Fixed Odds - 29 January

This weeks fixed odds perm:- 111112 - produced 17 winners who share the £100 jackpot.
Names will be listed on website tomorrow.

16s crash at Pilrig

The 16s suffered the first home defeat of the season, only their 2nd loss to date, as they huffed and puffed through 90 minutes, at Pilrig. It was noted at half time, with the score standing at 2-2, after being 2-0 up, that this was a game that wasn't going to go to league form. The second half proved that to be the case as visitors Haddington scored an additional three times to leave Albion pointless after a deserved 2-5 win. The loss and the deduction of 3 points due to the withdrawal from the League by Joppa United, bring's Albion back towards the chasing pack as Albion now only have a 2 point lead

Seniors and 19s both record wins

The Seniors progressed to the next round of the McDonald Cup with a hard fought win over Meadow Star at Pilrig Park. A Lenehan Hat-Trick and a strike from Anderson gave Albion the edge winning 4-3. The U19s actually recorded their first 3 points of the season with a fine 2-4 away win over Edinburgh United at Meggetland 3G. Three nil up at half time, Albion should have had this game over and done with in the first 45 minutes, but that old enenemy, complacency, crept in during the second period. A Herrera hat-trick, and a contribution by Glasgow, were enough to ensure the points went back to Leith

U19 - 3G surface footwear reminder

Footwear specifications for using 3G surfaces recommend traditional moulded stud boots. "Screw ins" can be worn, but studs must be of the plastic variety. No metal studs are permitted. Bladed boots are not recommended.

Ams - its 2pm as usual

Contrary to some speculation, the Ams cup tie at Pilrig tomorrow kicks-off at 2pm. With extra time and penalties, in the event of both teams being level after 90 minutes, 1.30 KO times were the norm due to failing light, but the association has confirmed a 2pm start.

Fergie Injury Update

Further medical examinations on the disclocated knee suffered, by senior player Paul Ferguson on saturday,aren't looking good. Trauma and severe ligament damage, and additional complications, point to a minimum 3 month recovery period. Fergie's season is effectively now over. I'm sure everyone associated with the club will wish him a speedy and problem free recovery.

Weekend fixtures for 29/30 Jan

Fixtures are now confirmed for next weekend.
saturday 29 January - Ams home to Meadow star (McDonald Cup Rd1)
saturday 29 January - 19s away to Edinburgh Utd (League) - Meggetland 3G
sunday 30 January - 16s home to Haddington Ath (League)

Albion U16s win vital top table clash.

Albion cemented their league title credentials with a hard fought win over second place Beeslack at Pilrig. Goals in each half by Kennedy, giving Albion a 1-0 half time lead, and Pratt scoring late in the game, gave the sizeable crowd much to cheer about.

Ams Game abandoned after 8 minutes!!!

The Ams game away to Tartan AFC was abandoned after eight minutes when Albion midfield player Paul Ferguson was a victim of the underfoot conditions at Roseburn. “Fergie” dislocated his knee and required extensive medical assistance. Between the time it took for Albion Physio and Albion Team Manager Geoff Cowan to assess the seriousness of the situation, and the time it took for medical assistance to arrive on site, the match official had no option but to abandon the game. Questions are now being asked on 2 key issues!:-
1) Was the park playable, and was the surface safe. Both teams had reservations about safety.
2) Did the referee accept his £38 match fee? Yes, believe it or not he took his match fee?

Was the referees acceptance of his match fee really in the spirit of the game?. Only you, the Blog reader can judge?. But, it really sums up the current ethics behind the philosophy of the game in general. Sport, what sport?

Ref gives okay

The Seniors fixture away to Tartan given thumbs up after refs inspection

19s frozen out. Ams on standby

The 19s fixture away to Spartans FC has been postponed. Ground staff at Civil Service deem park unplayable due hard frost. The Senior fixture at Roseburn is still subject to 1pm referees inspection.

Weekend pitch inspections

Email from the local authority this morning informs us that all Edinburgh Leisure parks will be referees inspections at the weekend. This decision will affect the seniors fixture away to Tartan at Roseburn. The freezing conditions and frost is certainly going to have a big say in whether games take place. The U19s and U16s games may also be subject to similar decisions, however, both games will be down to the decisions of the host clubs.

U16 training - Friday 21 January

The U16s are reminded that tomorrow's training session at Pilrig Park is from 2pm to 4pm.

