and Powell pulled them to within touching distance but they ran out of time and Glens won by the odd goal in five.

As the fourth matches took place, Carlisle faced Annan and Barry Stewart scored the only goal of the game when he converted a penalty to give Carlisle the win. At the same time, Gretna were one – nil winners over Queens All Stars on pitch two. Gretna started strongly knowing that a second win would put them in a good place to qualify for the final stages of the competition. They pressed the All-Stars goal and were awarded a penalty which was saved by Robert Wilson. They did go on to score later in the game to win by one goal to nil.

The games continued and Workington were two – nil winners over Annan thanks to goals from Paul Skips and White to secure their place in the finals. And Queens All Stars faced another tough contest against Stranraer. Again, it was fine margins but the game was settled in favor of Stranraer when Forbes fired home a penalty with the last kick.

The final group matches, saw Queens and Carlisle fight out a goal-less draw while, Gretna were the only side to win all their matches so far as they saw off Glenafton one- nil to finish on nine points.

Onto the semi-finals and Group 1 winners - Workington would face group 2 runners up Glenafton. While, group 2 winners Gretna were up against Group 1 Runners-up, Carlisle.

Glenafton proved to be too strong for Workington as goals from Grant Wilkes, Ian Wilson and Andy Durham saw them into the final, where they’d face Gretna who were two-nil winners in their game.

The 3rd/4th place play-off match ended in a 1 - 1 draw between Workington and Carlisle.
 

While in the final, two goals from Grant Wilkes and some solid defending against a very determined Gretna team saw Glenafton take the spoils and win the tournament.

During the presentations, Keith Brown thanked all the teams for taking part, Queen of the South for providing the excellent facilities, referees - Billy Macalister and James Chalmers and time-keeper Billy McRobert. Thanks, was also given to the catering staff and those who organized a raffle which raised over £300 for the QOS Community Trust.

The player of the tournament award was presented to Glenafton’s Grant Wilkes by Iain Mitchell. And events concluded when winners Glenafton lifted the ‘Maurice Sproat Memorial Trophy.’