After away victories over Perthshire and Western Wildcats in previous rounds, Gordonians U16 Boys faced Grange U16s in the cup final at Meggatland, Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd April 2016.

It was the club’s first appearance in a Scottish U16 Final and was very well supported by the boys' families and club members.

With great vocal support right from the start, Gordonians quickly took charge of midfield and penetrated the Grange circle several times before winning and scoring from our first short corner. James Morrison pushed out to his team captain Chris Moon who slammed home a great strike to give Gordonians a 1-0 lead. Grange responded by applying pressure to the Gordonians defence who momentarily lost their composure and a penalty flick was awarded. A truly superb save high to his right by Jack Rathbone denied Grange an otherwise certain equalizer.

Gordonians took inspiration from Jack’s save to build some more attacks through their strong trio of Matthew Davidson, James Morrison and Chris Moon, and an excellent ball into the Grange circle by Brodie Nicol, gave striker Peter Serle the chance to deflect his shot at the perfect angle to beat the keeper at his back post for 2-0. Even better was to follow when Peter controlled a ball at the top of the circle and hammered a fierce shot past the Grange keeper to put Gordonians 3-0 up. Just before half-time, Grange managed to reduce the margin to 3-1 from a short corner.

The second half was much more even but resolute defending especially by Cameron Stephen, Sam Hill, Blair Campbell, and Brodie Nicol,, was backed up by a Man of the Match display from Jack Rathbone who made a string of great saves to maintain our two goal advantage.

A fourth goal was enthusiastically celebrated both on and off the pitch when Cameron Stephen’s drag flick rebounded from the keeper’s pads to Peter Serle whose shot was then expertly tippied over the line by young Shaun Clow. Grange did score a late goal which was some consolation to them but Gordonians were convincing winners and the trophy was soon on its way north to Aberdeen.

See all our goals and read the Evening Express article HERE

AAM Gordonians U16s 4 (Peter Serle 2, Chris Moon, Shaun Clow)
Grange U16s 2

Coaches : Innes Taylor and Mark Ramage
Manager : Alan Innes
Doctor: Peter Watson

Squad:
Jack Rathbone (GK), Brodie Nicol, Sam Hill, Cameron Stephen, Blair Campbell, Matthew Davidson, James Morrison, Chris Moon (Captain), Jack Beck, Callum Adams, George Jones, Aleksander Wojciechowski, Peter Serle and Shaun Clow.

Footnote: The club won the Scottish U18 Plate in 2013 but that was not a premier competition as it was for teams eliminated in the first round.