Video of the week

After the dancing efforts of Miss Carmichael & Mr 'Ginger' Rodgers, Miss Campbell & Mr Beattie and Miss Arthur & Mr Rowlands at Children in Need. It only seemed fitting to show what they should have done!

NICOLSON INSTITUTE U13 FOOTBALL NORTH of SCOTLAND CUP

 

Friday 16 November 2012, saw the Nicolson Institute U13 football squad travelling by ferry to the mainland to play Wick High School on Saturday 17 November.

 

Once on the mainland, the squad collected the Ullapool Primary School minibus and started the journey to Brora.  After an hour’s minibus journey en route, the squad stopped for food at Tesco’s Dingwall and then travelled to the accommodation at Brora Primary School/Community Centre.  After a good night’s sleep, the squad headed for Wick.

 

The game kicked off at 11am.  The game was very close with both teams playing good football.  The Nicolson boys took the lead through Shaun Riddell getting into the end of a corner, but just before half time, Wick equalised, making it 1-1 at half time.

 

In the 2^nd half, the game was still close but the Nicolson scored a second through Callum Macleod and with about 5 minutes remaining, the Nicolson scored a 3^rd through Paul Macphail.  The Nicolson will now have a home tie in the quarter finals.

 

Goal Scorers –            Shaun Riddell (1)

                                    Callum Macleod (1)

                                    Paul MacPhail (1)

 

Team – Euan Morrison, David MacPhee, Shaun Riddell, Steven Morrison,

  Lewis Brett (C), Euan Macdonald, Callum Macleod, Kyle Munro,

  Daniel Macleod, Alfie MacMillan, John Macleod,

  Subs – James Crichton, Paul MacPhail, Alexander Mackay and Lewis Macleod

 

After the game the squad were invited to attend the home fixture (Dudgeon Park) of Highland League Football Club Brora Rangers versus Huntly.

 

The boys were invited into the Board Room for a tour, before they went into the stand to watch both teams warming up. The boys were inspired to see local lad Martin Maclean starting for Brora, unfortunately they only saw 5 minutes of the games as they had to leave to catch the 6.15pm ferry.

 

Cllr Deirdre Mackay, Area Leader Caithness and Sutherland said

 

“Firstly it was really nice to meet you all on Saturday at Dudgeon Park.  We were only sorry that your visit was so short. We would love to have you back again so the youngsters can enjoy a full game and cheer on Martin!  They are a lovely bunch of boys and real ambassadors for their community.”

 

The squad would like to thank the following for their support – Tesco Stornoway, Tesco Dingwall, Ullapool High School, Brora Primary School/Community Centre – David Rose, and Brora Rangers Football Club.

NICOLSON INSTITUTE U13 SCOTTISH CUP ADVENTURE

 

On Thursday 8 November 2012, the Nicolson Institute U13 football squad travelled to Inverness High School in the Scottish School U13 Cup Competition.

After a good crossing and the drive from Ullapool to Inverness, the boys arrived at Inverness High School ready to do the Nicolson proud.

It was agreed between the Managers to have rolling subs.  The match kicked off at 12noon and it wasn’t long before the Nicolson started creating chances.  After an exciting 1^st half, the Nicolson were winning 4-0.  The 2^nd half was again dominated by the Nicolson but the boys had a couple of early scares before they took control again.  Inverness missed a penalty and the final score was 11-0 to Nicolson.

Team:  Ewan Morrison, David Macphee, Shaun Riddell, Steven Morrison, Lewis Brett (C), Ewan Macdonald, Callum Macleod, Kyle Munro, David Macleod, Alfie MacMillan, John Macleod.  Subs: Lewis Macleod & James Crichton.

Goals scored by Callum Macleod (5), Ewan Macdonald (2), Lewis Macleod (1), Alfie Macmillan (1), Kyle Munro (1), Daniel Macleod (1)

Thanks to the following for assisting with the trip Staran and Inverness High School for providing the boys with lunch after the game.

Nicolson win battle of Culloden

 

The Nicolson senior boys football team won through to the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup with a hard fought 3-2 win over Culloden Academy on Monday. Goals from Colin Maclean and Gordon Maclennan along with an own goal had the Islanders 3-1 up. However a late goal from the home team led to a nervous final few minutes, culminating in a miracle double save by Jack Maclennan to see the boys over the line.

