West Lothian Schools FA eyeing first ever final

Mar 11 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE WEST Lothian Schools Under-18 football team were looking to make history last night (Wednesday) by reaching the Scottish Cup final for the first time ever.

The schoolboy soccer stars were scheduled to play against Fife Under-18s at Almondvale last night for a place in the showpiece final.

Players from schools across the county make up the side, including Armadale, Broxburn, Linlithgow, Bathgate, and Whitburn academies and Deans, West Calder and James Young High Schools.

Whatever happens, West Lothian are already recordbreakers in becoming the first from the county to reach the semi-final stage at under-18 level.

After coming through a tough group West Lothian booked their final-four place in dramatic fashion with a penalty shootout victory over rivals East Lothian.

The big derby win was made all the sweeter by the East Lothian side being made up of pupils from across Mid and East Lothian, as well as the city of Edinburgh.

David MacKenzie, headteacher of Linlithgow Academy and one of the coaches, said: “The boys have been absolutely incredible and we’re all very proud of them.

“We are one of the smallest associations to compete in the tournament and beating the Lothians team was an achievement in itself.

“We face a tough test in the semis but we are playing with a lot of confidence which is always a good thing.”

Andrew Miller, executive councillor for education, congratulated the team, saying: “This is a landmark achievement for our schools. We have a proud record of sporting accolades in West Lothian and this is up there with the best of them.

“We are a relatively small association in comparison to others, so it makes the team’s efforts all the more impressive.

“I’d like to encourage football fans in West Lothian to turn out in force to back our boys in the semi final. They have done everyone proud in reaching the finals and I’m sure they would appreciate everyone’s support.

“I’d also like to thank Livingston FC for allowing the game to be played at their stadium.”