Thirds win the Rifle Volunteers Cup 2012

On a beautiful sunny day for football, Thirds welcomed our Edinburgh cousins, St Bernards to Petershill Park inSpringburn for our annual curtain opener to the new season. This excellent venue played it's part in an excellent match. The first 30 minutes were tough as both teams battled hard to get a foothold on the game and St Bernards looked dangerous. the first goal settled the home crowd nerves and second late in the first half seemed to bring out the best in 3rds.In the second half Thirds were fastest out of the traps and their superior fitness showed with two quick goals. St Bernards continued to battle though and only when goals number 5 and 6 went in did the game seem beyond reach.Both full squads managed to get on and play a part in this historic occasion and 3rds played some lovely one touch football on the ground and did a professional job in finishing off St Bernards with four more excellent goals. Make no mistake, St Bernards refused to let their heads go down and fought until the final whistle, but 3rds dominated and the crowd were delighted by the style of play and marksman-like finishing of the 3rd Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers side. Final score was 10-0. 3rds scoreers were Alan Semple(3) Michael Cross (2) Tam McQuade (2) Simone Enrici, Mark Robertson and Barry Mulling. Medals were presented by St Bernards Chairman George Park and the cup presented to Third Lanark Club Captain Simone Enrici by former Motherwell player Billy Hunter. Our thanks to all who attended and to Ronnie & The St Bernards AFC side for generous donation of a Roseberry shirt and copies of original 1929 programmes from games between the old clubs. We look forward to next year's match in Edinburgh with relish! Thank you to Scotcrystal, to Ross McFarlane at Glasgow Life and the support of all the 3rd Lanark teams who came along to support such a memorable victory.Thank you also to Finlays Bar in Cambuslang for the post-match bee& pies!! And finally a huge thanks to Craig Stewart and The Scottish Football League for the continued support.