Latest news with #Airdrie-based
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gartcairn's final pre-season clash comes at a cost ahead of Whitletts opener
The Airdrie side are gearing up for the West of Scotland First Division Gartcairn co-boss Darren Barr was happy to end pre-season on a winning note but admits it came at a cost ahead of Saturday's West of Scotland First Division opener at Whitletts Victoria. The Airdrie-based outfit ran out 2-1 winners away to East of Scotland Premier champions Musselburgh Athletic at the weekend, with Dom Morgan and Stefan McCluskey on target. But Barr's side finished the game with 10 men after left-back Jordan Allan was shown a straight red card, while Kyle Hutton is facing a fitness test after picking up a knock. Barr said: 'The boys put in a really good performance on the eve of the season starting, so it gives them a bit of belief because Musselburgh are a good team and they did really well last year, winning their league. We had a really good 60-65 minutes. 'There's a few people that were still on holiday and some injuries to contend with. Kyle Hutton took a sore one so we will need to see how he is as the week progresses and we had a man sent off as well, so those two things put a bit of a dampener on it a bit.' Gartcairn are among the favourites for the title having been relegated from the top flight last season, but Barr is sure his players can handle that expectation. He added: 'Looking at the squad, we are in decent place and we are still building. Pre-season is all about getting minutes in the legs and get the partnerships going, working cohesively, so Saturday was a good step towards that. 'Pressure of being one of the favourites is fine. You've obviously got Darvel in there and a few others, so I think it is going to be a really strong league. 'Some people might have us as favourites but there are plenty of other strong sides in there. 'We'd love a winning start but I'd rather have a strong finish to the season, that is the most important thing. 'The boys know the pressure on them, but all we'll do is take it one game at a time and focus on the way we want to play. 'With the quality in the squad we know we can compete.' On the Whitletts clash, he added: 'I'm expecting a really tough match. We've watched Whitletts a couple of times and they will give us a really hard first game. 'It is about how we approach it and we will prepare them as best we can. Hopefully we can get off to a positive start.'
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie tennis club aim to serve up Calcutta Cup success and emulate Springwells heroes
The club last won the competition back in 1977 An Airdrie tennis club are out to emulate one of the best teams in their history this weekend when they compete in the Calcutta Cup final. Springwells Tennis Club sprung a huge shock earlier this month when they defeated Queen's Park to reach the Calcutta Cup final for the first time since they last won the competition, way back in 1977. That team – which comprised Tom Russell, Billy Gardiner, David Morton, Willie Scobbie, David Woodhouse and Stuart Ross – is considered one of, if not the, best teams the club has ever produced and this Sunday off ers Springwells' class of 2025 the chance to follow in their footsteps. David Woodhouse's son Graeme is part of the current team going for glory. Tournament underdogs Springwells have defied all expectations to reach the final after a stunning 4-1 victory over Queens Park. The Airdrie-based team, playing two divisions below their semi-final opponents in the West of Scotland Tennis League, produced a fearless and unified performance on home courts to continue a remarkable cup run that has already seen them topple some of the region's most powerful clubs. On the road to the final, Springwells have eliminated Langside and Queen's Park – both from two divisions above – and most impressively, Rutherglen, the reigning Calcutta Cup champions. Now, the team are one match away from completing a modern-day tennis fairytale. In last Sunday's Semi-Final, Luke Paul got Springwells off to the perfect start with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win in the first singles match. Derek Munro followed with a hard-fought three-set thriller, winning 6-0, 4-6 and 10-5 in a championship tie-break. Although Jamie Leslie was narrowly beaten 6-1, 7-5 — battling back from 5-1 down in the second set — the team carried a 2-1 lead into the doubles matches. From there, the underdogs took full control. Derek Munro and Jamie Leslie edged a tense 6-4, 6-3 doubles victory to put Springwells into the final. Graeme Woodhouse and Luke Paul, who came back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 to put the overall match score 4-1 and complete a famous victory over the Queens Park club. 'This team just doesn't know when to quit,' said team member Jamie Boyle. 'We've been underdogs in every round, but we've grown stronger each time. To beat Queens Park, just like we did Langside and Rutherglen — that takes something special.' Springwells will now face Glasgow CTC in the final at Scotstoun Sports Centre. Derek Munro added: 'A special mention goes to team members Jamie Boyle and Neil Aitken who have played a major role in this impressive run to the final, with crucial involvement in each of the previous rounds. Here's hoping the Calcutta Cup is coming home to Airdrie again this weekend.'
