Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ferry duo square up in high-noon showdown
FERRY will be looking to claim the bragging rights on Sunday when they meet local rivals Broughty Panthers in the first round of the U/15 Tommy Clark Trophy.
Many of the players attend Grove Academy and there is likely to be a healthy rivalry when the teams square up at Claypotts at noon.
But, while it’s sure to be a hard-fought game, Ferry gaffer Lee Meldrum insists it will be fairly contested.
“Sunday’s match is a bit of a derby as many of the lads are at school together,” said Meldrum.
“But the games between us are always fair and I don’t expect Sunday to be any different.
“I know their manager Alan Denny. He has a good side and they have been doing OK so it should be a good game. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ferry have reason to be optimistic going into the tie after a convincing 7-1 win over Celtic in the U/15 George Taylor League last weekend.
Rory Smith grabbed a double, as did Harry Caswell, and there were singles for Kai Meldrum, who blotted his copybook by missing a penalty, Jay Sorrie and Adam Lee.
“It was pretty tight for about 20-25 minutes but once Jay (Sorrie) grabbed the first goal, the floodgates opened,” added Meldrum, who has been pleased with his side’s current run of form.
“We have been going well and, although we lost in the Scottish Cup, it was just one of those days when every time the opposition went up the park the ball ended up in our net.
“We had our problems earlier in the season when we had several lads out with injuries.
“We even had to find another keeper as our regular No 1 Aaron Caird was sidelined.
“We were fortunate to get a lad from Brechin, Hayden Church, and he has come in and done well.”
Recognition of the club’s efforts has come in the shape of two of the players — Meldrum and Moby Ogunlaja — being selected for the CYP Scotland team.
Unfortunately, a scheduled game against Grampian on Saturday had to be postponed due to the weather.
It’s hoped it can be rearranged for a future date.