Dingwall Academy’s S2 boys’ football team blow away Duncanrig in Scottish Plate final to secure historic trophy double
Dingwall Academy’s S2 boys’ football team have completed a historic double after adding Scottish Plate silverware to their North of Scotland success.
The youngsters had already seen off their Charleston Academy counterparts in the North final 6-2 to get their hands on a first trophy of the season.
However, just days earlier they had booked their place in the Scottish Plate final by seeing off Perth High School, meaning they knew they had a chance to secure a double trophy triumph before the year was out.
Glasgow school Duncanrig was standing in their way at Banks O’Dee’s Spain Park, and blustery conditions made the game more of a battle than a technical masterclass early on.
Shooting into the wind did not help Dingwall’s cause either, but they still took the lead when Daniel Wilson latched on to a through ball from Dylan McDonald, staying composed to take a touch and fire in.
Duncanrig would equalise before half time, but with the wind at their backs after the restart there was no stopping the Highlanders.
Wilson turned provider for McDonald to restore Dingwall’s lead, before Ben McNair reacted quickest to tap in a rebound after another effort from McDonald was saved, opening up a two-goal lead inside 15 second half minutes.
Ryan Mackenzie would make it 4-1, expertly hitting a volley into the bottom corner through a crowd of bodies to put the result all but beyond doubt.
Lucas Macleod would make it absolutely certain, first winning and then striking a free kick from distance into the back of the net with a little help from the post to seal a second trophy for the S2s.
PE teacher and team coach Ruari Paton commented: “I’m really proud of the boys on such an amazing achievement.
“The Scottish Schools’ Football Association make it feel really professional to give the boys an incredible memory they’ll have forever, but they weren’t intimidated by the experience at all.
“In previous games in the Plate we’ve taken 10 minutes or so to get used to the opposition, but we were on it from the first minute on Thursday and the midfield in particular really imposed themselves and dominated the game.
“It was great to see us have five different goalscorers, which is not uncommon for us, and I have to give a special mention to young goalkeeper Adam Sutherland from the year below who stepped in. With our usual keeper away, he did brilliantly getting thrown into such a big game.
“Several players put on their best performance yet in a Dingwall shirt which was great to see. They really stepped up on the big occasion.”
