Page 104 - Herioter 2020

GIRLS’ FOOTBALL:
Project Grant comes

to an end

Editor’s Note: As you will see from the
previous page, Mark Grant left Heriot’s
in March. As well as his work in the
MFL Department, Mark’s legacy is the
phenomenal strength of girls’ football
– a process he began 20 years ago. His
final report is published in full below: an
account of a season and also a further
tribute to Mark.
Notwithstanding the early cessation
of the season on account of Covid-19 Heriot’s Girls Football Club 2019-20
and the absence of the SISFA 7s
tournaments, this year undoubtedly School. Taking fifteen players from S1- tournament in central midfield, as were
ranks among the busiest and most S3 enabled us to field two squads, giving Francesca Massie and debutant Layla
successful ever, with in excess of sixty everybody lots of game time, with our Wilson playing in the wide areas, with
girls participating, a number of squads opponents doing likewise. Though the goalkeeper Aïne Sandilands behind Ella
involved at the business end of national primary objective was to get some Beaton-Hill and Ilona Salters giving us a
competitions and a healthy level of matches under our belt, three wins solid platform from which to build.
regional and national representation and one draw with fifteen goals scored Concluding our round of fixtures with a
from individual players. and only three conceded nevertheless fine 3-1 win versus The Mary Erskine
gave grounds for optimism, with new School, Gemma helping herself to
Junior School arrivals Madeleine Carruthers and another brace and Ella also getting in
An unprecedented level of demand goalkeeper Martha Kibby of S3 making on the act, saw the girls placed second
saw the creation of very popular and an immediate impact and the S1 trio overall, ultimately falling just short of a
well attended weekly P6 sessions to of Ella Beaton-Hill, Gemma McGregor coveted place at the national finals for
complement those already established and Ilona Salters more than holding what would have been a third time in
for P7, with particular thanks to Alastair their own against older and physically five years; a fine showing from a squad
stronger opponents, making a telling a
Morrison for coaching this group. As for contribution to what was a terrific effort which had never previously played
the P7 sessions, as always they could all round. together.
not run without the very considerable
efforts and commitment of Maxine Scottish Schools FA U14 Scottish Schools FA U15
Anderson and Val Clark, to whom we 7s
extend our continued gratitude. This Scottish Cup 7s And so to the U15 national 7s, a
year the girls also benefited considerably We contested the South East regional competition in which we had qualified
from the coaching input of Charlotte round of this year’s U14 7s with a squad for the regional semi-finals in each of
Maconachie (S6) and Eilidh Adams (S4), of eight players drawn from S1 and S2, the previous five seasons; an incredible
continuing a long established and most thus once again being able to guarantee record. This time, however, it wasn’t
welcome tradition within the club of everybody plenty time on the pitch. to be as we lost out narrowly to both
senior and former players supporting Though our opening fixture saw us on The Mary Erskine School (1-0) and
the development of younger girls. They the receiving end of a 4-3 defeat to Gracemount High School (2-0) in two
certainly could not have had better role eventual winners Boroughmuir High very intense and closely contested
models than Charlotte and Eilidh, who School, the girls had nevertheless put in encounters. This was a day on which
I know will have inspired them and, a fine performance to run a very strong things didn’t quite run for us, particularly
team close, with Gemma McGregor
whilst the corona virus may ultimately opening her account for the afternoon in the final third, despite enjoying
put paid to participation in this season’s courtesy of a splendid hat-trick. good possession, playing some fine
Sciennes Cup, both Junior School groups passing football and creating decent
nevertheless deserve enormous credit Next up was George Watson’s College opportunities. As a coach you often
for the excellent manner in which they in what turned out to be an equally learn more about your players in defeat
have applied themselves. pulsating encounter with a 2-2 share than you do in victory, and the girls
of the spoils about right, Gemma once should be commended for not allowing
Senior School again demonstrating her prowess in their customary levels of effort, energy
front of goal. Meanwhile Emily O’Hagan
The season kicked off with an U15 and commitment to slip, or indeed their
7s double header away to Ross High and Riana Browning were having a fine heads to go down throughout.

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