Underdog tag suits East Craigie fine in last eight

IT’S as big a game as they come this weekend for East Craigie Swifts U/16s but their proven ability to come through as underdogs sets them up nicely, according to coach Steven Fallon.

The Dundee side have come through a difficult run to make the Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday where they host Tynecastle at Craigie Park.

The Edinburgh outfit are one of the favourites to lift the trophy but it’s not the first time Fallon’s side have been unfancied to get through.

He said: “It’s been a tough run for us to get here — we beat Brechin away 3-1 in the first round, then had a difficult game against AM Soccer from Fife which we won 2-1.

“We had a trip up to Aberdeen which we won convincingly and then we played Edinburgh City, a team i n the same league as Tynecastle, and won 3-1.

“And in the last round, we won away at East Kilbride.

“We surprised people with that one — they were the favourites but the boys played brilliantly and we won 2-1 after extra time.

“It was backs to the wall but the boys got what they deserved, they worked so hard.

“It’ll be difficult on Sunday, they are one of the favourites and are unbeaten this season, so we’ll have to play well.”

It’s been a good season so far for East Craigie with a final place in the John Clark Motors Cup against Fairmuir and a quarter-final of the Queen’s Jubilee Cup on the horizon.

All this cup success, though, has meant they’ve only played four league games.

Steven added: “There’s only been one blip in the East Region Cup against the Blue Brazil.

“It’s been excellent, very positive and Sunday is a big game.

“The aim is to get some of these boys into the junior team over the next couple of years but to get some silverware would be a reward for their efforts.

“This is the best squad I’ve worked with so I’m l ooking forward to seeing how they do on this stage.

“A Scottish Cup quarter-final will be a new experience for the boys and it’ll be interesting to see how they adapt but in the East Kilbride game they’ve shown they can do it.”

Coupar Angus U/19s (blue) edged a close contest between themselves and Monifieth at Riverview with the visitors winning 1-0.

DUSC (tangerine) lost out 5-1 to Montrose in the U/13s Cafe Royale League on the Craigie 3G.

Dundee Rangers U/16s (white) and Monifieth couldn’t be separated at Riverview as they shared the points in the Bill Mills League with a 1-1 draw.

The sun was shining on the Craigie 3G for DUSC and Montrose (blue) U/13s but it was the Angus side who were beaming at the end, winning 5-1.