Graeme High weather a storm to land Scot Shield

The under-13s boys’ football squad lifted the Scottish Schools Shield at a rain-lashed Ochilview Park in Stenhousemuir last Thursday.

After fighting their way through seven rounds, almost 150 teams, snow, hail, rain and gales, a 2-0 victory secured the prize over Holyrood Secondary school from Glasgow.

The win mirrors the Scottish schools shield lifted by the Graeme girls last season.

After an early downpour both teams came close to scoring in an extremely wet and evenly matched first half, with Graeme High twice hitting the post and goalkeeper Jay Hogarth denying Holyrood with two outstanding saves.

Midway through the second half a shot from Kai Collinson rebounded into the path of Ben Woloszyn who smashed the ball into the net off the underside of the bar to give Graeme a 1-0 lead.

The victory was clinched in the closing seconds when Kyle Russell scored after excellent work from Greig Moore and Kai Fotheringham.

Minutes later the captain, Greig Moore, lifted the Scottish Shield, the first time the school has won the Under 13 national championship.

Team coach Kieran Tennant, who oversaw the winning season with Frank Levey said: “Well done to the 16 boys who performed superbly on Thursday and to all 24 who represented the school magnificently throughout the campaign.”