DARREN Pegg, one of the coaches of the Broxburn Athletic Colts squad that beat Bathgate Rose 3-1 in a terrific league decider in the West Lothian Association of Youth Football Clubs at Stewartfield in Broxburn, had a double reason to celebrate as Wednesday, June 3 was also his 20th birthday! This exceptional young man is a wonderful role model to any youth club footballer and, even though it was the first league title won by the Broxburn under-14s (and his birthday), the celebrations were muted after the presentation of the League Shield and individual awards. Respect for their opponents kept things at an acceptable level and that, indeed, was the tone throughout the night at Stewartfield. It was a sunny dry night, with just a touch of coldness in the wind that was blowing across this huge venue that will be part of the new facilities for ‘Broxburn United’ community project that also includes the nearby bowling club. Work is also currently underway at Albyn Park where a top-rate synthetic pitch is going to be laid down, along with new floodlights and civilised facilities for spectators. It is an exciting time at the Broxburn Athletic club and the league decider was a cracker of a game played in front of what was a massive turnout of fans. Not only was it a double celebration for Darren Pegg, but his dad and grandad were also among the fans on the touchlines to see the Colts win their first league title. WLAYFC secretary, Iain Shaw, summed up everything in a gracious speech prior to presenting the League Shield and individual awards. He said: “After playing 20 league games each, Broxburn and Bathgate were locked together on the same points. That resulted in this league decider and Broxburn scored their goals at the correct time. They started off well, went 1-0 in front then deservedly went 2-0 up. Bathgate came back in to the game to score and make it 2-1. They looked to be back in the game, but Broxburn went upfield and scored a third goal to clinch the title. But there were no losers as I consider Bathgate to be runners-up. They also get an individual award for all their efforts and I must praise both sides for their overall behaviour throughout the season!” Graham Shaw was the referee at this game on the top pitch at Stewartfield and he handled it brilliantly, although he was helped by the good behaviour of the players and officials from both clubs. It was a very good night, indeed, for the image of youth club football. Also, Broxburn had a real star in the talented No 9, Ewan Smith, a pupil at Balerno High School and this very good young footballer was an example of all that is good in the game at this level. Helping his side to win the league title ended a good week for Ewan, as he also plays rugby and he was part of the successful Currie side that won a title earlier in the week. When I spoke to Ewan, he made the night even more special for me with his polite, pleasant and articulate replies. Another exceptional young person! Bathgate started the game well and they looked impressive in attack, but it was the home side that made an early breakthrough with a goal in the third minute. Ewan Smith won the ball on the left angle of the 18yd box and he sent the most glorious swerving shot over Bathgate keeper, Gary Thomas, into the far corner of the net. It was a real stunner of a goal and the visiting side were forced to defend (brilliantly) as the Colts swarmed forward in attack after making the breakthrough. Gary Thomas had to receive prolonged treatment for a head knock after making a very brave save at the feet of Liam MacConnachie. Gary, thankfully, recovered and he went on to have a good game. Rose failed to take advantage of several free-kicks awarded to them in good positions and they also failed to trouble home keeper, Paul Muir, from corners, but they also had a very good player in skipper, Ian Kirkwood. The home goalkeeper also showed great bravery when he went down to win the ball in a challenge with Rose No 8, James McGrane, a pupil at St Kentigern’s in Livingston. Rose looked to have scored an equliser when Paul Muir failed to hold a shot and in a goalmouth scramble that followed, the ball landed in the back of the Broxburn net. However, Graham Shaw had spotted an infringement and he disallowed the goal and gave a free-kick to Broxburn, but they were lucky to get away with that. It was still 1-0 for the home side at the break and the second half saw Bathgate hammer away at the Broxburn defence, but their luck was out on this occasion. It was the turn of the big home rearguard to defend in depth and it was left to Ewan Smith to pick up any clearances from the beleaguered Broxburn defence to run at the Bathgate defence. It was frantic at times in the home goalmouth, with the ball hammered away time after time . . . only to be sent back by the eager Bathgate Rose players. Calum Boyle had a great run out of the Broxburn defence, but once again, he ran in to a wall of defenders. Against the run of play, Broxburn scored a second goal during the best spell of the game for Bathgate Rose. A quite incredible throw in from ‘boy-mountain’ Broxburn No 6, Jordan Crooks, on the right was not dealt with by the Rose defence and the ball bounced right for Jordan Lee to lob it over Gary Thomas from the back post in to the back of the net to put Broxburn 2-0 up. It was a real opportunist goal, but Bathgate went up to the other end following the restart and a fiercely driven ball from the left hit Broxburn’s Dean Donaldson and landed in the net to bring the score back to 2-1. Again, Bathgate Rose went all out to get another goal, only to suffer once again when Ewan Smith, who else, showed great character to win a loose ball, feed it in to the path of Jordan Crooks and his shot looked to be heading for the back of the Bathgate Rose net but Rhys McDougall - another cracker of a player in the Broxburn ranks - made sure by booting it over the line to make it 3-1. That was still the score at the finish of this excellent game that was in every way a credit to both clubs, their officials, fantastic supporters, the West Lothian Youth Assocation and also the Scottish Youth FA. This game was an example of what we all want to see in youth club football - for all the very best reasons of total enjoyment. And Bathgate Rose must be the best kitted out team I have seen in youth club football. They were immaculate in their lovely strips.
There is another league decider on Thursday, June 4, when Broxburn Athletic take on Armadale SC, kick off 6.45pm. Another huge crowd will be out to cheer these kids on!
Broxburn Athletic Colts - Paul Muir, Greg Powrie, Jordan Lee, Liam Tierney, Callum Boyle, Jordan Crooks, Jordan Fielding, Dean Donaldson, Ewan Smith, Liam MacConnachie, Ryys McDougall, Graeme Thomson, Andrew Davidson, Jamie Edwards.
Bathgate Rose - Gary Thomas, Declan Lamb, James Duffy, Jack McGurk, Ian Kirkwood, Scott Smith, James McGrane, Richard Wallace, Kieran Cook, Zack Williams, Daniel Clancy, Kieran McGonagle.
Referee - Graham Shaw.
Report supplied by Ian MacKay www.passionforsport.tk