U11s v Cramond

The U11s will open their season with a home friendly on Sunday 26 February when Cramond make the short journey to Pilrig Park. Its been a three month winter lay off for the lads and the squad will be ready, bright and early, for the 10.30am kick off.

Juniors -U10s, now U11s

The U11s East of Scotland Soccer Sevens Development Season 2012 gets underway on Sunday 4 March. Fixture lists will be available by Monday 27 February.

Mini Bus Back in operation

The club bus is back on the road after being returned by the garage on Wednesday.

Seniors weekend fixtures

The Senior Colts welcome Edinburgh Southern to Pilrig Park with a 2pm kick off. The Senior Ams head along the M8 again for the long trip to Livingston where both sides will contest the 1st Round of the Cairns Cup.

Senior Ams Injury News

Ams midfielder Graham Flynn's season looks to be over. Graham was replaced on Saturday after a collision on the 3G surface and the diagnosis is increasingly pointing towards a Cruciate injury that will take a long time to heal.

Juniors Back In Action

Albion's Junior sections are back this week after the school holidays. 8/9/10s return tomorrow evening at the usual time of 6.30 at Pilrig School. The U7 restart on Friday at Pilmeny Youth Centre same time 6.30pm

Double defeats for Senior teams

Both Senior sides were left with nothing to show for two decent performances. The Senior Ams lost 1-0 at Saughton 3G, but by all accounts did more than enough to overturn the scorline, and with more composure in front of goal should have won. The Ams Colts endured a windswept 90 minutes as Pilrig played hosts to 2nd place Musselburgh Windsor. The loss of 3 late first half goals gave the colts a mountain to climb, but with the howling gale at their backs in the second period, they failed to claw back the defecit and were left on the end of a 2-4 defeat.

Weekend Fixtures

Both Senior sides are in action this weekend. The Senior Colts host Musselburgh Windsor in a League fixture at Pilrig Park - KO 2pm and the Senior Ams head to Saughton 3G for a cup tie away to Edinburgh South. Note this game has a 3pm kick off.

Stop the bus!

The club mini-bus is currently undergoing its annual MOT. Senior squads and Junior teams are reminded that the vehicle may not be available for weekend use. Call the club on Friday for information.

Senior Colts training session

Another session has been arranged for the Senior Colts at the Leith Academy Astro complex for Wednesday 15 February at 8pm. Players asked to meet for 7.45pm

Juniors have week off.

Due to this weeks school holidays all Junior (U7/8/9/10) coaching sessions will have a shot break. The U10s coaching team is in the process of planning either a 7s friendly or coaching session for Sunday 19 February. Confirmation by end of the week.

One Loss....One Draw

Mixed bag for the Senior sides on saturday. The Colts home tie at Pilrig v Dunbar United left a very disappointed squad wondering how they had lost! A first half of total dominance, a mass of missed chances, and the home keeper hardly having a save to make, it was all looking very positive at the half time break. Two glorious chances missed in the first 5 mins of the restart came back to haunt the Colts. A defensive mistake, a bit of inexperience and a bizzare penalty, allowed the visitors to take a 0-3 lead. The Colts eventually awoke to the fact that, even at 0-3 there was still much to play for, and 2 late Ferguson goals, inspired an extreme effort, but the clocked tick towards another defeat. All told, the first half display, apart from the missed chances, was almost faultless! A 17 minute spell in the second period ended in the Colts having to settle for another loss when they deserved far more. The Senior Ams headed along the motorway to Bathgate and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. However, at 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go, the Ams came storming back into the game and levelled with goals from Robertson and Martin, and by all accounts should probably have went on to win the game.

Weekends Fixtures

The mild midweek weather will hopefully ensure some football is played this weekend. Albions Senior Ams make the long trip west to play Bathgate. The host side have made contingency plans to beat any overnight frost. All going well, the tie will kick off at 2pm on grass as planned. If the frost causes any problems, the fixture will switch to astroturf, with a 3pm start. Albion's Senior Colts side will host Dunbar United in a re-arranged league fixture. The Pilrig kick-off is planned for 2pm

Astro Session - Wednesday 8 February

In order to try and beat the freezing weather conditions, Albion's Colts squad are reminded that a session at Leith Academy Astro sports complex, will take place on Wednesday 8 February from 8pm

Colts travel in vain

There was further dissapointment for the Colts who made the journey to Easthouses only for the game to be called off. There was no chance of the match passing the pitch inspection and a bit of common-sense from the hosts and a mid-morning call would have been welcomed. To arrive at the venue, only to be told that the park had only a 50/50 chance of being playable, was an indication that there was an issue. After walking the park with the match official, an experienced eye would have made your mind up in 30 seconds. Given the additional travel costs of private cars and mini-bus fuel, not to mention the anger of the Colts squad at the huge inconvenience caused, it was a wasted Saturday to say the least.

Weather Wins!

Both Senior games were beaten by the overnight weather. Although, the predicted freeze wasn't as severe, both parks after referees inspections, were declared unplayable.Ah well, another weekend lost.

U7 places up for grabs

The club's U7 soccer fours section is making good progress. Sessions are held each Friday during school term times at Pilmeny Youth Centre, Buchanan Street, Leith from 6.30pm - 7.30pm. We now only have 4 spaces available and the club is keen to fill those in order to allow us to move on to stage two of the groups development. Parents requiring further information, or wanting to enrol are asked to contact the club via webmaster@redpathalbion.co.uk or call the club office @ 0131 554 0953

U10s Sunday 5 February

The U10s coaching teams have been frantically trying to arrange a friendly fixture for Sunday, but all offers to clubs for a game at Pilrig have been gently declined. With the season due to commence in early March, it was important to try and kick-start some games and build some pre-season game time. Things are looking a bit better for next week and the 26th and we're hopeful that games can be arranged. A morning coaching session is being arranged for the 5th however, and parents will be contacted in due course.

Can we beat the big weekend freeze?

Both senior games are in some doubt tomorrow due to the oncoming freezing weather. The Senior Ams are at home to North Edinburgh Wanderers in a league fixture and a morning pitch inspection at Pilrig will be determined by the predicted overnight freeze. The Senior Colts are due to travel to Easthouses to take on the home club in the Q/F of the Robertson Cup. Again this tie is dependent on overnight weather conditions. Updates as we get them.