By Thomas Smart
The warm up was light and effective. We were waiting at the changing room door for the referee to allow us though. My stomach twisted, like everyone else. Luckily both teams had been here before. Apart from at Airdrie Stadium of course; it was Spartans in Edinburgh last year. An equally good park. It was a warm day last year, like today. Same surface, 3G, which really favours us. We train on it every day.
“Are you all ready?” The Ref was answered with a group of cheers. We were lined up led by the captain, Rico Quitongo. Craigmount vs. Braidhurst. For the second year in a row. What an honour. I was electrified and energized. It was such a massive event for all of us. We marched forward in two close but so very separate lines. Hopefully a 3-1 win or better could be in the near future! The crowd shouted and ranted. The ref counting the players fixed his watch and took out his whistle. Twisting stomachs again and… the whistle blew.
An easy start, we kept possession effortlessly with a few minor chances from us. After 5 or so minutes of play, Andrew McNulty plays the ball through to Dylan Falconer and Dylan strokes it, simply, past the keeper. Yes! 1-0! Fantastic! An early goal in a Scottish Cup final, what else could you want! We kept the ball and played the game easily. It’s the best strategy against a bigger team. With some pressure off thanks to that early goal the ball seems to move around the park fluently and with simplicity. The crowd are absolutely extraordinary! Suddenly Jordan Duncan, playing at right midfield, flies down the wing. He plays a good squared pass into Ryan Watt, Ryan turns and fakes onto his right foot and GOAL!!! 2-0! I feel elated! That’s a great goal! I can’t believe it. It’s just Braidhurst, Braidhurst, Braidhurst! A brilliant position to be in! Craigmount are getting nothing. They’ve had a few minor chances but nothing special. Over five minutes or so Craigmount get into the game pressurising us and making it a battle. Just before half time Dylan using his blistering pace to storm down the line he whips in a lovely cross for Ryan and WOO! What a header! A superb goal! The half finishes with us 3-0 up!
With sweat on our brows we jog in to the changing room. A cheerful tone in the changing room mixed in with a smell of B.O. told me we had done well! Everyone was clutching a bottle of water or juice. The wine gums were passed around and the coaches Mr Madill and Mr Brandon spoke.
“Look we are playing great (already I was happy) keep it up for the second half and we’ll have no problems,”
An expected bang on the door came next. The ref again. We were out swiftly and so were Craigmount. On the pitch again and ref starts us off. Craigmount really came at us hard! A quick start and an early corner. The ball was crossed in and the unmarked striker put it in for Craigmount. The pressure was on. The next 15 minutes seemed to be going Craigmount’s way until Dylan had a breakthrough on goal, slotting the ball past the keeper and into the net. GOAL. YES! 4-1! I feel great. From then on we spent most of the second half defending our lead until the centre half and captain, Rico hit a great shot into the bottom corner. That was it! It was won. Pressure off. There was no way back for Craigmount; they had been beaten. The last five minutes were a stroll! One, two, three – full time!!!
We had done what no other Scottish school team had ever done. We had won two Scottish Shield finals in a row. The atmosphere was phenomenal. The Shield and the medals were brought out and the two teams were lined out. The runners up were presented with their medals and then it was our turn. Captain at the end, we received our winners’ medals. For the second year in a row, Rico took the shield in his hand and encouraged by the crowd, he lifted the Scottish Cup Shield! To represent a school team is one thing, but to do it in such a manner is truly amazing!!!
