International duty for Albion’s under 19 stars

Jan 7 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

TWO of Stirling Albion’s Under 19 squad have been selected to represent the Scottish Schools' FA international squad for the coming season which starts with a warm weather training week in Cyprus in February.

Larbert High pupil Gregg Munn was in the squad last season and was again successful in gaining selection following the final trial day held at Stenhousemuir just before Christmas.

Gregg will be joined by midfielder Michael McAdam from Balfron High School who joined the Stirling team in August from Livingston.

Michael opted to stay on at school despite an offer of full time football at the West Lothian club and has made a significant impact since joining Stirling at the start of the season.

Following preparation friendlies against Queen's Park, Stirling Albion and Ayr United, the 18-man squad will fly to Cyprus in February for a week-long warm weather training camp. Games away to Northern Ireland and Wales are either side of a game against the Republic of Ireland at Tynecastle.

The team then goes to Turkey for preparation before meeting England at the new Love Street Stadium in Paisley.

Last season Liam Corr captained the schoolboy team and was joined in the squad by Don Morrison, Magnus Neilson and Gregg Munn.

Also joining the Albion duo is James Stevenson, a pupil at St Mungo's High School, Falkirk, who plays at Alloa.

STIRLING Albion’s youngsters are keen to get back into action after the festive shutdown.

The Under 19s last played on December 20 when they met Arbroath in a re-scheduled Irn Bru SFL Youth Division fixture.

In a fine performance, the side won 3-0 with goals from Stevie McIntosh and a double from Michael McAdam. Keeper Danny Cawley returned from illness to perform well and the return from injury of centre back Kenny Feaks gave the defence a stronger look.

Youth player Johnnie Boyle was mystified after 15 minutes when he was substituted given that he was performing well and had set up the first goal from his corner kick. Manager Allan Moore had requested the youngster's services to cover on the first team bench for the game against Queen's Park. Although he did not feature in the Forthbank game the youngster did make his first team debut in the victory against Arbroath at Gayfield on Decemebr 27.

The next fixture due for the under 19s is on Sunday with a home game against Ayr United at the Forthbank astro with a 2.15pm kick off.

The under 17s meet Montrose at Forthbank on Sunday at 12.15pm.

Friendlies have been arranged for the under 15s on Sunday and January 18 against Falkirk before new fixtures will be issued by the SFA for Youth Development Initiative fixtures up until May.

The under 13s team played a younger age group Dundee United squad on December 28 in what was an excellent match. Goals from Fraser Wilson and Thomas Lowe gave the young Binos a deserved 2-0 lead before a polished Dundee United team came back with two goals of their own. Theire next game is a friendly against local Riverside Boys Club on Friday at 7pm.