Weekend Fixtures

The Senior Ams entertain Fernieside AFC in a league fixture at Pilrig Park - KO 2pm. The Ams Colts head to Mayfield/Easthouses in the quarter finals of the Robertson cup. Sunday's ESSSDA 7s game will match the U11s at home to Alnwickhill - Kick off at Pilrig is 10.30am

Easter Football Fun at Pilrig

Albion have again teamed up with 3v2 soccer academy to provide a holiday soccer camp for local children aged 5-12YR. All Albion Junior members, as well as Pilmeny Mini Sports club members, have all been given the academy details. There are still a few places available on specific days and parents are advised to contact us quickly as they are sure to be snapped up. The Camp is being held at Pilrig Park and School from 9am - 4pm on Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 April. For details contact the coaching team via the 3v2 website on www.3v2socceracademy.co.uk

U11 shine in the sun

Our U11 ESSSDA squad enjoyed a trip up the hill to Colinton where they visited the home of AC Oxgangs. The early 9.30am kick-off, tied to the changing of the clocks to summer time status, had no affect, and a bright sunny morning allowed the lads to enjoy their third game of the season. The game was a real end-to-end affair and the home side just edged it.

Pilrig double header = Double defeat!

Both Albion sides found themselves at home for the first time this season and a busy Pilrig Park, shrouded in mist for most of the day, failed to deliver the wins expected. The Colts kicked off at 1pm, but the game was hardly a thriller. With both sides locked at 0-0 at half time, one lapse in concentration was all it took for the visiting Dunedin side to edge ahead, midway through the second half, when Albion were caught out at a short corner. Thats how it ended with Albion losing 0-1. The 3pm start with the Senior Ams hosting Heriot Vale, was a more open game and after dipping into a 0-2 first half defecit, the Ams finally ran out 1-4 losers.

Beat the Clock!

Reminder to U11s and parents. The clocks go forward 1 hour at the weekend

U11s on the road again this week

Albion's U11 soccer 7s side are on their travels again this week when the lads head up to Colinton to play AC Oxgangs. Its an earlier than usual kick-off at 9.30am and the club bus leaves Pilrig at 8.30am

Weekend Fixtures - Pilrig Double Header

With both Senior sides allocated home fixtures Pilrig will enjoy a double game on Saturday.
The Albion Colts will play Dunedin with a 1pm Kick-off. All players to report by 12pm prompt
The Ams will host Heriot Vale AFC with a 3pm Kick-Off. Both games are League fixtures.
An interesting twist to an unusual situation, is that match official, Mr Dixon will referee both games.

SFA Coaching Conference

Albion will have 6 coaches in attendance at the SFA coaching conference being held at Livingston's Braidwood Motors Stadium on Sunday 22 April. The conference is being facilitated by the SFA with presentations and practical coaching sessions undertaken by Alan Irvine and Michael Agnew, Everton and Middlesborough Youth Academy directors, along with the experienced Donald Park. The conference is an all day affair with lunch provided. This will be Albion's fifth conference and every club coach who has attended has highly recommended the experience. In recent years Academy coaching directors have attended from Everton, Man Utd, Liverpool, Celtic and Chelsea.

L&EAFA Future fixtures posted

The Ams association have published fixtures for the run up to the start of midweek fixtures. Both Albion sides haven't been allocated any midweek games for the week beginning 2 April. Both Albion sides will also have free weeks on Saturday 7 April, Easter weekend. Full listings of L&EAFA fixtures can be found at the association website.

U11s show some style in win at Roslin

The U11s notched another win away to Beeslack Thistle in the ESSSDA 7s. The lads slick passing movement and creative play proved too much for the home side and another win will give the boys added confidence.

Super Saturday for Albion Senior Sides

It was Super saturday for bouth squads as Albion's Ams sides both recorded good wins. The Ams had a tricky one at Pilrig where they hosted North Edinburgh Wanderers and the 2-1 hadly reflected the dominance Albion enjoyed in this game. A series of missed chances would have gave the home side a bigger win margin but the win is to be savoured with the important 3 points allowing the Ams to climb the table. The Colts travelled down to Meadowmill where they faced Lothian star, sitting in joint third, with the home side probably confident of 3 points, in their quest for promotion. The East Lothian venue, with its immaculate playing surface, gave both sides an opportunity to spread the passes, but the sloping pitch and strong wind, was to have a hand in the end result. Albion skipper Richie Irvine, elected to play up the slope, against the wind in the 1st period and as predicted the home side peppered the Albion goal, using the wind, but to no affect as Albion keeper Grieve and his defence coped well. It was Albion however, who created the more chances, and with two glaring opportunities missed, it was a Glasgow goal that put Albion deservedly in front on the stroke of half time. The second half, predictably, saw Albion flow forward down the slope and by the time the home side levelled in 70 Minutes, Albion should have had the game wrapped up, but for a bundle of missed opportunities. The visitors however, took a deserved lead with 6 minutes left, when Glasgow turned his marker on the edge of the area and fired home to make it 1-2

Weekend Fixtures

Senior Ams are at home to North Edinburgh - Pilrig Park - KO2pm
Ams Colts are away to Lothian Star - Meadowmill - KO2pm
The U11s ESSSDA 7s are away to Beeslack Thistle - Roslin - KO11.30am

Annual Presentation

The club has finalised plans for the Annual Players Presentation event. The evening will bring together both Senior squads and their guests to celebrate season 2011/2012 at the Edinburgh City club on Friday 25 May. Tickets priced £6 each are available from this weekend.

