THE 24th Willie Johnston Challenge Trophy saw a tremendous day of football on Sunday at Moorside Park, home of Dundonald Bluebell Juniors.

The teams put together by the pubs in Cardenden produced some pretty good play on a decent afternoon for football weatherwise

A good crowd saw Auld Hoose Giants win through to meet Village Inn in the final and with the supporters of both teams shouting on their favourites it was a highly competitive match.

However, the Giants started to get on top and once they got the opening goal they settled and ran out 3-0 winners.

Former Scottish international winger, Willie Johnston, was joined by Councillor Linda Erskine to present the prizes along with Anne Haxton, Honor Anderson and Kieran Burns.

Before the presentations started Linda Erskine pointed out that the 2018 event was to be the last tournament and she thanked Alex Burns for the magnificent job he and his committee had done for the past 24 years and presented him with a memento.

A presentation of flowers was made by Willie Johnston himself to Linda, Anne, Honor and Val and to one of the Giants' girlfriends.

Chairman of the organising committee, Alex Burns MBE, forwarded his thanks to the participating teams, the two match officials and the Dundonald Bluebell committee. Also Honor for the splendid buffet and organising the raffle along with Val at Moorside Park. He went on to thank Ore Valley Housing Association for the use of their van, and Ann and Roy Haxton from the Village Inn for their assistance at both Moorside and for the presentations at the pub where they provided pies and Willie Johnston, for helping make the presentations.

Mr Burns continued by forwarding his special thanks to Councillor Erskine for her assistance at both Moorside and the Village Inn which was greatly appreciated by the committee.

Last but not least to James Parish, Tom Allan, Jamie Thomson and Kieran Burns for the smooth running of the competition plus Mark and Kevin for their help.

Willie Johnston thanked Alex Burns and his dedicated committee for the tremendous work over 24 years and Alex thanked everyone who had helped him over the years, especially his late wife Jessie, who had been a stalwart in the early days of the event.

The Willie Johnston Trophy went to Auld Hoose Giants; the Most Sporting Team Award to Johnsy's Team; The Fair Play Trophy to Alan Johnston (Johnsy's Team); Best Player Jamie Gay (Auld Hoose Giants); Best Goalkeeper Watty Lennox (June's All Stars) and Top Goalscorer Ryan Goose (Auld Hoose Giants).