YOUNG football stars from Largs Academy have struck gold after lifting the Ayrshire Schools Cup for the first time.

The school’s S3 boys team lifted the trophy after a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock Academy at Cumnock Juniors’ Townhead Park.

The hotshots scored 28 times in just five games on their run to glory.

PE teacher and coach Cameron Love says the boys stayed focused and motivated until the final whistle.

He said: “The start of this year’s competition was delayed and our first game wasn’t until Christmas, and then it was a packed fixture list after that.

“In our three group stage games, we beat Garnock 10-0, we had a 6-0 win against Ardrossan and in our final group game we beat St Matthew’s 4-2.

“From that we played a semi-final away at Prestwick where we triumphed 5-1, and in the final against Kilmarnock we got the job done.

“In the final our goals came from a 30-yard wonder strike from Cameron Blair, an own goal, and a great header from Joel McKeen.

“The parents and families of the kids came down on a bus and they were so pleased to get on the pitch at the end and have some pictures taken with the trophy.”

Cameron believes that consistency was key to triumphing over some tough opponents.

He explained: “We’ve had roughly the same group of boys playing in the team all year and that has been great in keeping the team close-knit.

“A lot of them play for the West Kilbride Deltas, who won their league this year so it’s been a great season all round.

“This was the one we wanted to win because our age group had never won it before.

“The boys were playing against some prestigious footballing schools from Prestwick and Kilmarnock, so to get the wins against them was really impressive.”

Cameron played down his own role in the victory - saying all the credit lies with the players. 

He added: “I just pick the team and make sure they show respect to the other team and the referee. They represent the school very well.

“I’m so pleased for the boys because they deserve it for all their hard work."