Scottish Cup – Braidhurst vs Alva

Braidhurst senior boys began their under 18 Scottish Cup campaign with a superb 5-0 victory over Alva Academy at Braidhurst High School on the 31st October. The team will now face Sterling High School in the 3rd round. Both teams set a good, early tempo to the game and appeared more than capable of keeping possession well and playing the ball out from the back under pressure. Braidhurst however were first to take the initiative as they opened the scoring in the 6th minute of the match, as Mark Montgomery played a clever ball over the top of the Alva defence which Alistair Small latched onto and audaciously lobbed the goalkeeper to put the hosts in front. It was 3rd time lucky for Barry Frew as he claimed his first goal of the game and the team’s second on the 24th minute after a dashing counter attack from Braidhurst following an Alva corner. Goals from Liam Scott and Dylan Morrow gave Braidhurst a 4-0 lead. The fifth and final goal came on effectively the last kick of the ball as a long pass was played over the top of Alva’s defence for Barry Frew to chase. He showed great pace to surge past the opposition’s right back and round the keeper to make it 5-0. The referee felt it was appropriate to stop the game on 70 minutes instead of the intended 80 – wrapping up a good day’s work for the seniors. After the game, Mr. Clarke was impressed with the team’s performance in which was their first game back together this season. One player lauded by Mr. Clarke for his performance was midfield dynamo Liam Scott.  Liam was impressed not just by his own performance, but by the performance of the whole team as well.  He believes they have a ‘great chance’ of lifting the trophy come May with the team they have, which is still to gain players back from injury. Braidhurst: Purves, McDonald, Reid, Sinclair, Peacock, Fleming (Morrow 40), Scott, Redfern, Frew, Montgomery, Small

Report by: Jay Blakeway