Armadale Academy pair star for Scottish Schoolboys against Australia

Feb 11 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

SCOTLAND’S Schoolboys Select last week sent their Australian counterparts back across the globe empty-handed after edging a five-goal thriller in Glasgow.

And the success of the Scottish schoolboys fine victory was built upon the foundation stones of two West Lothian pupils.

Armadale Academy pair Andrew Murphy and Fraser Keast provided the last line of defence and the goal threat at the other end during the match to earn an excellent 3-2 win for their national side ahead of their upcoming Centenary Shield fixture against Northern Ireland.

Murphy proved to be in top form between the sticks while Keast bagged a glorious goal on the half-hour mark, glancing a header into the corner from 16 yards.

It was the third invitation international between the two countries and took place at Toryglen Indoor Football Centre, Glasgow on Monday, February 1.

The Scots fell behind after just 11 minutes but they quickly rallied and levelled after 15 minutes when an Australian defender steered an Alan Cook cross into his own net.

Keast then nodded Scotland ahead courtesy of a Daly McSorley cross.

Scots skipper Michael Hunter chipped in with his side’s third goal in the second-half before the visitors pulled one back with an expertly executed free-kick.

Next up for Scotland is their Centenary Shield fixture against Northern Ireland at Forfar Athletic’s Station Park on Friday, March 5, and both Armadale Academy pupils will be hoping they did enough to secure places in the squad.