The coach who led Perth High School’s under-18s football team to an historic Senior Boys Shield victory says their fans were “amazing”.
Around 400 supporters travelled to Glasgow’s Hampden Park on Friday to see Perth defeat Holyrood Secondary School to claim only the second shield in their history.
They took the flagship Scottish schools trophy for the first time since 2001 thanks to a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw.
Perth were worthy of their 1-0 half-time lead but Glasgow-based Holyrood dominated the second-half and had opportunities to add more than just their 76th-minute equaliser.
But Ross Robinson, the team’s coach and PE teacher, said it was the support of the Perth fans that got them through.
He said: “When Holyrood got the first they could easily have got the second but the organisation and the way they fought for every single ball is what made the difference.
“I am amazed by our support.
“Hampden is a mile from Holyrood but we had a big following.
“The support we have had has not just been from players’ families and friends but Perth High School and the whole community.
“I know there’s people tonight who had no affiliation to any of the players but wanted to support a Perth team and it definitely had an impact – especially in the second-half when we were having to defend for our lives.
“Every time a tackle was made we heard a big cheer and it just gave them that energy and extra boost.
“So I would like to thank everyone for coming.”
‘Amazing role models’
Ross’ pride was echoed Perth High School depute head Lisa Sorbie.
“It was nervy and touch and go for a bit but the boys played absolutely brilliantly,” she said.
“I am fantastically proud of them and they are amazing role models for the younger boys as well.
“We have a lot of first years watching tonight and some of the boys coach them.”
‘Not many can say they have scored at Hampden’
Perth’s goal came courtesy of this season’s top goalscorer Kacper Przeslica after 12 minutes.
It was the Letham Juniors striker’s 11th of the campaign.
Born in Poland, Przeslica moved to Scotland with his family when he was two years old.
Remarkably, he only signed up for a club when he was 14.
Now the 18-year-old hopes to become a professional footballer.
“Not many can say they have scored at Hampden,” he said proudly.
“That will probably be my highlight for a while.
‘My legs were like jelly’
Connell Clarke, 16, netted the second penalty kick.
The right-back began playing at Pitfour before being scouted by Dundee United where he was later released.
After spending five years at St Johnstone he moved to Letham Juniors and now plays for Montrose.
“I just wanted to get the penalty done and get it done quickly,” he said.
“My legs were like jelly and I was so relieved when it went in.
“Being here was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I was as nervous as hell when I took the penalty.
“I am just glad I did it.”
‘Someone had to go first so why not me?’
Vice-captain Adam Leese took Perth’s first penalty in the shootout.
The Jeanfield Swifts strikers is in S6 and in the autumn will head to Stirling university to study sport science.
“Someone had to go first so why not me?” he said.
“You’re never going to get the opportunity to do it again so I just went for it.
“We have had the same team since the first-year so to finish up like this is a great way to end.”
An important squad player who didn’t make it onto the Hampden turf was Jacob Juggins, 16, who had an ankle injury.
“I was proud to be here with the boys and I love them all,” he said.
Pictures
All pictures by Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.
- Perth High School make history with penalty shootout win to claim Senior Boys Shield
- 400+ Perth High School fans heading to Hampden for ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ football finale
- The enduring friendship that has earned Perth High School boys a place in Hampden cup final
- Perth High School’s 2001 cup-winning captain Scott Findlay never forgets to remind Eddie Malone about final
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