U13 football v Fettes (30/1) won 12-7
With the usual format of 3 games and rotation of 9 players each getting two games one cannot tell until well into the fixture how the other team are using their strengths and best combinations. For most of the match I had a distinct feeling that this might be Fettes' night, gaining them a first win in a long time. Their brief warm up looked impressively physical and confident. The first game started at a furious pace with the visitors starting the scoring and thereafter keeping one ahead. There was not a lot of pattern but no shortage of excitement, and the individual skill level was high. The fast pace was a feature of the contest. At the end of the first third Fettes led 3 - 2. We were a little more composed in the second game but could not catch up. Its final score of 3 - 3 left us aware that there was a lot still to do. We had kept what we thought was our strongest team till last, but we conceded another goal almost at once! Thereafter we found our best form. The passing more accurate and we were able to quicken our ball management, and finally the man hired to find the back of the net became inspired. Ronan's goals tied the whole thing up electrifyingly. So the final score was 12 - 7. Until the last eight minutes or so Fettes were justified in believing that this was their time at last: how unpredictable and cruel sport can be. It was very good for Merchiston to have to sweat, and the win felt really good. A lot of Joiner Jersey's: Ronan, Captain Josh, impeccable goalie/defenders Will and Xander, 'duracell' Chris, Robert 'the rock, with fine performances also from Rufus, Ross and Michael.
U13 football v Belhaven (19/1/12) won 3 - 0
Just before kick off and uncomfortable bit of winter in the shape of large wet snow flakes and a penetrating wind threatened to wreck the game...and the pitch. but we started dry and had only to endure one shower thereafter.
Great to have an 11 a-side match out on the pitch, and it lived up to expectations. Belhaven are a young side but they know what they are doing and they are skilful. Merchiston were more physical and quicker, and they had much better of the territory in the first half. Goals came through Ross C enjoying a new role up front, Lorne and Josh. We played a lot of good football and on the whole took the chances. It was very good to see our J5 boys looking comfortable and making a big contribution. I think everyone should be pleased with their play. In the second half fortunes were equally shared and the game was excitingly end-to-end. Belhaven had their chances and came close to getting the ball passed David McT. The final score was 3-0. Many played really well and we have a man of the match: Robert G. Thank you Belhaven, well done everyone. Thank you referee Dr Cartwright.
The Merchiston u12 football tournament (15/1/12)
This year we invited one 'professional team': a local club, Currie Star, knowing they would be skilful and tactical. So it was quite an achievement for a typically tenacious Ardvreck side to put three goals in their net before they had found their feet. Thereafter Currie got better and better. Meanwhile Merchiston were going strongly while Ardvreck struggled to recapture that best form. Belhaven played some very good football, and their statistics did not do them justice. Loretto were hard to beat and they were an important part of the tournament. They found it hard to score goals but their against the run of play score against Merchiston denied the latter a goal difference win of the competition! As it was, Currie and Merchiston played 'sudden death' which resulted in Currie emerging the winners. It had been as close as it can be, but the best team won. Belhaven won the penalty shootout.
It was all very competitive and closely contested: everyone deserved to have enjoyed themselves. While accepting that Currie were the top team we were correctly disappointed that we did not quite manage to edge it. We missed Sam and the calm and precision he brings to our attack. But some fine goals were scored and our defence did well. A win would have been a huge achievement! Thank you Ardvreck, Belhaven, Loretto and Currie Star for a great afternoon's sport.
Winners: Currie Star FC
Runers Up: Merchiston
Penalty shootout winners: Belhaven
U13 Football v Belhaven (3 December 2011) Won 4 - 1
Postponed from last week and at the last minute moved to 'away', the team was the Thursday activity squad, 16 of them! It was great to get this first outdoor fixture. For a variety of reasons we did not play well, and some credit for this must go to our hosts. In fact the score would have been 1 - 1 but for a Ronan hatrick! He enjoyed a good supply from the mid-field and he used it imperiously, when not off side! Lorne S-D scored our other goal. Another factor was the constant substituting and the positional changes imposed in order to let everyone have a fair share of a long awaited match play opportunity. Our steadiest performer was probably Robert, but every one grabbed the opportunity and made a real contribution. Joiner Jersey's for Ronan and Robert...and a 'well done' for everyone.
U13 Football v Cargilfield (November 2011)
We have been playing good football for many years, and this year's team is well up with those before it. Cargilfield are having a lean spell that can happen to any of us. But how proudly they performed: quite exemplary in their sportsmanship. As a result this was a really good occasion for everyone, despite it being one sided. I whole heartedly congratulate both teams. The home side did produce some dazzling football. Chosen from many smart performances: Rufus and Xander get the Joiner Jersey's.
U12 Football v Cargilfield (October 2011): W 14-2
It ought, one might think, to be unreservedly pleasurable to have such a night of goals against such a long respected rival. But we did not expect nor set out to inflict such a heavy defeat. We had won well a few weeks ago but, knowing the skill of their coach and the proud competitive nature of the school, we were expecting a backlash. In the first half of three games Merchiston scored five goals to nil. The Rufus/James combination was breathtaking. A quick half time reshuffle slowed the scoring. And then the middle game, without the stars, was drawn 1 - 1. We could not keep our stars permanently sidelined, so we shuffled the pack throughout the third game, but the scoring restarted.
Merchiston have to be concerned that their two stars are quite so essential. We have to be a lot sharper and more accurate. It is difficult to praise Cargilfield without sounding patronising but the risk must be taken. They did not give up, nor get angry with each other, nor become inappropriately physical. After the match they were positive comfortable and gracious. I just hope that when it is our turn to come unstuck we can be as sportsmanly. Joiner Jersey's go to the scoring machine: James with 7 goals and to captain Rufus (3) and to Sam who did so many good things, two of them being goals! Well done to all the team. There are things to work on to be even better: a challenge to look forward to.
Football v Fettes (19 September 2011): W 5-4
There was a confident air about this Fettes side, and this was soon to be clearly justified. They played as a team with verve and directness and they quickly attacked our goal from every part of the hall with power and fair precision. In this first game goalie Will C was the hero of the home team with a demonstration of courage and nimbleness which saved us from falling inevitably behind. Merchiston looked a bit rattled! But Ross S scored a hatrick and ensured that we somehow emerged up 3 - 2. Vital chances were lost in a less frenetic second game but we still could not control things either in defence and or up front where we looked short of numbers. Chances were lost too and we went down 2 - 1. While Ronan and Ross were skilfully challenging the Fettes goal mouth Josh and Chris were working tirelessly in defence, saving situations and brining the ball up to attack. Throughout the third and final 12 minute game Merchiston looked the better team but Fettes were not for rolling over: a score of 1 (Ronan) - 0 was all we could claim in the end. So there it was 5 - 4 our closest game with our old friends and adversaries in years, and a great night's football.
