Kemnay FC v Byron Spurs

Kemnay Under 13's Take First Steps on the Road to Hampden

Kemnay Under 13's welcomed Byron Spurs to Bogbeth Park for this Scottish Youth FA Cup First Round clash. This match had been rescheduled following a postponement the previous week due to rain.

The build up to the game wasn't exactly ideal with someone forgetting to phone the referee and then having to race about before kick off to find a change strip and affix tape to socks due to a colour clash. Fortunately referee Morag Pirie showed some understanding and with new tops and tape on the socks the hosts got the game under way.

Kemnay had set up in a more tradidional 4-4-2 formation with Mason, Callan, Cameron and Lewis lining up in front of Archie in goal. Matthew, Keiron, Callum Fryers and Liam were the midfield four supporting Jordan and Callum Campbell up front. And they got off to the best possible start in just 2 minutes. A corner from the left was not cleared and when it broke in the box, Callum Fryers was quickest to react to fire home from close range to open the scoring.

Soon after it was 2-0. Liam showed some really good skill to get himself clear on the left and when he crossed the ball into the box Jordan was on hand to poke the ball home. Kemnay had started quite quickly and weren't giving Byron any real opportunity to get a foothold in the game. Any possession was quickly surrendered with the back four and midfield quick to get a tackle in to steal possession back. Kemnay added a third goal when Callum Campbell showed some lovely footwork on the right before squaring for Jordan, who made no mistake from 10 yards with a sweet strike.

Kemnay continued to pin their opponents back and forced a corner on the left. Callum Fryers swung the ball in and when it was cleared it broke for Liam. He played the ball back into the box. Keiron won a header and when the ball broke into space Mason was lurking at the back post to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-0. Liam made it five shortly after when he collected a kick out from the keeper before chipping the ball right back over him from about 20 yards.

Byron did play some nice passing football on occasions and with the midfield slow to track back they did get a sight of goal a couple of times. However Archie dealt expertly with the back passes and in truth Callan and Cameron were quick enough to clear any danger.

Kemnay added a sixth after Callum Campbell collected a throw from Matthew before playing in Jordan in the inside right channel. He drew the keeper before shooting low into the right corner of the net to complete a well-deserved hat-trick! Kemnay finished the firsthalf the way they started and after build up play involving Callan, Keiron and Liam the ball broke to the edge of the box about 18 yards out. Matthew Law hit a sweet volley past the Byron keeper to score his first and Kemnay's 7th.

Before the 2nd half, Kemnay replaced Keiron and Matthew Law with Matthew Robertson and Glen and again set out on the front foot and it was no surprise when they added to their tally. After nice interplay at the back, Mason played a defence-splitting pass into the path of Liam and he strode forward before shooting low past the keeper to score Kemnay's 8th.

Five minutes in Callum Scott replaced his namesake of the Campbell clan, Ross replaced Callum Fryers and Daniel gave Jordan a well-earned rest up front. Despite the changes, Kemnay continued to play some nice football for the most part. Daniel and Matthew Robertson did some strong running to cause Byron some defensive difficulties and Liam continued to get forward on the left supported by Lewis Beaton. Callum was also showing a nice touch up front and bringing in his midfield at every opportunity.

Glen got his name on the score sheet converting a nice cross from Liam at the back post and he was unfortunate not to get a second when he was denied by the offside flag. Byron got a goal that their endeavours deserved before Callum too came close when he flashed a header just wide after a short corner routine on the left involving Daniel and Ross. 

Kemnay completed the scoring late in the game. A corner from the right was cleared to the edge of the box and Ross did well to keep his shot down and it took a slight deflection on the way past the goalkeeper.

All in all a good win by the boys today and into the Second Round of the Scottish Cup and a home tie against Culter or Peterhead BC Phoenix. At times in the game we played some really nice football,particularly when we were allowed time to build from the back. If there's a lesson from the day it's probably to let your teammates know when they have time on the ball. Quite often we were too quick to clear the ball into no mans land rather than to show a little composure in finding a team mate. Similarly, there is still a tendency at times to hang onto the ball a litle too long. I realise I'm probably contradicting myself but it's all about showing a little more positional and game awareness, something that will come in time and with more games.

Kemnay FC - Archie Simons, Callan Boyle, Mason Reid, Cameron Cheyne, Lewis Beaton, Matthew Law (Glen Munro), Keiron MacLeod (Matthew Robertson), Callum Fryers (Ross Davidson), Liam Morrison, Jordan Sangster (Daniel Duguid), Callum Campbell (Callum Scott)

Scorers - Jordan (3), Liam (2), Mason, Callum Fryers, Matthew Law, Glen, Ross

Referee - M Pirie