A YOUNG Buffs side have their sights set on national glory after reaching the Scottish Cup final.
Kilwinning Rangers Madrid 2010 will be aiming to go all the way after coming through a rollercoaster semi-final at Buffs Park on Saturday.
The under-16 side came through on penalties against East Kilbride Reds after a dramatic 2-2 draw in regulation time.
In front of a crowd of around 500, the home side got off to an incredible start as they looked to match the achievement of the club's 2004 side just four years ago.
Inside three minutes, Josh Strain produced a moment of brilliance as he scored directly from a corner to put Kilwinning ahead.
The Buffs continued to apply the pressure in the early stages and gained their rewards as Freddie Lucas poked home from yet another Strain corner.
The home side held their two goal advantage to the break but the visitors were not going down without a fight and came out flying in the second half.
Just four minutes after the restart, the deficit was halved as East Kilbride converted from the penalty spot.
Despite being pushed hard, it looked as though Kilwinning were going to hold out until the visitors struck a heartbreaking equaliser with almost the final kick of the game.
Though the young Buffs were knocked down, they were certainly not out with the tie then heading straight to penalties.
Buoyed by the confidence of their shootout win in the quarter-finals, momentum swung once again as East Kilbride stepped up first and Ben Greenwood produced a stunning save to deny the opening take - and hand Kilwinning the early advantage.
Max McInally then fired home the hosts first spot kick before Greenwood repeated his heroics once again.
Oliver Anderson then converted to extend the shootout lead to 2-0. East Kilbride would convert their third but Archie Young restored the two-goal cushion at 3–1.
That left East Kilbride's fourth taker needing to score to take the tie any further but he was denied by Greenwood who saved his third spot kick to take Kilwinning to the final.
The showpiece match will be played at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday, April 26, where the club will play the winners of Dundee United SC or Lochend Football Academy who face off on Sunday, March 8.
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