Winners are crowned as schools go for glory

THE under-13 League race in the East and Midlothian Schools' Football Association was the tightest for many years with four teams in contention right up until the last two fixtures.

The league ended with a tie between Dalkeith High School and Lasswade High School who played-off at Newbattle to determine the destination of the title.

Lasswade took the lead after nine minutes with a fierce free-kick from 20 yards. The Bonnyrigg side looked likely to add to their lead but Dalkeith showed great skill and determination to go into half-time 2-1 ahead and then added a further two goals in the second period, to make it doubles for both Ryan Weston and Mark Scott and end up well-deserved winners.

In the Charlie Wood Competition, Lasswade again had to settle for the runners-up position losing out to Newbattle HS who picked up the silverware for the second year in a row thanks to an excellent late goal from Euan Russell, the only counter in a first-class game. The Under-14 League was retained by Musselburgh Grammar, who also reached the semi-final stage of the Scottish Schools' FA Cup, losing narrowly to winners Portlethen.

The Musselburgh boys went through the season undefeated in the league but were run close by last season's Scottish finalists, North Berwick, who finished three points back.

As in the younger age group, the Cup competition saw a Newbattle success. The Newbattle side had shut out Musselburgh and defeated North Berwick 1-0 thanks to a late headed goal from Josh Elliot.

Honours list

Under-13 League winners: Dalkeith High.

Cup winners: Newbattle High.

Under-14 League winners: Musselburgh Grammar.

Cup winners: Newbattle High.

Under-15 Cup winners: St David's.