As the dust settles and the Lewis and Harris football league season fades into the distance, it is a fair argument to suggest that while West Side’s treble winning season – including a league title play off triumph – was the story of the season, the surprise of the season came ‘south of the border.’
Lewis football wonderkid James Graham has wowed Liverpool bosses while on trial with the current European Champions with a starring role and double goal showing on his trial debut.
Both Mod Football Cups were in the warm grip of island players at the weekend and having their passports stamped ahead of a return to the Hebrides from Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail Glaschu 2019 to Stornoway and Uist and Barra.
West Side fans enjoyed a Saturday night delight on a night so electric you could run the west coast of Lewis of the atmosphere as the Siarachs partied into the wee hours.
A strong finish to the match wasn’t enough to prevent Lewis and Harris from slipping out of the Jock Mackay Cup as Orkney edged the battle of the Scottish islands.
The ongoing episodic saga between West Side and Point continued as the second of possibly FOUR blockbuster clashes between the two for three pieces of silverware continued at the neutral Creagan Dubh.
Lewis and Harris Women FC signed off from the Highlands and Islands League in swashbuckling, breathless and ruthless style as they hit seven goals in a stunning second half to take the Highlands and Islands League Cup home across the Minch.
Since making the leap into the Highlands and Islands Womens Football League the teen-powered Lewis and Harris Womens FC have racked up scorelines which look like phone numbers.
Although the Westside Club missed out on 3 League points this week, their spirits were lifted at the end of the match by being presented with a cheque for £1,830.60 from Malcolm Paterson of the Western Isles Lottery Team.
Stornoway United players and supporters haven’t enjoyed the optimism, excitement or glory of a senior cup final in Lewis and Harris football now for 43-long years.
Winning some major silverware really is a treat: the open top bus tour, the local bragging rights, the celebrations in the streets. But, some teams have had to wait longer than others to taste glory again.
The scheduled Jock Stein Cup match between Point FC and Harris FC was postponed on Monday night after the sad weekend news that Point legend Donnie ‘Mata’ Graham had passed.
When Gibraltar were confirmed as hosts for the 2019 NatWest Island Games, football coaches from all member islands quickly realised there would be no football at the event due to the limited size and lack of facilities.
Although the new season is still in nappies several clubs have been facing severe selection issues - none more so that ABC semi-finalists Lochs and Point.
