Well done to all the pupils who took part in this years Youth Games. Musselburgh finished fifth overall with great results in the S2 boys rugby finishing runners up and S1/S2 girls football winning their section. Also a big thank you to all the teachers and coaches that were involved in making the day possible.
Musselburgh Prove to be Come Back Kings
Musselburgh Grammar School’s U-14 football side know they had a very lucky escape as they miraculously snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
In the final run-in of the East & Midlothian schools league championship, Musselburgh Grammar who are undefeated faced a visiting North Berwick High School. Having previously thumped the seaside town 10-0 before Christmas, the Honest Toun side must have thought this would be like taking ice cream from a baby. However, nothing could have been further from the truth.
The first half saw a doggedly determined North Berwick side defend in numbers and their resilience frustrated the Musselburgh side who, were for the majority of the opening period encamped in the North Berwick half. Musselburgh struggled to break down the North Berwick side and on the rare occasion when they did break through, the visiting keeper Oewn Thompson was on-hand to deny the home side an advantage.
The second half proved to be more of the same and again Musselburgh were denied an opener with a combination of poor finishing, resolute defending and some bad luck as they struck the bar and post.
With twenty minutes of time remaining, the unthinkable happened, North Berwick took the lead. Following a high ball down the middle, Musselburgh’s sweeper and captain Dean McKenzie raced back to nod the ball back to his own keeper, however, the advancing Cossetini was deceived as McKenzie’s header put the ball to his side causing him to dive and save. He spilled the ball which landed at the feet at the advancing North Berwick striker Mark Samson who had the simplest of tasks to side foot the ball home.
Buoyed by the surprise lead, the North Berwick players fought harder for every ball, defending to the last, sometimes clearing the ball from the goal line. For the away support and any passing neutral it was a fantastic game of schools football full of thrills. In an effort to chase the game Musselburgh pilled forward committing to three attackers at the cost of reducing their defenders. On another direct break down the middle the confident Mark Samson ran free and from 25 yards despatched a low shot passed Musselburgh’s reserve keeper Taylor Sugden.
As the light dimmed on this late afternoon tie so did Musselburgh’s league title chances and the players knew it. There was now less than ten minutes remaining and it looked as if the Honest Toun had blown their opportunity to win the championship.
The visiting coach Gordon Docherty and his travelling support were fully vocal and it has to be said that their young players had done a sterling job and had proudly represented their school in a match they were deservedly winning.
However, football is a funny old game and with the minutes ebbing away, the flood of Musselburgh goals commenced. Jack Kennedy started the comeback scoring from close range. His effort was eclipsed with less than five minutes remaining by Stuart Lumsden who released unstoppable shot to level the scoring.
Grammar’s Scott McPherson catapulted his team into the lead with two minutes left to play with a wonderful solo effort and it was Hamish Hunter who rounded off the comeback with a final minute goal to give the home side a two goal cushion with virtually the last kick of the ball.
Musselburgh not just rescued this match, but the league title campaign in the most dramatic fashion.
Musselburgh team coach said ‘I started schools football in 1988 and in my twenty years I do no think I have seen anything quite like this. I do feel a little sorry for the North Berwick lads, they have fought bravely and played really well.’
North Berwick
Owen Thompson, gk
Calum Finlayson
Callum Hill
Callum Claysey-Gibb
Lewis Carmichael
Shaun McCafferty
Findlay Glynn
Andrew Stewart
Ewan Rycroft
Euan Bowden
Mark Samson
Musselburgh Grammar
Ryan Cossetini
Taylor Sugden
Colin Kilday
Ryan Scott
Dean McKenzie
Blair Ramsey
Chris Jamieson
Dean Ferguson
Hamish Hunter
Jamie Forbes
Murray Whyte
Scott McPherson
Kristaps Makars
Jack Kennedy
Callum Kerr
Stuart Lumsden
Ryan Leishman
Daniel Ingram
MGS v Lasswade High U-14’s
4 - 1
Pictured is Musselburgh Grammar School’s goalkeeper Ryan Cossettini receiving his Man of the Match award from team sponsor John Leask of ZOT Engineering with Hibs new signing Colin Nish looking on.
Following the disappointment of exiting the Scottish Cup last month at the hands of Newbattle High School, Musselburgh had failed to play a single match as a result of recent poor weather.
However, the Grammar lads appeared to have lost no enthusiasm for their football as they hosted a league match against Midlothian side Lasswade High. In the previous encounter, Musselburgh were perhaps fortunate to snatch a win before the Christmas break with a stunning free-kick from left back Ryan Scott securing all three points in the dying minutes. There was little doubt that the Honest Toun players were in for a real tough match at Pinkie Playing Fields.
Skipper Dean McKenzie won the toss for Mussleburgh and wisely elected to play down the light gradient with the wind at his back. The home sided started the game well and were able to retain possession, stringing several passes together as they eased themselves back into their style of play.
