ST NINIAN’S SENIOR BOYS TEAM WIN FIRST EVER SENIOR SCOTTISH SHIELD
Congratulations to the St Ninian’s High School senior football team who won the Senior Scottish Schools’ Football Association Shield after a 1-0 victory over Bearsden Academy on Friday 28th May. This is the first Senior Scottish Shield title for St Ninian’s and the first of any school in East Renfrewshire.
The game was played in great spirit by both teams with the first 20 minutes going from end to end. All the boys played excellently with a special mention to Rico De Marco and James Dolan who were both awarded MOTM by the opposition. At half-time it was 1-0 thanks to another Scottish Cup final goal from Marc Capaldi- he has made a habit of this. Two Scottish Shield victories with both games finishing 1-0 and Marc having been the goal scorer in each game.
The second half was a close affair with both teams creating chances. Damian McNee pulled off a great save in the 70th minute to keep St. Ninian’s in front. Chris Mahon came on from the bench and within 5 minutes was through 1 on 1 with the goal keeper. Chris played the ball around the keeper but unfortunately the goal keeper caught Chris to prevent him scoring into an empty net. This resulted in the keeper being sent off. With a one man advantage, St Ninian’s pressed for the crucial second goal. Bearsden threw caution to the wind and left only two defenders at the back as they chased an equaliser. In the 90th minute St. Ninian’s broke up the pitch with James Hazlett playing the ball out wide to James Dolan. James was away from his marker and was bearing down on goal. His opponent chased after James and tripped James from behind. The referee had no choice but to send the Bearsden player off. Not long after this the referee blew the final whistle which resulted in jubilant scenes from the St. Ninian’s players and coaches.
A massive well done to all of the boys who are now enshrined in St Ninian’s folklore and they will be able to treasure this memory forever
Damian McNee 6a7, Lwendo Kazoka 6a3, James Dolan 6a3, Jamie Stewart 6a1, Luke McCormick 6a7, Ben Conroy 6a8, Chino Orisakwe 6a5, Aiden McLaughlin 5a6, Ruiaridh MacDonald 5a7, Rico De Marco 5a5, James Hazlett 5a10, Sean Fyfe 5a7, Mitchell Coyne 5a6, Chris Mahon 5a4, Joe Sexton 5a7, Marc Capaldi 5a6
