Boroughmuir High School win Scottish Schools title

Now, six of the same team have made history by becoming the first squad – boys or girls – from Boroughmuir High School to win a Scottish Schools title.

In the final at Inverness of the Lloyds TSB Under-18 Shield, the Edinburgh girls faced Nicholson Institute from Stornoway.

The final ended 0-0 with Boroughmuir getting their hands on the trophy after a  dramatic 4-2 win on penalties.

In the nail-biting shoot-out, Nicholson won the toss and went first and scored. Ella Devlin scored for Boroughmuir. It was 2-2 after another great strike by Cailin Michie.

Then came the breakthrough when goalkeeper Hannach Michie – Cailin’s sister – magnificently saved Nicholson’s third penalty. Captain Laura Kirkhouse then put  Boroughmuir ahead.

The pressure mounted and Nicholson’s fourth was sent wide and high. Katy Nelson stepped up and ended the contest when she stroked her attempt into the bottom right hand side of the net.

Katy’s dad, Derek Nelson, is the head coach of the squad – he is assisted by Laura Thompson and David Cairns – and he was delighted with the result.

“They are the first Boroughmuir High School football team to achieve this feat and it was thoroughly deserved following a series of great  performances throughout the competition,” he said. “The girls train regularly at school  and they also all play club football with either Boroughmuir Thistle or Hutcheson Vale.”

For Cailin, it was the perfect end to a great season. The  third year pupil has helped Scotland win the Under-15 Bob Doherty Tournament in Belfast and defeat England twice at age-group level.

Katy Nelson, Sofia Cogliano, Lily Braunholtz, Sarah Findlay, Holly Vyse and Maddy Schaffer were the six Bruntsfield  Primary pupils.

“All those years ago, they formed a great friendship and team work and it has continued through secondary school,” Nelson continued.

“We will lose five of the squad but we’re already looking forward to defending the title next year.”