U11s start season with a win

The U11s ESSSDA season finally kicked-off at Pilrig where the 11s played host to Arniston Rangers. The home side were quick of the mark and were well worth their comfortable half time lead. A quieter second half performance,but with no less skill and free flowing passing and movement, was enough to open their account with a deserved win.

Double defeats for Albion senior sides

Albion Colts only had themselves to blame for taking nothing from their home game v Civil Service. Going 1-0, up yhen conceding two sloppy goals, then levelling through an Irvine header, Albion looked comfortably in control by half-time. It all uravelled 20 minutes into the second period when they conceded a poor penalty to go behind. Despite a spirited late flurry, the Colts conceded 2 late goals to lose 2-5. The margin of defeat doesn't reflect the effort put in by the players, and on another day, with chances taken, and a bit more luck, it might have been a different story. Sums up much of the Colts season really. The senior Ams lost 3-1 away to Linlithgow.

U11s finally kick-off season

The U11s soccer 7s squad, after last weeks cancellation, will get their season underway with the visit of Arniston Rangers tomorrow. The 10.30am kick-off at Pilrig should draw its usual large crowd.

Weekend Fixtures

The Ams Colts host Civil Service Strollers at Pilrig in and important league fixture as as the Colts aim to build on last weeks great result KO2pm. The Ams have another long trip to Linlithgow Thistle in an equally important league fixture KO2pm

Possible changes to sub rules next season

At long last a possible solution to the madness of only being allowed to play 3 from 5 subs. The rule change was brought in some years ago, but only applied to youth games up to U17. 19s and U21, as well as Amatuer club were stuck with the 3 from 5. A strong lobby from a host of associations and clubs, including ours, to allow the change at 19/21 and Ams, may now be about to become a reality. The SFA take on the issue can be found here. http://youthfootballscotland.co.uk/news-a-media/featured-news/4347-substitution-progress-at-ifab-meeting
Our own comments were documented in earlier blog listings and can be found here:-
http://redpathalbionafc.blogspot.com/2011/06/substitutes-at-19-and-21-level-further.html
However, lets not jump for joy just yet. The game in this country is loathe to change at the best of times. Lets believe it when we see it!

Ams Colts bag 5 for great win

The Colts blasted their way to an impressive 1-5 win away at Leith Star United. Playing against a stiff breeze and after losing an early goal they stormed back to a deserved half-time lead with goals from Ferguson and Scouse. The addition of three second half goals from Glasgow, a superb Ferguson free kick, and a glorious Johnston header gave Albion a fully deserved 3 points. Big mention to 41 year old centre half Richie Irvine, who galloped about like a teeanger winning every tackle and header, and sailed through the game.

Senior Ams stunned by late goal

The Senior Ams were within 10 seconds of taking full points back to Leith, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw away to Fernieside. Up 0-1, then 1-2 with seconds to go it was a cruel blow to lose such a late goal after all their efforts.

Dejection for U11s

The U11s were denied a start to their new season today when hosts Bonnyrigg Rose called off due to a lack of players. The situation was beyond our control and the short notice given, made it difficult for us to re-arrange a fixture or coaching session.

Website Update

The clubs website is now updated and displaying full up to the minute news. U11s ESSSDA fixtures are listed from March to April

U11s Season starts

The U11s ESSSDA season begins on Sunday 4 March with an away fixture to Bonnyrigg Rose. KO 10.30am.

Fixtures - Saturday 3 March

Senior Ams away to Fernieside AFC - KO2pm - @ Peffermill Complex.
Senior Colts away to Leith Star - KO2pm - @ Duddingston Park

U11s shine in Pilrig sun

The U11s notched a convincing win at home to Cramond in a pre-season soccer 7s fixture. The football played by this very talented squad of boys was at times exceptional. A brand of football not always on show at Pilrig, enthralled the big crowd, and the standard set, if maintained, will ensure we're in for a good summer season.

Last Weekend Fixtures

It was a topsy turvy weekend for both senior sides. The Senior Ams were tumbled out of the Cairns Cup when losing away to Livingston AFC by 5 goals to 3. The Ams Colts, even after scoring 3 home goals, lost heavily to Edinburgh Southern.