Under 13s Football News from Lockerbie Academy - Thursday 28 May 2009

Tonight in Glasgow, Lockerbie Academy’s Under-13 Football team make history as the first school team to reach a SSFA National Final. They have reached this stage after 7 rounds, in the largest schools’ competition with over 200 teams at the start. The team has had a great run beating some very large schools – Stranraer 5-0, Calder Glen (East Kilbride) 4-1, and St Andrews & St Brides (East Kilbride) 6-2. In the last 16 they travelled to Fraserburgh beating the local Academy 8-4 after extra time and then pipped Portlethan Academy 2-1 with a last minute winner at Galabank. In the semi-final the team beat the favourites for the Cup – St Andrew’s High (Coatbridge) 4-0 at Cumnock.

This has been a great season for the young team – having won the Regional league, playing Stranraer in the Regional Cup Final next week and also playing against Holy Cross in the South-West Regional Cup semi-final.

Congratulations go to the whole squad – Robbie Carter, Jordan McGinley, Conor Graham, Bob McGowan, Danny Graham, Kyran Jackson, Zak Caldwell, Luke Hammond, Levi Carrick, Dean Smith, Kieron McCrudden, Sean Dunbar, Eddie Booth, Lee Scott, Ross Burgess, Robbie Collins, Ryan Arthur, Kerr Hogg, Calum Robson, Zac Lockerbie.

In preparation for the final which will be played on a FIFA 2 star astro turf the boys have been training at Annan Athletic’s all weather facilities. On Tuesday they travelled up to Glasgow to play on the surface as unfortunately there are no quality, full size facilities in the Region. In contrast our opponent’s home pitch is a Council astro-turf surface.

The school would like to thank all parents who have given the team great support this season, Annan Athletic for use of their facilities and Houstons buses for getting all our teams to games on time!

Final word for the boys – try your best, give it your best shot. You already have had a memorable season.