Holyrood 2 Braidhurst 4

Braidhurst made it through to the semi-final of the under 15s Scottish Shield after a very eventful match.

Braidhurst lined up without their deadly striker Dylan Falconer who was absent due to a calf strain.

Rico Quitongo moved from central defence into midfield whilst the ever reliable Dillon McCreath took his place alongside Ross Wilson in defence. This gave Jake Hastie a chance to be wide left in a front three.

After a tense start Braidhurst settled down into their natural game with Jake Hastie giving the Holyrood right back a torrid time. The away team soon opened the scoring through Nick Mullen which settled the nerves even more.

The heavens then opened and tremendous downpour took place leaving players and coaches soaked through. Luckily this had no real effect on the play as the pitch was 3G. If it had been a grass pitch then the outcome could have been very different.

Jordan Duncan was doing well down the right hand side despite some heavy handed treatment from the opposition. In fact it took several fouls before the referee finally booked a Holyrood player.

The referee awarded the home team a foul for a push just outside the box. Holyrood managed to convert this free-kick bringing the game back to all square.

Then came a real moment of controversy. Braidhurst restored their lead through Ryan Watt only for the referee to send off Nick Mullen for what he deemed to be an obscene gesture. This bemused not only the player but also the onlookers who could see no wrong in his celebration.

Holyrood came close to equalising as one of their players rounded Adam Sinnet in the Braidhurst goal only to see his shot run agonisingly past the post.

Half-Time Holyrood 1 Braidhurst 2

The half-time team talked revolved around getting the players to keep calm and move into a 5-3-1 formation for the second half.

Despite the nature of the team talk Jordan Duncan exacted some revenge for the treatment he had been receiving and was rightly booked by the referee.

Braidhurst kept coming at Holyrood and managed to claim a corner from which a scramble ensued in the box which led to Ross Wilson heading the ball into the net giving the away team a much needed two goal cushion.

Holyrood kept plugging away at Braidhurst and a ball over the top saw keeper Sinnet come to meet the ball and collide with the on rushing Holyrood player. The referee saw this as a foul and awarded a spot kick which was converted.

All this with twenty minutes remaining. Braidhurst defended very well and Ryan Watt playing up front on his own displayed some wonderful hold up skills buying his team some much needed respite.

Then Andrew McNulty found himself free in the middle of the park and looking up saw the Holyrood keeper off his line and chipped him to score the last goal of the game.

With their two goal lead restored Braidhurst managed to see out the rest of the game and take their place in the semi-final of the tournament.

Well done to ‘Don’t Fret’ from Braidhurst High School who performed at this year’s Rockfest Battle of the Bands.   The band only formed 7 months ago and are made up of four S5 pupils, Hannah Allan, Jack Clarke, Ben Oliphant and Fraser McCormick.   The idea for applying for this competition was after winning our school talent show.   The band performed a cover of ‘Jenny was a Friend of Mine’ by the Killers and their own composition ‘Watch’ which was co-written by Hannan and Ben.   Hannan said, “Performing in front of so many people for the first time was an incredible experience I doubt any of us will ever forget”.   We are extremely proud of our pupils and look forward to hearing them perform again soon.

Visitors from North Lanarkshire and North Ayrshire education authorities recently visited Braidhurst High to see the work going on in the Nurture Unit. Led by Principal Educational Psychologist Alison MacDonald, they spent an entire morning in the base with pupils and staff seeing the work being undertaken. They also spoke with Mrs Nicola Ritchie, Principal Teacher of Learning Support, and teacher Elizabeth Neilson who both outlined the type of work undertaken in various year groups. The pupils showcased a range of practical activities to the visitors who then took part with the pupils. Senior Depute Head Teacher Mrs Kathryn Clarke also took part and outlined the background issues associated with the setting up of the base.

Parents of pupils in second year recently attended a meeting in the school regarding progress and subject choice.   Mrs Anne Macdonald, Depute Head in charge of third year, gave parents an overview of issues related to Curriculum for Excellence and also the procedures for selection of subjects for third year.   Mrs Vhairi Ainsworth, Principal Teacher of Pupil Support, outlined the ongoing work in social education regarding preparing the pupils for subject choice.   The parents then had the opportunity to speak with individual subject teaching staff regarding pupil progress.

Recently Motherwell Fc kindly accommodated 16 fourth year pupils who are part of the Scottish FA School of Football programme based in the school.   The pupils thoroughly enjoyed spending the entire week training each morning and learning about many other aspects of the running of a football club.   The programme was organised through Academy Director Scott Leitch, as part of the partnership between the school and club.   Ms Leeann Dempster the Chief Executive delivered a welcome and overview of the club and Alan Marshall covering safety and facilities.   Mickey Ellis spoke to the group about his work as chief groundsman whilst Diane Harvey dealt with commercial issues.   Ticketing was covered by Wendy McFarlane and Alison Wallace covering ‘Well Society’.   Community aspects were dealt with by Graeme McArthur including a coaching session and a very good session of yoga.   Alan Burrows covered media interviews with match analysis dealt with by Ross Clarkson whilst Ally Reilly covered web designing.  The final part of the very full programme was a stadium tour conducted by Christopher MacFarlane.   The coaching sessions each morning were taken by Scott Leitch and Jonatan Johansson, and the players took part with great enthusiasm.   There were many highlights for the boys, including having lunch with the players who were extremely friendly and encouraging towards the group.   The Rector Mr Derrick Hannan said, “On behalf of the boys, I wish to express the schools thanks to Leeann and Scott and all the other staff who contributed towards what was an absolutely memorable week in their football programme.   The club’s Football Academy is based in Braidhurst High and this has certainly built up the strong relationship which has made this programme possible”.

In the 5^th round of the Scottish Cup, Braidhurst faced a daunting journey to Monifieth to play for a place in the quarter finals.   Monifieth were a very physical side with lots of tall players.   Braidhurst started very well, knocking the ball down but the pitch was unsuitable for passing the ball around.   Braidhurst spent most of the first 10 minutes in Monifieth’s half with several chances on goal but their keeper saved them.   Monifieth looked dangerous when they had the chance to counter.   On a counter attack they won a corner and scored a header after a well worked corner.   Braidhurst did not let their heads go down and kept piling on the pressure.   On the 20^th minute after good work by Jack Keary and Lewis Guy on the left hand side, Jack Simpson crossed the ball for Robbie Falconer to finish.   Braidhurst continued to press and keep on the pressure, but while Monifieth looked dangerous on the counter, some solid defending kept them at bay.

In the second half Braidhurst started well and were passing the ball round.   Jack Simpson burst through the defence but was tackled illegally in the box.   He scored the resulting penalty.   After this, Monifieth began to press and push up but spaces started to appear in midfield.  After some great work down the left hand side the ball was crossed in to the box.   Greg Miller collected the ball, turned and smashed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.   At this point Braidhurst looked very much in control and with the midfield partnership of Lewis Gamble and Reece Geddes functioning extremely well it was only a matter of time until more goals came.   On the 55^th minute Robbie Falconer made a great run down the right beating a couple of players and then smashed the ball over the keeper and into the net from outside the box.   The final goal came in the 62^nd minute at a corner.   Braidhurst had never looked like scoring from a corner but this one was different.   As the ball came in, Marc Smith jumped the highest to head the ball past the goal keeper to make it 5-1.   Well done to all the boys who played.   They played well in tough conditions.

Goal scorer(s)

Jack Simpson

Greg Miller

Marc Smith

Robbie Falconer (2)

Men of the match (Nominated by Mr Inch)

Tom Leighton

Reece Geddes