U19 weekend match venue confirmed

The 19s Cruden Bowl quarter final tie away to Spartans FC on Saturday will take place at Civil Service Ground 2pm Kick Off

Colts return for 2011

Albion's Junior sections return for the new year tomorrow (18 January) U8/9 from 6.30pm - 7.30pm and the U10 from 7.30pm - 8.30pm at Pilrig Park school

16s extend lead at top of the table

Albion filed away another 3 points at Pilrig today as they emerged 3-1 winners v Cavalry Park. Goals from Sheerin, Kennedy and Conlon, gave Albion the edge over plucky opponents. It was a satisfying win after a very long 9 week lay off.

Fixtures Sat/Sun 22/23 January 2011

Next weeks fixtures have been allocated:
Saturday 22 January Ams away to Tartan FC (League)
Saturday 22 January U19s away to Spartans FC (Cup - Cruden Bowl)
Sunday 23 January U16s home to Beeslack (League)

All systems go for the U16s

What a difference 24 hours makes.The decision to inspect the park ahead of todays game was a wise one! The rain that fell yesterday, would have easily allowed the club to make a snap decision on the parks playability for today, but the good forecast and strong winds gave us some optimism. On inspection today at 10.30am the park was in perfect condition. The fixture v Cavalry Park will now go ahead as planned Kick Off 2pm.

Ams game postponed

The Ams game lost out to heavy rain at lunchtime yesterday. So much water had fallen in the space of an hour that the park almost "drowned". Given the torrents of rain that fell for thee rest of the day it was certainly the right decision.

Ams game gets go ahead

The Ams game v Danderhall will go ahead as planned today KO2pm

Signing News

The Club has been busy recruiting since we stepped into 2011. The U16s have signed central defender Cameron Fyffe who will be a welcome squad addition as they push for the League title. The U19s were also due to parade three new signing's at today's fixture v Haddington (now postponed)The U8's colts will also welcome a bundle of new recruits when they resume on Tuesday 18 January.

Weekend fixture update

If it isn't snow its rain!. The U19s clash v Haddington at Pilrig is Off. The Ams game is dependant on a 10.30am inspection. This fixture has been diverted back to Pilrig. The Ams are prepared to use the smaller park in order to fulfil the fixture, if at all possible.
The 16s Sunday game at home to Cavalry is subject to an early morning pitch inspection.

Proposed fixture change

Albion's senior squad have requested a venue switch for Saturday's fixture. With both the seniors and the U19s both due at Pilrig this saturday, and the seniors due to use the smaller park, it was advisable to reverse the fixture with Danderhall, who quickly agreed. However, as their park is more exposed to the elements than ours, everything will be dependent on weather conditions between now and Friday

Evening training sessions - Cancelled

Tonights sessions at both pilrig park and Leith Academy floodlit Astro have been cancelled. The surfaces at pilrig park are still frozen solid in some places and can't be used due to safety issues. Leith Academy have similar concerns with the astroturf, and after working to clear the ice for most of the day, the staff had no alternative but to cancel and informed us today that the facility will be closed.

Fixtures in for next weekend

Associations have cast fixtures for next saturday and sunday. With no sign of the current snow clearing, unless we have tropical temperatures, its a bit optimistic. Opposition has also changed from previous 3 postponements and are as follows:-
Ams at home v Danderhall Miners - saturday
U19 at home v Haddington Athletic - saturday
U16 at home v Cavalry park - sunday

Its (snow) go again this weekend!

Last nights heavy snowfall has left us with no option but to postpone our weekend fixtures at pilrig park. Both games have now fallen victim to the weather situation. Likewise, the 19s fixture is also postponed up at Fernieside. Its now 7 weeks without a fixture.

19s saturday fixture

The 19s fixture away to Fernieside was given the go ahead on Wednesday. The home side are confident their park will be playable.

16s and 19s Training

Youth squads are reminded that a full training session will be held today at pilrig from 2pm - 4pm.

Weekend Fixture Updates

Our weekend fixtures at pilrig park are looking promising. The surfaces were slightly heavy, but have been in worse condition at times, so we are hopeful that saturday's amateur fixture v Musselburgh and sundays u16 game will also make it. The 19s fixture away to Fernieside is still in the balance and a decision will be made by the home side later in the week.

Amateur News Update

The senior section have booked Gracemount Leisure Centre for a session on Wednesday 5 January from 7pm - 8:30pm. All players are asked to contact the Ams management team for details.

Festive Greetings

A happy and prosperous New Year to everyone connected with the Albion. Many thanks for the New Year text messages. Enjoy 2011