Page 108 - Herioter 2020

putting the boys in real contention to
top the group. The style of football we
were playing was enthralling at times
and far more pleasing to watch than
many of our opponents. However,
the physicality, combined with the
demanding fixture list, proved too much
for some and the squad was peppered
with injuries. Soon the Edinburgh derby
was upon us, with the auld enemy,
Watson’s, fielding a team of brutish S6s
who had no intention of playing football
and seemingly wanted to kick lumps
out of their more attractive opponents.
Saughton was packed, with the 1st XI
faithful (Sam B and Mrs Hood) bringing
the noise. The boys simply needed to
keep their heads and their quality would
pull through. However, the referee
had other ideas: Liam ‘LC7’ Clark was
BOYS’ FOOTBALL: those involved. A Lothian League Cup sent for an early shower after just
final, a SISFA semi-final, a third place
a season of two league finish, and three humiliations 15 minutes; his lawyers have advised
me not to comment further on the
halves of Watson’s! With only five members circumstances of the dismissal. It was
of the 2018/19 squad returning the an uphill battle with Watson’s leading
Once upon a time on a recreational pitch following season, it was clear that trying 2-1 with less than a minute to play.
far, far away... from Goldenacre to match these achievements would be Then, all of a sudden, Heriot’s were on
an arduous task.
For football fans around the world, this the attack and the prodigious Hood was
season has been something of a write After a few demanding pre-season scythed down inside the box. With the
off. For players at all levels it has training sessions, we were straight into first-choice penalty taker no longer
been a season of unfinished business. the action: the younger boys in the on the pitch, Healy stepped forward.
So, you may be surprised to hear me team had been chucked in at the deep It was a bold move from young Healy,
say that I think this season has come end with an away trip at Musselburgh. who unfortunately proceeded to smack
at a good time for the Heriot’s senior There were several notable debut the ball straight down the middle at the
boys’ football team. But hear me out, all performances: Andy ‘No Nonsense’ virtually stationary Watson’s goalkeeper.
will become clear once I have finished McCall, Alan Raff, Charlie Hogg, Seb Cries of ‘Oh, Neil’ rang out around
taking you through the highs and lows Morawiecki, Laurence ‘Lauro’ Linklater, Saughton.
of the 2019/20 season. Buckle up: the and two S4s, Adam ‘Weir-dinho’ Weir The 2-1 defeat was followed by two
journey is not all smooth sailing. and Daniel Hood. Yes, that is over half more 2-1 defeats, with the boys
Our story begins on a wet and windy the team, and with a further three showing glimpses of their potential.
night at Ainslie Park; the date is May 15, players – Paul Christie, Neil Healy Debuts for Nathan Barlow and
2019 and the senior boys’ football team and Douglas ‘Sink’ Sinclair – playing Alessandro Alonzi followed in the
have suffered defeat in their first ever only their second ever game of senior coming weeks due to a combination
League Cup final. The record-breaking football, the performance was quite of their work ethic in training, injury
2018/19 season has ended. In the remarkable. The boys battled well and struggles and LC7 related suspensions.
changing room after the game, coach came away with a 4-2 win. The phrase The team rotation proved a success as
Jamie Hawkins hammers home the point ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ justice prevailed with a 1-0 thrashing
that he had been making since the start springs to mind when I reflect on the of a quite horrible Boroughmuir team
of the season: school football is about early season games: the fixtures came in at Saughton. Despite Lewis ‘Brighty’
making memories with your mates, it is thick and fast and there was little time Bright’s best efforts, another penalty
about giving S6s good memories to take for the boys to adjust to the physicality miss did not cost the team this
away from their time at Heriot’s. of senior football. time! A 3-0 win away to Clifton Hall
Although that unprecedented cup run A rocky start to the league season saw followed, with the boys were growing
ended in defeat, the consensus from the team sitting in the bottom half in confidence. The younger boys were
coaches, players and staff was that of the Lothian League. The SISFA was improving by the game and beginning to
we had experienced a season that going better, with resounding wins adjust to the demands of senior football.
will live long in the memories of all of over Stewart’s Melville ‘B’ and Fettes, Just as the team was coming together

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