MUSSELBURGH Grammar School's under-15s are competing in the Lothian Schools' FA League this season at under-16 level and they have found the challenge a difficult one, but they recorded their first win when beating James Gillespie's 5-3.
Musselburgh's opening game of the season against Holyrood led to an 8-0 thrashing, however they recovered to earn their first point against Armadale Academy in a 2-2 draw. And the Grammar School team continued that improvement at Double Hedges.
The light rain and ferocious wind made it difficult for both sides, but they showed a willingness to play football. The bitter cold morning failed to freeze the Grammar attack and red-hot striker Jack Kennedy opened the scoring with two goals inside the first eight minutes. The first was a result of slick passing by Musselburgh which saw winger Robbie McLeod sent free down the left. His square pass inside was met perfectly by Kennedy who coolly finished after just five minutes.
Kennedy's second goal was a delight as the home keeper cleared poorly from a back pass and, with one touch, the striker controlled the ball and lobbed the isolated keeper from all of 30 yards out.
Not to be outdone, Kennedy's partner up front, Stuart Lumsden, burst free to rifle home Musselburgh's third goal of the game.
Pint-sized Robbie McLeod then took centre stage as he rounded off the first half with two goals of his own. The first came when he fired what seemed a harmless effort at the opposition goal, but the beleaguered Gillespie's keeper fumbled the ball and it somehow escaped his grasp and trickled over the line.
McLeod's second came with minutes of the first half remaining as he broke free to score from close range.
Half-time brought a welcome break to the home side, who would have been forgiven for wanting to pack up and go home.
However, far from giving up, James Gillespie's started with an attack and a stunned Grammar were rocked when they conceded two goals in less than two minutes and added a third in what was a dramatic fightback.
But centre-half Chris Jamieson stemmed the tide and helped Musselburgh recover their composure.
Under constant pressure from the Gillespie's striker, Jamieson time and time again foiled the Edinburgh side's attack and helped ensure the visiting side held on to their two-goal lead.
It was a defensive display that snubbed out any hope Gillespie's may have had of catching the Musselburgh side.
It was a great defensive display in the second half that ensured all three points for the Grammar School.
