Hurlford United skipper nets decisive goal after dashing from Prestwick Airport in time for kick-off

The captain came off a flight and travelled straight to Glasgow for the Ford's crucial cup tie - then bagged a late goal

Hurlford United gaffer Darren Henderson heaped praise on skipper Paul McKenzie after he travelled straight from the airport to help fire the Ford into the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The West of Scotland Premier Division outfit sealed a 2-0 win away to Thorniewood United at the weekend, with McKenzie coming off the bench to seal the deal with a fine finish 12 minutes from time to set upa home tie against Ayrshire rivals Maybole in the next round.

Just a few hours earlier he was landing in Prestwick Airport after arriving back from holiday - and swiftly made the journey to Viewpark to help his team out.

Kris Kerr had fired the visitors in front 10 minutes before the half-time interval when he found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

But while they produced a solid defensive display, a place in the third round was very much still up in the air before McKenzie entered the fray off the bench and wrapped things up after neat work from Ross Robertson and Lewis Morrison set up the captain.

Speaking to the Standard, gaffer Henderson, who lifted the Junior Cup with the Ford in 2014, said: “Our captain has come off a flight at 11.30am at Prestwick. He’s travelled straight to the game and scored the second goal.

“You have to admire that commitment and say fair play to him for wanting to be here and try to help his team out because it would have been far easier just to take the weekend off and spent it with his family.

“But he jumped in the car and got himself to the ground just before kick-off then played his part when he got on the park.

“That’s what it’s all about at this club because we’ve got a great team spirit and we need that because it’s going to be a challenging season.”

The Ford have one win from eight league games this term but have now picked up back-to-back win in cup competitions and the boss is hopeful they can take confidence from that going forward.

He said: “Thorniewood’s always a difficult place to come and we certainly weren’t delighted with the draw so to come here and get through is great achievement.

“The first half was even enough and then it’s a great finish from Kris Kerr and that gave us a boost. Any result in the Scottish Cup is big so we’re delighted.

“We need to get our league form up to scratch but we have been struggling with injuries this season - I’ve never known anything like it.

“There will be confidence from these two games after beating Penicuik last week and then getting a clean sheet at Thorniewood so let’s see if we can take that into the league games.”

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