26th February 2022 Bucksburn S1 vs Grammar S1 Match Report

Report on Bucksburn Academy First Year v Aberdeen Grammar School First Year, CNR International League - Saturday 26th February 2022, by Walter Craig

Plucky Grammar Come Close To Halting Bucksburn’s Winning Run.

Bucksburn Academy First Year

Toby Catto, Jack Fordyce, Logan Taylor, Tyler Cosgrove, Noah Sahar, Miller Giles, Clark Whyte, Dahen Vixamar, Fraser Bruce, Alex McMurray and Ethan Reid. Subs: Sebastian Castillo, Milan George, Samuel Akindileni, Lewis Mair and Ashley Munjoma.

Aberdeen Grammar School First Year

Callum Vargesson, Kai Ryrie, Liam Harkins, Kit Jessiman, Cameron Findlay, Toby Nesbitt, Connor Masson, Matthew Taylor, Evan Glover, Joe Inglis and Leo Wishart. Subs: Anas Saltan, Harry Notman, Michael Boyd, Adam Mekki and Yahya Ibrahim.

Referee A. Cunningham

Grammar began their First Year League games with a daunting trip to league leaders Bucksburn. It was a journey into the unknown for both teams as Grammar had already seen three fixtures postponed because of the weather. The elements continued to play their part as Bucksburn kicked off under an overcast sky, low temperatures and a troublesome wind.

It was the away side who were first on the attack with Leo Wishart blocking a clearance from Toby Catto and Kai Ryrie sending a fierce drive narrowly over in the opening couple of minutes.

The homesters did manage to retaliate through a fine run and cross from Clark Whyte on the right but the defence was equal to it.

The Grammar team was causing Bucksburn all kinds of problems down the right through Toby Nesbitt’s strength, speed and dangerous crosses. Midway through the half he was injured after an accidental collision and when he came off the field the visitors found progress a little more difficult.

Bucksburn were then seen more in attack with both Whyte and Jack Fordyce requiring Callum Vargesson to make fine stops. They gained their reward three minutes from the interval. A wind affected clearance from Callum Vargesson found its way to Whyte wide on the right and twenty five yards from the goal line. He spotted the keeper was off his line and sent a looping drive over his head and into the net.

A second home counter arrived just before the whistle for the interval. Good foraging on the left by Ashley Munjoma ended with his goalbound attempt being blocked by the defence. The rebound fell kindly for him, and he calmly steadied himself before sending a left footed drive beyond Catto and into the far corner of the net.

Half Time: Bucksburn Academy First Year 2 - 0 Aberdeen Grammar First Year

Grammar needed to score quickly if they were to retain a footing in the match but it was the home team who netted to extend their advantage ninety seconds into the half. A tempting cross from the right was neatly headed past the half time substitute keeper, Anas Sultan, by Alex McMurray lurking unmarked at the back post.

Grammar were not prepared to let the game go and came close with a long range effort from Ryrie on the right which whistled just wide of Catto’s far post.

It was no coincidence that Grammar were in the ascendancy on Nesbitt’s return to the field and they deservedly pulled a goal back seven minutes into the half. They were awarded a free kick forty yards out in midfield. Liam Harkin took it and his curling shot soared over Toby Catto’s head and into the net. T

here was plenty time left for Grammar to score again and midway through the half, Nesbitt picked the ball up inside his own half ran towards the goal but a heavy touch allowed Catto to clear.

Nesbitt and Wishart each had chances to reduce the deficit as the final whistle approached but could not hit the target.

The game ended with Bucksburn, who retained their 100% record in the league, just about deserving the win but Grammar ran them closer than might have been expected.

Once more the spectators were treated to a superb game of school football with plenty of skill and endeavour on show despite the windy conditions.

Final Score: Bucksburn Academy First Year 3 - 1 Aberdeen Grammar First Year