Welcome to the Uphall Diamonds 14s page.
MUSTAFA | MICHAEL | STEPHEN | CALLUM McD |
THOMAS | JAMES | BRANDON | MATTHEW |
JACK-R | RHYS | FINNY | CALUM |
| ROSS | JACK | EWAN |
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MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Many thanks to Registers of Scotland for sponsoring the team as part of their Community Benefits Group ... The Registers logo can be found on the front of our new under 14's kit.
GAME DETAILS AND OTHER NEWS
Dont forget to text, e-mail, or what ever way, your Man of the Match for each game. To be totted up for the Parents MoM at the end of season night out.
For league results, tables etc go to : http://wlayfc.org/u13.html
Training will now be as follows :
Monday 7.30Pm - 9.00pm @ Inveralmond on their Astro
Wednesday 7pm - 9.00pm @ Indoors at Broxburn Academy
SOME GENERAL POINTS FROM THE WLAYFC CODES OF CONDUCT
Understand and support the Laws of the game.
Never criticise the match supervisor / referee.
Emphasise good behaviour at all times.
Never use bad language.
Always be in control.
ADVERT - NEW BOOK ON SALE
 | First editions are still available ! The adventures of a football supporter, from a nipper in Clydebank, to a grumpy old codger in East Calder. Tales from the 70s onwards as he follows the fortunes of his chosen football club, the Rangers. With some some stories from the West Lothian Soccer Sevens and eleven-a-side game. See: www.its-off-to-the-match.co.uk or e-mail for more details using the usual address : duncan_uphall_diamonds@hotmail.com |
The book costs £11.99 and can be hand delivered post-free to anyone in the Livingston and surrounding area. Twenty percent of any procedes will be donated to the Scottish War Blinded Linburn Centre in Wilkieston.
Holmes Park gets upgraded to a 5 star stadium !
Many thanks to Campbell's dad, Robert for all the hard work in getting the new container organised, and to West Lothian Council for the funding.
NEXT GAME
SAME FIXTURE AS LAST WEEK'S POSTPONED ONE
SATURDAY 4th February League
Polbeth Vs Uphall Diamonds
9.45 for a 10.30 kick off at Limefield Park.
New Yellow kit to be worn ... to be known from now on as the yellow kit.
Go along the A71 from the Lizzie Brice roundabout, into Polbeth. Park is on the left hand side behind a small wall - if you drive past the Shell petrol station you've gone too far !
The best car parking is next to the shops on Chappleton Drive, next to the shops. 
 | XMAS NIGHT OUT | |
RESULTS
Friendly Fauldhouse Red 2 Uphall Diamonds 4 Friendly Broxburn Clots 6 Uphall Diamonds 2 League Fauldhouse 8 Uphall Diamonds 1 League Uphall Diamonds 3 Linlithgow Rose 1 League Uphall Diamonds 1 Gairdoch 7 League Uphall Diamonds 1 Murieston Blue 7 Regional Cup Uphall Diamonds 0 Tynecastle 8 League Uphall Diamonds 3 Murieston White 7 League Bo'ness 7 Uphall Diamonds 0 Scottish Cup Bonnyrigg Rose 5 Uphall Diamonds 0 County Cup Uphall Diamonds 1 Livi Hearts 4 League Livi Lions 2 Uphall Diamonds 5 League Uphall Diamonds 4 Mid Calder Colts 0 League Whitburn 9 Uphall Diamonds 2 League Uphall Diamonds 0 Livi Star 4 League Uphall Diamonds 3 Pumpherston 2 League Blackburn 2 Diamonds 0 League Diamonds 4 Livi Lions 1 League Diamonds 6 Polbeth 3 J.W. Cup Livi Star 7 Diamonds 3 League Uphall Diamonds 2 Queensferry 4
Goal Scorers
Thomas 12 Jack 10 Campbell 8 Stephen 4 Ewan 3 Ross 3 Callum McD 3 Matthew 1 Finny 1 Goalies Brandon 0 + 4 clean sheets Michael 0 + 2 clean sheet
Match Reports
14th January Jason Wardrope Cup
Livi Star 7 Uphall Diamonds 3
To follow
7th January League
Uphall Diamonds 6 Polbeth 3
I forgot to turn on my wee commentary machine today, so it’s going to have to be a match report from memory, not good when you’re an old codger!
Good to see football returning to West Lothian, this being the Diamonds first game since mid-November, Holmes Park was a bit damp and heavy, but playable ... let game commence!
