SENIOR GIRLS NORTH OF SCOTLAND SCHOOLS CUP FINAL

NICOLSON INSTITUTE 2  MINTLAW ACADEMY 0

The teams met on 6^th of June in a repeat of last year’s final which the Nicolson won 4-2. It was clear that once again the two teams were evenly matched and that no quarter would be asked or given. Alicia Macsween was the first to find this out when she was bundled to the ground in the second minute for a free kick. This seemed to spur on Macsween who caused the Mintlaw defence major problems with her devastating pace in the first half. She came close with shots in  the 5^th  and 11^th minutes before hitting the  post after 20 mins.

It was by no means one way traffic as Mintlaw blasted the ball over the bar from a corner which had the  Nicolson defence scrambling. The girls had another scare after a wicked bounce sent the ball over Sarah Gillies in goal. This provided the most nerve wracking and entertaining moment of the game as the goalie raced back and performed a kind of keepie uppie with her fist before clutching the ball on the goal line to perform an incredible reflexive save.

As the half progressed the Nicolson midfield began to dominate with Heather Black’s fierce tackling dovetailing well with Christie Houston’s heading and passing. Houston was starting to effectively pass the ball wide to Macsween and Rhoda Maclennan who in turn were giving the Mintlaw full backs a torrid time. The breakthrough came in 31 minutes when Jodie Sinclair who had been drafted in after a late call off ran on to  an inch perfect through ball from Hannah Macleod and slotted the ball past the despairing Mintlaw keeper. Jodie’s instructions were to play off the last defender. She fulfilled this role magnificently and was a constant  threat for the stretched Mintlaw defence. Just before half time Louise Stewart sent 35 yard free kick fizzing past the post.

HALF TIME   NICOLSON INSTITUTE 1   MINTLAW 0

Mintlaw started the second half strongly but the Nicolson defence was well marshalled by captain Louise Stewart who made sure no one was going past the last defender. Kathleen Mackay ensured the main Mintlaw striker was given little space in the centre and fullbacks Annabel Maclennan and Mairi Graham were strong in the tackle and played the ball effectively down the flanks or into midfield when space and time allowed. Graham was put under pressure but cleared her lines after a ruckus on the edge of the Nicolson penalty area. Soon after Mintlaw had another good chance but once again blasted the ball high. After this the Nicolson girls took control and the opposition were denied further chances. Macleod came close when she hit the inside of the post but it was Sinclair who rounded off an excellent performance with a stunning volley to give the  Nicolson a degree of comfort in the closing stages. Ella Macaulay came on in the second half and helped maintain the high tempo the girls had set.  Sammy Mitchell and Eilidh Macinnes also came on towards the end to make their contribution and round off a disciplined and polished performance from the senior team. Sarah Gillies, Louise Stewart and Rhoda Maclennan were making their final appearances for the school and did so in style. They know what it is like to be beaten by a top Mintlaw team and have clearly enjoyed beating their old rivals these past two years.

The game was played in a sporting fashion by both teams. The Nicolson have now won this trophy an incredible 8 times out of 13 attempts. Well done to all the girls and thanks to the parents who came to support the team.

NICOLSON TEAM- S. Gillies, M. Graham, L. Stewart (Capt.), K. Mackay, A. Maclennan, R. Maclennan, C. Houston, A. Macsween, H. Macleod, J. Sinclair   Subs- E. MacAulay, S. Mitchell, E. Macinnes, H Black