Pupils from Perth High School are riding on the crest of a footballing wave as all eyes turn towards a national semi-final fixture at the beginning of next week.
Senior students will continue their quest for Scottish Schools’ Football Association Senior Shield glory on Monday against Dunfermline High School.
Booking a ticket to the last four of the competition, which will be played at New Central Park in Kelty, was made possible thanks to a dramatic quarter-final win last week.
Perth High had played out a 3-3 draw away at Robert Gordon’s College - Kacper Przeslica and Jay Oosenbrugh (2) the scorers - before winning on penalties.
PE teacher Ross Robinson said it was an “incredibly tense” game followed by joyous celebrations.
“We were one nil up at half time, but in reality, should have scored a few more,” he explained.
“The second half was a whirlwind, the opposition team started playing some fantastic football and equalised fairly quickly. We knew we were in a real game at that point but we knuckled down and kept working hard to keep ourselves in it.
“Penalties are always a lottery and this team has been on both ends of that lottery over the last few years.
“But our goalkeeper, Bruno Nowrotek, made two fantastic saves and thankfully defender Charlie Scott was able to convert the high-pressure penalty that won us the game.
“Penalties are the worst way to lose a football game, but possibly the most exciting way to win one, and the celebrations at the end of the game were wonderful. The bus journey back to Perth was loud, to say the least.”
Mr Robinson knows the whole school - and indeed the entire region - will be backing Perth High in Monday’s exciting tie with Dunfermline.
“We have played Dunfermline High School before in previous years and always found it to be an incredibly tough 90 minutes,” Mr Robinson added.
“School football in Fife is incredibly well established with a very high standard of teams.
“The players will have to ensure they leave every ounce of effort and determination on the park because the prize at stake is one that does not come along all that often.
“This game is going to be a massive event and hopefully the whole of the Perth High School community will get behind the boys. We are looking into bringing as many pupils and staff as possible to the match.”
The core of Perth High’s senior team has been playing together for five years now and Mr Robinson says it is a squad blessed with both “exceptional” footballers and young men.
“The vast majority of this team were involved back in 2018 when our S1 boys’ football team were successful in a national competition, winning the Scottish Schools’ Football Association Plate,” Mr Robinson recalled.
“The team spirit in the group is fantastic and it makes a massive difference to the newer, younger players when their older team-mates set good examples on and off the pitch.
“This has allowed young players such as Connell Clarke and Aaron Flood, both in S4, to integrate into the group and play as if they have been in the squad for years.
“The team is not afraid to dig deep, work hard and show the grit and resilience necessary to win games.
“We have a large squad of players this year, so competition for places within the team has been fierce and it’s been fantastic to have so many footballers donning the Perth High school shirt across local and national competitions.”
Aside from the excitement for Monday, Perth High are also looking forward to participating in the final of the Perth and Kinross senior final against Breadalbane later this year.
Generally across Perth and Kinross, Mr Robinson said this is a “very exciting” time for schools' football in the region.
He continued: “We have reintroduced Perth and Kinross Cup competitions with finals hosted by some of our local Junior football clubs and St Johnstone agreed to host the senior final at McDiarmid Park.
“A newly formed Perth and Kinross regional team will be taking part in national competitions next year at U15 level.
“Opportunities for school pupils to be involved in football are incredibly important, and events like this highlight the incredible work that schools, teachers and volunteers have done to support our young people to play football.”