Their patience paid dividends after sixteen minutes when striker Callum Kerr was fed the ball and he connected well to open the scoring for the Grammar side.
Seven minutes later Musselburgh stretched their led when make-shift striker Stuart Lumsden raced clear of the Lasswade defence to slot home goal number two.
Musselburgh were enjoying a real purple patch of football and their ability to control the play left the Lasswade side facing, not just a stiff wind, but an opposition that were also blowing them away.
Goal number three was dispatched by Grammar’s Jack Kennedy. Following a break down the right flank, Murray Whyte whipped in an early and low pass which the galloping Kenndy met at the near post and turned it passed past a helpless Lasswade keeper.
Musselburgh looked to be comfortable and looking forward to well earned respite at the interval, but with only two minutes of the first period remaining Lasswade won a corner kick. The ball was crossed in and Musselburgh’s Cossettini looked to have risen well and claimed the ball, however, Lasswade’s Harry Tranent challenged strongly causing the ball to fall from his clutch. The fiery red-head, Tranent, took the gift and stroked the ball home. Cries of foul from the home support fell on deaf ears as match official Gary Dinwoodie signalled for a goal and headed for the centre-circle. It was a blow that breathed spirit back into the visitors.
With the match set to come alive, the Musselburgh team manager was well aware that with the advantage of kicking down-hill and the wind at their back, the bigger Lasswade side would prove to be a more formidable opponent having pulled back a goal.
The inevitable onslaught was soon underway and the pressure was beginning to tell on some of the Grammar players as their trademark fluid passing deserted them. Lasswade attacked at every turn, winning a series of corners that added to the sustained strain on the Musselburgh defence.
The Midlothain side found themselves thwarted by a resolute Musselburgh back-four and their resilience and determination not to concede a goal was almost tangible. Marshalled by captain Dean McKenzie, full-backs Colin Kilday and Ryan Scott stood firm with centre-half Chris Jamieson proving to one of the stand-out performances of the day. Jamieson was equal to everything thrown at him, constantly being in the right place at the right time. On the few occasions Lasswade were able to sneak through the rear-guard, home keeper Ryan Cossettini was not found wanting in goal, making several crucial saves to extinguish any chink of light the visitors thought they might have had.
The final nail in the coffin was applied by Ryan Leishman. Following a more Musselburgh like build up Leishman was on hand at the rear post to knock home number four from close range.
Towards the end of play Lasswade midfielder Stuart Rutherford let loose a thunderbolt from 18 yards. The shot was well saved by Cossettini who pushed the ball upwards causing it to strike the cross-bar and dropping safely back into his arms. The visiting players could be forgiven for thinking it simply wasn’t going to be their day.
At the final whistle the Grammar lads celebrated a good win and a fine performance that takes them a step closer to the league championship. They have dropped only two points in the campaign, with several fixtures still to play, most notably with an away tie to Newbattle High School.
Team boss Scott Robertson said ‘I am delighted with the manner in which the boys played and performed. We are difficult to score against and we concentrate on ball possession. We had our backs to the wall for most of the second period, but the players will to win and determination carried us through. We need to keep winning if we have any chance of being in contention come the end of the season.’
Musselburgh will host Preston Lodge in their next league encounter.
American football makes its way to MGS on Friday 1st Feb as MGS take on the newly formed AF team, Ross High school. The action will begin at 2.00 as both squads who have been prepped by Wolves Coach Tom Cramb, do battle.
All welcome game will be staged on the grass area at the back of PE.
Well done to the Un 14 boys Hockey squad who took part in the Core Programme Hockey Tournament at Meadowmill. The team were awarded the 'Most Improved' title after going from strength to strength following a shaky start. Great Job boys. Check out the squad below. The hockey squad trains on Tuesdays 4-5pm. See Mr Woodhead for more information.
Well done to Joe Cunningham and Scot Raeburn who won gold at this years SEN National Swimming Gala in Glasgow.
above: Mr Woodhead with his prize swimmin champs
The Basketball tournament for S1 - S3 pupils will now be on wednesday 5th of December, 4 -5 pm. Entry forms are available from Mr Woodhead, the schools sports coordinator, if you are interested hand the forms in a.s.a.p. The tournament will be 3 a-side, with an optional substitiute.
So if you think you are good enough then get a team together and get your names down!!
Come and play table tennis every Monday 4-5 and Tuesday lunchtime (1-1.25).
Come along for a laugh and to try out your skills with the best in the school and Mr Woodhead might drop in.
No experience required, just bring your kit, all years and teachers are welcome.
Their are up and coming competitions and leauge matches so if you are inetrested in partcipating then come along to the club.
The club is coached by Senior Spors Leaders.
Check out this new site if you are interested in American Football. Also don't forget we are still training on Mondays 4-5pm in PE (Grass area) full kit provided. Great Links with Edinburgh Wolves. Exhibtion game coming in late January.
www.getintoamericanfootball.com
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