U11s rise to the challenge

The 11s came away from Danderhall, registering another comfortable win on the road. On a freezing morning, which felt more like December than April, Albion stood up to what was certainly the most “physical” challenge they’ve faced this season. Some of the challenges were ”keen” to say the least, but Albion never lost their stride, and coped with both the weather and the opposition. The lads will this week have a fun session on Tuesday, before hosting a friendly match on Friday 4 May, when they play against Albions partner coaching group, 3v2 Soccer Academy U12 lads Kick off is 6:30pm at Pilrig.

U11s game details

Game away to Danderhall on Sunday is 11am kick off. Players requested to meet mini bus at Pilrig Park 9:45am prompt.

U11s on their travels this Sunday

The Junior 7s team will travel to Danderhall on Sunday for their ESSSDA sevens game. Meeting and kick off times will be confirmed by tomorrow.

Ams get a weeks breathing space

The Senior Ams, who played and won their final game of the season, are hanging on to the relegation trap-door as we wait for other teams to falter. Last nights results went in our favour, and the Ams moved up a league place as they swapped with last nights losers Linlithgow. Results between now and next week will decide the Ams league status.

Albion win the battle for three points

Albion battled back from being 0-2 at half time to snatch a well deserved 3-2 win with an Archibald goal in the dying minutes of the game. The game was a meaty affair with the match official having to earn his fee as the visitors finished the game with only nine players. Albion had to show some real character to earn the three points and it was a supreme effort that gives them a flicker of hope in their fight to beat relegation.

Final Senior game of season at Pilrig tonight.

The Senior Ams will bring down the curtain on their league and cup campaign for season 2011/2012. A win v Livingston tonight would just about keep their very slender hopes of avoiding relegation alive. Anything less and the Ams drop out of Premier Division Two.

Ams v Albion Veterans

Saturday 5 May will close the Seniors season with a Senior Ams v Albion Veterans Game. With a number of Ams players retiring from the game, including the seniors managment team, the club have pulled together a formidable gathering of ex youth and senior players, the interest from the veterans has been so great that we could have fielded two teams, to bring down the curtain for the retiring players and officials, and allow the club to celebrate the many years of service given to the club. Considering that five of the retirees have devoted 76 years of club service between them,from youth through to Amateur, it should be a day to remember. The day will end with a reception at the Strathie Bar. Kick off is 1:30pm and a bright sunny day should bring out a decent crowd.

Albion defeat points to relegation

Albion's 3-4 home defeat yesterday to Bathgate almost certainly means relegation from Premier 2. It could have been all so different if they hadn't let a 2-0 lead slip, then a 3-2 lead, but sloppy defending and some wayward finishing, allowed the visitors to edge back into the game and a poorly defended corner with 4 minutes left on the clock cemented Albion's position firmly rooted in the drop zone. Even a win in their last outing of the season at home to Livingston on Monday evening (23 April) may not be enough, even if other results go their way.

Junior Coaching sessions - A reminder

Quick reminder to parents and players who attend the Tuesday sessions at Pilrig. Please remember to bring indoor and outdoor kit each week, especially outdoor footwear. The good weather will now allow us to do most of our sessions on the 7s park. However, if the weather was to suddenly change, we'd have to move back into the games hall, so it's important that players bring both sets of footwear each week.

Albion U7s accept SFA Complimentary tickets

Our U7s will enjoy a visit to Wednesdays Scotland v Italy U21 game at Easter Road. The club have been allocated 10 complimentary tickets issued to clubs local to the match venue. Two club coaches will accompany 8 players to the game which kicks off at 7pm. This will be, for many of the lads, their first time in a match stadium, and let's hope they enjoy the experience with a Scotland win.

U11 Midweek Games

The U11 have no fixture this Sunday due to the coaches attending the SFA Conference. The club has however, invited three clubs to come down to Pilrig, to play some midweek games. They've still to be confirmed, but news should be available soon. One game definitely confirmed is a friendly against the clubs partner organisation 3v2 Soccer Academy planned for Friday evening 2 May with a 6:30 kick off.

Only two left?

The senior Ams have only two fixtures left. Both are home games with the first on Saturday v Bathgate then Monday evening, 23 April at home to Livingston AFC kick offs 2pm and 6:30pm respectively. Maximum points from both games are vital to give Albion any chance of avoiding relegation.

Albion's Junior coaching teams head to Livingston

The clubs junior coaching teams will head for Braidwood Motors Stadium Livingston on Sunday 21 April to attend the annual SFA Coaching conference. As well as a multitude of coaching tips and advice on offer, there are practical coaching sessions being facilitated by Alan Irvine (Everton Academy coach) and Steve Agnew (Middlesborough) SFA coach Donald Park will also provide technical advice. The day ends in a question and answer session. It's a full day, 9am to 4pm, with lunch provided. This will be Albions fourth year of attending the conference and it's a fantastic experience for our club coaches.

