Broxburn lift Scottish trophy in historic victory for West Lothian
Broxburn Academy romped through the early rounds and duly completed a fantastic run by defeating Banff Academy 3-1 in the final of the Scottish Girls’ Under-15 Shield at Station Park in Forfar.
Not only was it a first-ever win for Broxburn, but the girls made history by becoming the first West Lothian school to lift the trophy since it was introduced in 1998. And the same squad will be gunning for a double today when they take part in finals day at the Scottish under-15 Sevens at Toryglen in Glasgow.
In fact, it could turn out to be a terrific tuesday for brox burn Academy. The school is also on the shortlist for the Learning to Employment Award to be announced tonight at the Education Scotland Awards in Glasgow.
“I’m delighted for the girls,” said Head Teacher Peter Reid, whose only problem is that the schools’ trophy cabinet isn’t big enough to house the Shield.
It was an exciting and impressive road to the final. After a bye, it was into round two and a 6-0 win over Greenfaulds High School.
Round three was a 9-0 win over Madras College and it was another goal feast in a 9-4 triumph over Preston Lodge in the quarter-finals. In the semis, the school beat Lourdes Secondary 6-2, so the final was by far the closest match. Playing into the wind at Station Park, the Broxburn girls, slightly against the run of play, fell behind to Banff. But, with the wind at their backs in the second half, the West Lothian goal machine was well and truly in motion. Emma Mcfadyen equalised and then added a second with 15 minutes left. Broxburn were then awarded a penalty, but Zoe Evans missed from the spot.
But Zoe put the miss behind her and scored a cracker of a goal a few minutes later to seal the win.
Mr Reid and football coach, Rab Swindells were understandably proud of the squad, and a large group of parents, staff and friends were all up in Forfar to join in with the celebrations.
It was a huge team effort. Goalkeeper Tegayn Hamilton commanded her area, made several excellent saves and her distribution invariably turned defence into attack.
Captain Mairead Brash, Nicole Aitken, Eloise Hagan and Rossha Muirhead were solid at the back and pushed forward whenever possible to support attacks. Vice captain, Ellie Muirhead, Morgan Mccauley and Anna Dickov dominated midfield.
Anna was a particularly effective play maker and, on the rare occasions that she lost possession, she invariably chased back and regained the ball.
Megan Mclaren made an immediate impact when she came on as a substitute but the part she played was cut short when she was injured in a a bad tackle.
This, however, seemed to be the catalyst that pulled the girls together as they seemed determined to win for Megan, who watched the rest of the game from the dugout.
Ellie Morgan, Emma Bell, Emily Grant and Shannon Green were late substitutes and helped Broxburn remain dominant, running out comfortable winners. Jessica Mcfadyen and Aylee Ross, who both played big parts on the road to the final, were both injured but shared in the team’s winning achievement.