On a dreich Monday morning the Nicolson boys lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. The team had never played together previously and, despite having a strong, skillful look to it we could only hope they would gel quickly.
From the first whistle it quickly became evident that it would be an open game as chances came and went at regular intervals. The first chance fell to Colin Maclean who shot tamely at the keeper after being set up by Gordon. Culloden hit back and some good play down the left ended with the ball being squared to the centre forward, who knocked the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Colin had another great chance after being sent through by the Nicolson captain Micheil R Smith; He reached the ball before the keeper and knocked it goalwards but a covering defender cleared the ball to safety. At this stage the Nicolson were the better team and a chance fell to Gordon who blasted a volley over the bar after a good chipped pass by Innes Iain Morrison. Jason Guilmartin was next to threaten as he cut inside his marker and was on the verge of shooting when his standing leg gave way and he slipped, his shot flew wide. Finn Rush-Taylor’s wicked left foot deliveries were also posing the Culloden defence problems and one of them had to be cleared off the line.
As is always the case when chances come and go, you begin to think it may be “one of these days” and this feeling intensified when a slack pass in midfield was seized upon by a Culloden midfielder who’s through ball was measured to perfection between Chris Dempster and Craig Macleod. The centre forward powered through before showing a touch of finesse by chipping over Jack as he came out. The goal seemed to galvanise Culloden and they quickly went for the jugular. Jason had to clear a header off the line following a corner and Jack could only watch as another shot thudded against the crossbar - the Nicolson needed half time.
Thankfully it came without further incident and with it a change of positions with Gordon and Innes Iain switching roles. The move didn’t pay off initially as Culloden continued to play the better football as they penned the Nicolson in their own half. The equaliser came against the run of play as Calum Vann strode forward from full back and curled an inviting ball round the back of the Culloden defence were Colin stooped to head past the onrushing keeper 1-1.
The Nicolson now had their tails up and 5 mins later Gordon broke free from midfield and showed great composure to curl the ball past the keeper a’ la Thierry Henry from the inside left position. At this point Micheil was starting to run the midfield and it was looking good for the boys. Andrew Macmillan was working hard down the right and had a good chance following another fine move, unfortunately his shot was blocked. Minutes later Micheil slipped the ball to Colin who’s cross was flicked goalwards by Innes Iain. The ball then hit the goalkeeper and rebounded back off a retreating defender and in to the goal - anguish for Culloden but delirium for the Leodhasachs.
Any thoughts of coasting to the end would soon be extinguished however when Culloden clawed one back from a back post header following a corner. The Nicolson tried to freshen things up, Kevin Flower replacing Jason and Cameron Macarthur replacing the battle-weary Craig. With 8 mins left a cross from the Culloden right was headed goalwards and only an excellent flying save from Jack kept it out. It was going be a long few minutes!
Calum Morrison replaced Finn at this stage but it was Jack who was to be centre stage with a miraculous double save in the final minute. A scramble in the box, a right foot shoot, a flying save, a deflection, time stood still, a shot, another flying save- incredible. Even Mr Macphee was stressed out as the final whistle blew. Well done boys. Next up is Meldrum Academy at home.

Football Update

Well done to the U15 and U16 boys football teams who both won their Scottish Cup ties today. U15s beat Elgin on penalties after drawing 2-2 and the U16s beat Culloden 4-3 in an intense game. Goal scorers will be updated later.
Further congratulations to the U13 boys who had a convincing away victory in the Scottish Cup yesterday at Inverness High School winning 11-0.
All 3 teams are rewarded with home ties in the next round.

Video of the week

Top 10 goals from 2011-12 Champions League

S1 SoR Vs S2 SoR

Last Saturday saw the S1 School of Rugby (SoR) play their first game of the season against the S2 SoR. It was a tightly contested affair with the S2 team running out eventual winners by 9 tries to 3.

S1 SoR vs S2 SoR

S1 SoR vs S2 SoR

Sports News Update

Unfortunately the S2 boys were beaten 5-0 away to Millburn Academy last week. The boys did well against a very good Millburn team who will go far in the competition.

Pupils are away to the North Schools Badminton Championships today (06.11.12).

The Interschools Cross Country is taking place in the Castle Grounds today (06.11.12)

S1 boys football have an away tie on Thursday (08.11.12)

S3 boys and S4 boys have home ties versus Elgin and Culloden respectively on Friday (09.11.12)

We wish all the pupils taking part the best of luck!

Video of the week