Harlaw Academy end KGS’s Scottish Schools’ Cup campaign

Kirkwall Grammar School’s Under-15 Scottish Schools’ Cup campaign ended this afternoon with Aberdeen school side Harlaw Academy securing a comprehensive but hard-fought 5-1 victory. Playing at this stage for the first time, the Kirkwall side came into the match as underdogs but they can be proud of their efforts against a very accomplished Harlaw outfit.

In what was an entertaining match throughout on a very wet 3G surface, both sides had chances in the opening ten minutes but it was Kirkwall’s Innes Sutherland who came closest when he struck the woodwork with a first-time effort.

However, it was the visiting side that opened the scoring shortly afterwards when a slow effort wrong-footed ‘keeper Glen Brough and trickled into the net. Kirkwall didn’t let their heads go down however and hit back before half-time courtesy of a penalty from captain Connor Hancock after Ryan Harcus had been hacked down by the visiting goalkeeper.

The entertainment continued in the second-half and, despite Kirkwall being the better side at the start of the half, Harlaw took the lead through a scrappy scramble inside the box. Five minutes later, the away side made it three. Kirkwall again failed to clear their lines with Glen Brough pulling off three saves in quick succession but the Aberdeen side were not to be denied as they forced the ball into the net at the fourth time of asking.

The Kirkwall boys didn’t let their heads go down however and fought valiantly to force a way back into the match. The youngsters played some fantastic one-touch football at times but it wasn’t to be their day as a Harlaw breakaway goal made it four and a simple tap-in made the final score 5-1.