Inverness club Balloan Thistle head to Edinburgh to face Spartans in Scottish Youth Cup quarter final
BALLOAN Thistle will look to reach the semi finals of the SYFA Under-18 Scottish Cup quarter finals when they take on Spartans in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.
The Inverness club will look to book their place in the last four of the competition at Ainslie Park with kick-off at 3.30pm.
Balloan, who play in the under-18 Highland League North are having a good season in league and cup competitions and are looking to make a big impact on the national stage.
They have already taken some notable scalps in the competition defeating last year’s finalists Westdyke 6-5 and then Thorn Athletic 3-2 to set up a quarter final clash with Spartans in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Balloan under-18 coach Liam Paterson says his team are going into the match confident that they can make the last four of the competition.
“We are all prepped up for the match and we want to get as far as we can,” he said.
“We have a really good team with a powerful strikeforce and an excellent defence.
“They are probably one of the best teams that I have coached during my time in football.
“They know what to do, as long as they play the football that they are capable of, they can get a result.
“We have shocked a lot of people by beating last year’s finalists and we want to keep that up.”
Balloan Thistle are also challenging for the Under-18 Highland League North title. They are currently in second place on 39 points and six points behind leaders Wick Academy with a game in hand.
Paterson says Balloan reaching the Scottish Cup quarter final is a big achievement not just for the club, but for football in the Highlands.
“Nobody would have given a Highland team a chance to reach the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup,” he said.
“For what we have done as a club we are delighted with what the players have achieved.
“We have over 300 players at the club from street league age to under-18’s level and this means everything to the club.
“This is all about progression for the boys, who have been in the same team from between the ages of 10 and 12 right through to now.
“We want to give them the chance to play football and the rewards will come.
“The philosophy we give the boys is to enjoy their football, but also put themselves on the map of Scottish football too.”
