Business Fives plays out housing & property heat

The housing and property heat of Business Fives was played a frantic pace and was the highest standard of football of the tournament so far, matched only by the generosity of all the players involved as the donations rolled in for the Trussell Trust.

The heat was sponsored by Motion Joinery & Maintenance, with the local firm supporting Scotland’s housing and property sector.

The Trussell Trust’s Scotland development officer, Jim Robertson, was largely responsible for the steady flow of donations captivating the audience with some real life stories about the rise of foodbanks. Explaining that the UK’s largest network of foodbanks is much more than providing emergency crisis food packages but are proud to consider themselves as a helping hand up rather than a hand out. Their primary objective is to stop UK hunger but in the process the charity helps literally millions of families across the UK and Scotland out of poverty by providing support and guidance.

The donations were bolstered by tournament Massage partners, Massage & Glow who ran a charity bookmaker for the tournament raising almost £100 in the process as well as keeping the players comfortable and relaxed.

Meanwhile on the pitch it was housing giants Link Group, Wheatley Group and Weslo Housing Management who topped their group standings. Link Group, PSL officer, Jack McGhie rolled back the years in their opening match in a heated local derby against eventual quarter finalists Castle Rock Edinvar thundering home the opening goal and driving his team on to a 4-0 victory.

Glasgow based Wheatley Group showed a lot of early promise turning over ESPC 7-1 and beating Keepmoat 2-0 with transaction officer Ross Carrigan helping himself to 5 goals in the tournament.

In the other side of the draw Weslo HM had convincing wins over DJ Alexander and J & E Shepherd with progression into the latter stages looking ominous with Alex Hastings, in the mix for tournament top scorer with his contribution of 5 goals.

ESPC were first to hit the showers losing out 3-1 to Castle Rock Edinvar in the quarter final play off, with apprentice plumber, Niall Kane playing a key role in a stand out performance for the Edinburgh based housing association.

The quarter finals were hotly contested with 2 out of the four decided on penalties. Tournament industry partner Scottish Property Federation threw away a 2 goal lead to Keepmoat Group, with IFA Neil Ferry providing the pick of the goals sublimely volleying home on the turn after great vision by keeper Craig Weir, senior building surveyor at Tuffin Ferraby Taylor (TFT). The keeper pulled off a string of fine saves but couldn’t see off the onslaught from Keepmoat, who eventually won on penalties.

In the tie of the round Link Group drew 2 all with DJ Alexander. Link Groups team captain PSL coordinator, Andrew Cutt and PSL administrator, Jake Welsh both played key roles in a thrilling match. DJ Alexander team captain Mark Hall was amongst the goals again as the Edinburgh based property firm won on penalties in a very close encounter.

Meanwhile J & E Shepherd were spurred on by captain Gregor Porteous, who’s five tournament goals put him joint top scorer in the standings, overcoming Wheatley Group 4 -1 in what could have been considered a shock result given the league standings.

Weslo HM also booked their place in the semi-finals with a 4-3 win against Castle Rock Edinvar who were in buoyant mood after their play-off victory.

Come back specialists Keepmoat were at it again 2 goals down to Weslo HM going into the final minute of their semi-final tie with late goals from bid manager John Hepburn and QS Chris Farmer eventually securing their place at the national final in Hampden on penalties much to the dismay of the Weslo HM team who looked comfortable throughout.

In the adjacent semi-final DJ Alexander powered past J & E Shepherd 3-1 in an assured performance that put them as firm favourites going into the final. A tag they lived up to overcoming Keepmoat 6-0 in a one-sided affair that say Mark Hall hit the back of the net 4 times to be crowned tournament top scorer and brilliant performances from Craig Aitken and Craig Ross, who was chosen by tournament ambassadors Gary McKay and Pat Stanton as the man of the match in the final. The accolade was presented by tournament sponsor Ross Motion, owner of Motion Joinery and Maintenance.

The action continues on August 11th with the Professional services heat in conjunction with industry partner the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.