Eddlewood’s Hampden glory day

May 29 2008

EDDLEWOOD AFC captain Derek Innes, flanked by John Paul Kerr and Mark Brown, lifts the top prize in Scottish amateur football.

Roared on by hundreds of fans at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday, the Hamilton team won the Scottish Amateur Cup with a stunning 1-0 victory against Queen’s Park’s under-19s.

The only goal of the game came from Brown, a steel erector from Whitehill,

He fired home from 30 yards to give his team an advantage they never surrendered, despite intense Queens’ pressure in the second half.

It was one of the high points in a career dogged by misfortune for the 23-year-old ex-Holy Cross pupil.

Brown, who also attended St Paul’s Primary, Whitehill, came through the Ibrox Youth Academy at the same time as Chris Burke, Alan Hutton, and Charlie Adam.

After suffering a back injury, he was released by the Glasgow club.

He recovered from that setback but suffered foot and ligament injuries

Glory goal could see Mark head back to senior ranks during a trial match with Morton.

Two years ago, he was persuaded by Eddlewood captain Derek Innes to sign for them and has scored more than ten goals from midfield this season.

He notched two in extra-time against Knockentiber to earn Eddlewood a place in the quarter final of the Scottish Amateur Cup.

Eddlewood manager Paul Brogan was delighted with Brown’s contribution and predicted that he was on course for a return to the senior ranks.

“We will probably lose Mark now as he is a great player who was unlucky with injuries,” he added.

“Clyde have shown an interest in him recently and I would imagine he will end up there and good luck to him. What a way to go... with a wonderful winning goal.”

Mark Brown, whose girlfriend Lisa Scott (23), from Douglas, is expecting a baby in November, said: “It was one of the highlights of my career, but I’ve had a lot of bad luck.

“In fact if it wasn’t for bad luck, I would have no luck at all.”

Describing his cup final strike, Brown said: “There was a throw in and the ball came out to me.

“I took a touch and it fell nicely. One of the boys said ‘hit it’, and I put my laces through it.

“It flew in from 30 yards and I ran about like a mad thing. It was a great moment.”

Brogan was also delighted with the whole team’s performance, and thought his side deserved their victory.

“We played better in the first half and knocked the ball about pretty well,” he added.

“In the second half we tired against a younger and fitter side.

“But they were also very one-dimensional and just kept hitting long balls into the box.

“They were mopped up by our back four and goalkeeper.”

The manager also paid tribute to the 300 fans who turned out to greet them at Carrigans, Hamilton, where the after-match party was held.

There was also a special ‘thank you’ for Helen Cowan, wife of coach Graeme, who made the scarves and banners carried by fans at Hampden.

Paul added: “It’s a phenomenal success for the team and the whole community of Eddlewood and as for next year: we will have to go and win it again.”