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National Competitions (651)
In the midst of this year’s cup final season, it’s easy to be emotionally impacted by the loss of a potential trophy. An example of a few teams who have been impacted by this is the four teams who, in the semi-finals, had the SSFA Senior Shield (Scottish Schools' Cup) postponed.
In January 2020, four teams felt the overwhelming joy of qualifying for the last four of this cup tournament. Bearsden Academy (Bearsden), St John’s HS (Dundee), St Ninian’s HS (Giffnock) and Woodmill HS (Fife) all remained. However, players will be left low as their potential Scottish cup-winning season is nipped in the bud prematurely.
All football at every level in Scotland has been cancelled for the foreseeable by the Scottish Government as an effective and important method of slowing the spread of Covid-19.
This decision was entirely correct and the government guidelines towards cup competitions are hardly at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Yet for those involved, the cancelled cup competitions will hold personal importance. Much like the four schools mentioned earlier, many boys and girls across Scotland have had cup finals or against-the-odds cup runs cancelled this season so it is important to explore the potential emotions brought by this and the best way forward for youth players in Scotland.
Speaking to Bearden Academy forward, Robbie Fisher-Gibb, he said he felt that he had: "every confidence in our team to win at least the treble [including the Scottish Cup) – we had such a strong squad and lots of strength in depth, and this showed when we beat some quality sides with only 11 or 12 men.”
This season for Robbie is something he will remember, despite unfortunately losing the opportunity to win many trophies.
Robbie did feel emotionally affected by the potential this season could’ve had as he said: "It really is a sore one to take due to the fact I think we could’ve gone all the way, but in the time that we played as a team we only dropped two points from however many games.
"In a way, that makes it even more difficult to take. Teams like this one come few and far between."
Asked how he will move forward Robbie said: ‘The best thing I can do personally is to forget about it. Nothing is to say that we can't do the same next year, as our year (in school) has been very successful when it comes to winning trophies.
"It will be a shock to the system and it’ll be hard to get my head around but hopefully we can somewhat replicate it when the season begins”.
Just like many young players, Robbie is focusing on getting himself ready for next season, to keep fit he “runs 5K three times a week and completes weight training in order to come back fitter and stronger for the start of next season."
Training, exercising and practicing are the best ways to come back better when football is given the green light at a safer time.
It is clear that Robbie’s method of getting over this seasons abandoned competitions is to look with excitement to the future and hold hope and anticipation for what is to come in the next few years. This is something any young Scottish player should do, the cancellation of a season wont be the end of the world instead focus on achieving bigger and better things next season.
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Friday, 06 March 2020 09:20
Dates and Venues Decided for Scottish Youth FA Cup Semi Finals
Written by Calum McCaffery
The dates and venues for the semi finals of the inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup for all age groups have been decided.
The venues were decided by a lot where both participating teams submitted a preferred venue and one was picked at random.
All ties will be played on weekends in March, with the first matches taking place on the 15th.
Here are all the confirmed fixtures:
U13
East End United BC vs East End Lewis Youth
Venue: Formartine Juniors FC
Date and Time: 22nd March, 2:00pm
East Kilbride YC vs Musselburgh Windsor
Venue: Musselburgh Athletic JFC
Date and Time: 22nd March, 1:00pm
U14
Portobello CFA vs Scotland BC Central
Venue: Oriam Performance Centre
Date and Time: 15th March, 3:00pm
Erskine YFC vs Dyce BC Whites
Venue: New Western Park, Renfrew
Date and Time: 29th March, 1:00pm
U15
Fairmuir BC vs Greig Park Rangers
Venue: Starks Park, Kirkcaldy
Date and Time: 15th March, 1:00pm
Hutchison Vale vs Cove BC
Venue: Spain Park, Aberdeen
Date and Time: 22nd March, 1:00pm
U16
Cumbernauld Colts vs Motherwell FC CT
Venue: Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir
Date and Time: 22nd March, 1:00pm
LK Galaxy vs Hutchison Vale
Venue: Bo'ness Juniors JFC
Date and Time: 15th March, 1:00pm
U17
Glenvale AFC vs Johnstone Burgh
Venue: New Western Park, Renfrew
Date and Time: 22nd March, 1:00pm
Barrhead YFC vs KSC Kilwinning Rangers
Venue: Kilwinning Rangers JFC
Date and Time: 29th March, 1:00pm
U19
Giffnock SC vs Fairmuir BC
Venue: Dundee North End JFC
Date and Time: 22nd March, 1:00pm
Airdrieonians FCBC vs East Craigie Swifts
Venue: Dunipace Juniors FC, Denny
Date and Time: 29th March, 2:30pm
Best of luck to all teams involved!