All back to normal

All Junior sections are back to normal this week as the Easter break ends. The U8/9/10s and U11 all resume coaching sessions at Pilrig Park and school on Tuesday 17 April at Pilrig Park.
The U7s resume on Friday 20 April at Pilmeny Youth Centre, usual starting times for all age groups.

What a difference a day makes.

Sunday morning at Pilrig was the perfect medicine for the dissapointment of the previous day.
The U11s played host to Cramond in an ESSSDA 7s fixture and on a lovely spring morning turned in a performance of the highest quality. The movement, passing and clinical finishing of the home side, was a sight to behold. The natural creative play from the U11s had the neutrals in the morning crowd praising the spectacle of flair on show. As one old worthy put it on his way out of Pilrig he'd have happily paid SPL prices to have watched Albion's performance.

The trap door opens?

Another home defeat for the Ams on Saturday leaves them with one foot in the relegation zone. The 1-4 defeat to Edinburgh Rose now leaves Albion with the precarious task of having to win their final two home fixtures, then hope for other teams to slip up, to have any chance of avoiding relegation. It's been a dramatic three months for the Ams as they hit a terrible run of form. From early January they were sitting comfortably in the top four, then a spate of injuries and the loss of key players through various reasons, work etc, left them spiralling down the table. It was interesting that Saturday's game especially, wasn't a 1-4 game!. Both sides were evenly matched, with both having a similar amount of possession and chances, but it was Albion who suffered most, through some errors and costly decisions from the match official.
Also with the squad at a bare minimum, with both veteran coaches, involved in the on-field action, it was a difficult day all round. So to the next, and final two home games, their fate is in their own hands.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 14 April - Senior Ams at home to Edinburgh Rose, kick off 2pm
Sunday 15 April - U11s at home to Cramond BC, kick off 10:30am
Ams Colts season has finished.

Ams end of season poor form continues

The Ams lost their midweek fixture away to league leaders Heriot Vale 4-0. The result now leaves the Ams sitting precariously above the relegation drop zone and a win at Pilrig Park on Saturday is now vital.

U11s Tuesday session.

The U11s have planned a coaching session for Tuesday 10 April at Pilrig Park. Usual time, 6:30 onwards. The session has been arranged to prepare for Sundays ESSSDA fixture at home to Cramond BC. Please note that the school is closed due to the Easter holidays and players are advised to attend in outdoor kit.

Ams holiday fixture

The Ams are due to interrupt their Easter long weekend holiday this evening when they travel to play Heriot Vale in a league fixture. With recent defeats resulting in a drop into the lower half of the table three points are badly needed.

Easter Weekend

None of the clubs sections have games cast for this weekend. It's a free week for the U11s, Senior Ams and Ams Colts. Enjoy the Easter break.

Juniors - a reminder

With Easter school holidays in full swing all junior sections are having a coaching free week. Our 8/9/10s will return on Tuesday 17 April, the U7s on Friday 20 April. The U11s will have a fixture on Sunday 15 April and a coaching session has been arranged for Tuesday 10 April

Signing deadline

Yesterday, 31 March, was the deadline for signing new players, with all clubs having to apply the rule. Albion moved quickly last week to sign three new players. A total of 9 players have been released, five in midweek, and four last night. The final four were cut loose after yesterday's no show.

Weekend Woes - Part Two

The U11s game was postponed at short notice due to visitors Alnwickhill being unable to field a team. The casual nature of the ESSSDA 7s allows for this type of situation, with rightfully, no recriminations for clubs who decide to cancel. However, it does have an impact, and the fact that Redpath Albion have booked a park, janitorial cover for the school changing rooms which all has to be paid for, as well as the dissapointment felt by our U11 players, the timing of such cancellations has to be questioned. A quick phone call early in the week would make a lot of difference to the club who are left with no game. This morning the lads have had to make do with a coaching session.

Weekend woes

Saturday threw up a few disasters for the club's two senior sides. The Ams were overwhelmed by a very good Fernieside squad who came to Pilrig and were worthy 1-4 winners. The home side looked jaded and it was a typical end of season performance. The Colts were unable to fulfill their fixture away to Mayfield/Easthouses due to a lack of players. Some key squad members took fright at the mere mention of the visit to the league leaders and failed to show for the squad departure time. All credit to the 10 stalwarts who did arrive ready to play. With only one league game left, home to Mayfield/Easthouses, date to be arranged, Albion Colts will finish the season with a bare squad of twelve regulars. An end of season meeting between Colts players and the club, will determine whether they wish to register for next seasons campaign.