posted by Lynsay Jukes, Teacher of PE, Arbroath High School
Football – S3 Angus Cup Final
On Wednesday 25th May, Victoria Park saw Arbroath High School play Arbroath Academy in a Derby Final for the S3 Angus Cup for football. Conditions were far from perfect with an unseasonably strong wind blowing. Both teams had not met this season but with players in both schools in the same Sunday league teams the game was shaping up to be a Cup Final classic.
The High School were playing with the wind behind and during the first half played a more direct style of football looking to play long over the mid-field into space for the strikers to run onto. The Academy played more patiently and shortened their passing resulting in a strong period of pressure. The Academy produced some good football and came close to scoring but the High School broke the deadlock on 31 minutes. A corner was driven in by Wood with pace into a dangerous area. The Academy keeper rushed out and tried to punch the ball but only managed to push it across their goal. The ball fell at an academy defender who miss kicked the clearance with the ball falling at the feet of Stewart who side footed the ball into an empty goal. After a strong finish to the first half, the High School looked to build. However, strong tackling and a high work rate from the Academy saw them dominate play throughout the second half.
The Academy came close to equalising on a number of occasions but excellent defending and a good dose of luck saw the High School keep a clean sheet. On 75 minutes the Academy played a searching ball instigating a foot race between an Academy striker and Lyall. Lyall who had been flawless up to this point met the ball first but sclafed the clearance resulting in the ball popping up. Land at centre half came across to compete for the ball but the central midfielder of the Academy headed the ball towards the left hand post. Lyall sprinted back but the ball was heading for what looked like a certain goal, only to hit the post and to rebound into Lyall’s arms. The game finished 1-0 in favour of the school. Man of the match was L. Stewart. Both teams made a memorable final playing good football in difficult conditions.
S3 Boys Angus Cup Football Winners photo.
Back Row Left to Right: Arran Lyall, Mr Pandrich, Liam Stewart, Matthew Robbie, Elliot Burns, Jack Land, Ross Fraser (Captain), Elliot Boath, Alex Martin, Calvin Wood, Mr Herron (Coach)
Front Row Left to Right: Morgan Buick, Max Duff, Ben Sellars, Lee Paterson, Brandon Prouse, Lewis Greig, Lloyd Cathro.