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Tuesday, 18 February 2020 09:50
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U19's | Semi Final Ties Primed and Ready
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the U19's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
Only one team has confirmed their place in the final four, with Airdrie FC BC coming out on top in their quarter final tie against Neilston Juniors. They will face the winners of the match between East Craigie Swifts and Clydebank.
The other tie sees the winners of the match between Fairmuir and Glenvale take on either Giffnock SC or Valspar FC.
The semi finals are always a unique stage of the competition as there are no real home or away teams. The locations for the semis are decided by a draw where each team selects a preferred venue for the match.
Giffnock SC or Valspar FC vs Fairmuir BC or Glenvale AFC
Airdrie FC BC vs East Craigie Swifts or Clydebank FC
All tie will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Tuesday, 18 February 2020 09:37
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U17's | Former Champions Looking to Add Second Crown
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the U17's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
2017 Champions Barrhead YFC find themselves in the draw again, and will be hoping to reach the final at Airdrie once again, having fallen at this stage of the competition last season. They will face the winners of the tie between Kilwinning Rangers and Bellfield Royals.
The other tie sees Glenvale face Johnstone Burgh.
The semi finals of the competition are always unique, usually because there are no home or away teams. The location of the tie is decided via a draw where each team will submit a preferred venue to play the game.
Glenvale AFC vs Johnstone Burgh
Barrhead YFC vs Kilwinning Rangers or Bellfield Royals
All ties will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Tuesday, 18 February 2020 09:25
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U16's | Central Region Dominates Semi Final Draw
Written by Calum McCaffery.jpg)
The draw for the semi finals of the U16's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
The draw sees a majority of teams in the Central Region take part, with the only completed tie seeing Cumbernauld Colts and Motherwell FC CT face off. The other tie will see Hutchison Vale take on the winner of the match between LK Galaxy and Coylton.
The semi finals are a unique stage of the competition as there are no home or away teams. The location for the tie will be decided via a draw, where each team will submit a preferred venue to play the game.
Cumbernauld Colts vs Motherwell FC CT
LK Galaxy or Coylton vs Hutchison Vale
All ties will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Monday, 17 February 2020 16:12
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U15's | Repeat of 2018 Final in Semi Final Clash
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the U15's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
Hutchison Vale and Cove Youth will face each other in a repeat of the 2018 under 13's final. Hutchison Vale were victors on that occasion, with a narrow 4-3 win crowning them as champions.
The other tie will see the winners of the match between Fairmuir BC and Braehead take on the winners of the tie between Greig Park Rangers and East End Lewis Youth.
The venues for the semi final will be decided via a draw, where both teams will submit preferred locations to the SYFA.
Fairmuir BC or Braehead FC vs Greig Park Rangers or East End Lewis Youth
Hutchison Vale vs Cove Youth FC
All tie will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Monday, 17 February 2020 15:56
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U14's | Semi Final Clashes Set Up for Quarter Final Winners
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the U14's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
Due to the weather conditions last weekend, only one game went ahead at the U14 age group of the Scottish Cup, but now the quarter final winners will know exactly who they face in the semis.
Portobello CFA booked their place in the semis with a big win over East Region side Blairgowrie & Rattray, and they will face the winners of the tie between Scotland BC Central or Airdrieonians Real BC. In the other tie, the winners of the tie between Linwood Rangers and Erskine YFC will face either Dyce BC Whites or Gairdoch United Golds.
The semi finals are a unique stage of the competition as there are no real home or away teams. The venue for the semis is decided by a draw where each team selects one location each where the game can be played.
Portobello CFA vs Scotland BC Central or Airdrieonians Real BC
Linwood Rangers or Erskine YFC vs Dyce BC Whites or Gairdoch United Golds
All ties will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Monday, 17 February 2020 15:43
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 U13's | Ties Still To Be Decided for Semi Final Clash
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the U13's inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Monday evening.
There is only one confirmed tie in the round so far, with many quarter final matches across all age groups at the weekend falling victim to the weather. That tie sees Musselburgh Windsor take on EKYC.
The second tie sees the winners of the match between East End United BC and Gairdoch United take on East End Lewis Youth or Edinburgh South CFC.
The semi finals are also a unique stage of the competition, with there being no home or away teams. Each team chooses a ground where they would like to play the match, and then one of these locations is chosen at random.
East End United BC or Gairdoch United vs East End Lewis Youth or Edinburgh South CFC
EKYC vs Musselburgh Windsor
All games will be played on weekends in March. Good luck to all teams involved!
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Friday, 07 February 2020 09:54
Billy Stark Names U19 Squad for International Friendlies
Written by Calum McCaffery
Scotland U19s Head Coach Billy Stark has selected his squad for February's friendly double-header.
The national side will play two matches against the Czech Republic at Pinatar in Spain on the 18th and 20th.
The full squad is as follows:
Archie Mair - Norwich City
Ryan Mullen - Celtic
Jack Armer - Lancaster City
Harrison Ashby - West Ham United
Chris Hamilton - Cowdenbeath
James Maxwell - Rangers
Connor McAvoy - Fulham
Nathan Patterson - Rangers
Luke Robinson - Wigan Athletic
Jack Burroughs - Coventry City
Dean Campbell - Aberdeen
Ciaran Dickson - Rangers
Lewis Florini - Manchester City
Scott Robertson - Celtic
Ethan Ross - Dunfermline Athletic
Kyle Joseph - Wigan Athletic
Kai Kennedy - Rangers
Dapo Mebude - Rangers
Josh McPake - Rangers
Jack Stretton - Derby County
Friday, 31 January 2020 11:20
SCOTTISH FA YOUTH CUP | Semi Final Draw 2019/20
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the semi finals of the Scottish FA Youth Cup has been made at Hampden Park today.
The draw sees Hearts and Kilmarnock face off at Rugby Park for a place in the final at the national stadium. Hearts produced a stunning comeback victory over Greenock Morton in the quarters, whilst Kilmarnock enjoyed a comfortable win over Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic.
Meanwhile Aberdeen will have to wait to see who they face from either Rangers or Partick Thistle. The Dons needed extra time to overcome a strong St Johnstone side. Reigning champions Rangers and Partick will play later tonight to see who makes the trip north.
Kilmarnock vs Heart of Midlothian
Aberdeen vs Rangers or Partick Thistle
All semi final ties will be played on 21 February.
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Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:19
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 | 2019 Final Repeat in Quarter Final Draw
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the quarter finals of the inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.
The draw has brought up a repeat of last years final as Fairmuir BC host reigning champions Glenvale AFC. East Craigie Swifts are the other Dundee-based team left in the competition and they host Clydebank FC.
Airdrieonians FC BC host Neilston Juniors Youth as they bid to reach the final on their own turf. Giffnock SC and Valspar FC in the other tie of the round.
The full draw is as follows:
Airdrieonians FC BC vs Neilston Juniors Youth
Giffnock SC vs Valspar FC
Fairmuir BC vs Glenvale AFC
East Craigie Swifts vs Clydebank FC
All ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend beginning 15th February. Good luck to all teams involved.
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Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:00
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 | PJDYFL League Dominates Quarter Final Contenders
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the quarter finals of the inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.
Five teams from the Paisley and Johnstone league make up the numbers in the competition. Glenvale AFC and Hillwood face each other in the only all PJDYFL fixture of the draw. Former cup champions Barrhead YFC face a challenging trip to face Blantyre SA Black.
Edinburgh City Whites host Johnstone Burgh and Bellfield Royals make the journey to take on KSC Kilwinning Rangers.
The full draw is as follows:
Glenvale AFC vs Hillwood
Edinburgh City Whites vs Johnstone Burgh
KSC Kilwinning Rangers vs Bellfield Royals
Blantyre SA Black vs Barrhead YFC
All ties will be played on the weekend beginning 15th February. Good luck to all teams involved.
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Wednesday, 29 January 2020 10:50
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 | Under 16's Learn Their Quarter Final Opponents
Written by Calum McCaffery.jpg)
The draw for the quarter finals of the inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.
Cumbernauld Colts will host a strong Glenvale side whilst KSC Kilwinning Rangers Blues face a trip to take on Motherwell FC CT.
There is still one tie to be decided, with the winners of LK Galaxy and Musselburgh Windsor taking on the winners of the match between Coylton and Larkhall Thistle Blue. Hutchison Vale host Hampden BC in the other tie.
The full draw is as follows:
Cumbernauld Colts vs Glenvale AFC
LK Galaxy or Musselburgh Windsor vs Coylton or Larkhall Thistle Blue
Hutchison Vale vs Hampden BC
Motherwell FC CT vs KSC Kilwinning Rangers Blues
All ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend beginning 15th February. Good luck to all teams involved.
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Wednesday, 29 January 2020 09:59
SCOTTISH CUP 2019/20 | Former Champions Face Tough Trip West
Written by Calum McCaffery
The draw for the quarter finals of the inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup was made on Tuesday evening.
Former winners of the competition Hutchison Vale face a tough trip West to take on Giffnock North. They beat Cove BC on they fateful day two years ago and they find themselves in the quarter final stage too. They will host Banks O'Dee Albion.
East End Lewis Youth make a long journey south to take on East Region side Greig Park Rangers. Fairmuir BC will host Braehead FC in the final tie of the round.
The full draw is as follows:
Greig Park Rangers vs East End Lewis Youth
Fairmuir BC vs Braehead FC
Giffnock North vs Hutchison Vale
Cove BC vs Banks O'Dee Albion
All ties will be played on the weekend beginning 15th February. Good luck to all teams involved!
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