The Diamonds got off to the best possible start with a goal in the second minute; Thomas nipping in to slot a shot home, the lead was then doubled in the eighth minute when Ross curled a free kick home from about twenty-five yards. More goals looked set to follow but the Diamonds were frustrated by a strong wind, blowing their through balls too long, and a well worked Polbeth offside trap. Callum McD, who had been by the visiting keeper on a couple of occasions, then scored a deserved goal. It wasn’t one way traffic however; Polbeth looked dangerous on the break, Brandon having to make a couple of decent saves.
The second half started with a sprightly Polbeth on the attack, and they scored in the early minutes. Their impressive #17 ran half the length of the park, strolled past at least three (feeble) tackles and slotted the ball home. This prompted a good spell of pressure from Polbeth who clearly fancied their chances now, they pressed forward, and kept Brandon on his toes with some shots at goal, the Diamonds were nippy on the break, but just couldn’t find the net.
Midway through the second half, the Diamonds struck to make the game hopefully safe with a 4-1 scoreline. Thomas broke free, outstripped the defence and expertly slotted a shot past the advancing keeper. Boosted, the Diamonds pushed forward and came close to another goal, the Polbeth keeper making a couple of fine saves, two one-on-ones from Jack and then Mathew were particularly impressive. A goal was only delayed though, and it came again from Thomas, bringing up his hat-trick, a good in swinging corner was bundled into the net by the Diamonds striker ... off his back it looked like, buy no matter, they all count!
The last five minutes brought a flurry of goals, Polbeth weren’t giving up and pulled one back, on the counter they punished a Diamonds defence, though it has to be said that there were only two Diamonds defenders, everyone else was upfield looking to nick a goal. Jack then scored the goal that his determined play deserved. In the final minute Polbeth scored their third when a corner was caught by the wind and curled into the net.
Good to see the football back and the cobwebs dusted away. The Diamonds weren’t at their best today, in fact they have played better and lost, but that’s football. Polbeth played well, belying their lowly league position, on this performance it won’t be long before they start to pick up league points.
19th November League
Uphall Diamonds 4 Livi Lions 1
Another slow start from the Diamonds today, Livi were presented with a chance within the first thirty seconds, a few minutes later, only a good save from Michael prevented the visitors from taking the lead. Gradually the Diamonds settled and started to play some good football, but were stung on the eleventh minute when Livi took the lead ... a long ball caught out the defence and a speedy forward took advantage. Five minutes later and the Livi lead was nearly doubled, a shot crashed off the underside of he crossbar and into Michael's grateful arms ... a real let off for the Diamonds and surely a wake up call to get the finger out!
The Diamonds did indeed wake up, and on twenty minutes they equalized, Ross swung in a fine corner, Thomas met the ball and bundled it into the net. Now playing with confidence the Diamonds pushed forward, Ross launched a free kick into the penalty box, the ball was cleared, but only to Rhys who guided a shot just past the post.
A goal was only delayed though ... Mustafa won a tackle deep in his own half; he powered forward and then slipped a perfect through ball to Thomas. He ran through and slammed the ball high into the Livi net. In the very next minute, the Diamonds advantage was doubled, Stephen picked up a loose ball in the penalty box, his snap shot clipped the near post, flew across the goalmouth and nestled into the net at the far post ... much better from the home side!
Livi came close to pulling a goal back in the final minutes of the half, their speedy forward raced goalwards, but he wasn't fast enough to outstrip Matthew who tracked back to clear the danger.
The second half started with the Diamonds concentrating from the Referees whistle, and creating chances, Ewan, Stephen and Thomas all having shots saved. Twelve minutes into the half another goal arrived, Stephen twisted and turned out wide, taking the ball from his left, to his right, and back to his left again, he eventually whipped a cross into the six-yard box. The ball fell to Matthew who took aim and passed into the far corner of the net. His first ever goal for the Diamonds!
Livi, to their credit didn't give up, and pressed for a goal of their own. The final stages of the game were dominated by a battle between that nippy Livi forward and Finny at the back, the Diamonds defender, having a terrific game won every battle with some expertly timed tackles.
12th November League
Blackburn 2 Uphall Diamonds 0
Last week against Pumpherston the Diamonds savoured a last gasp winner, this week against the league leaders Blackburn, they suffered the anguish of losing an injury time winner.
The game started with the Diamonds seemingly half asleep and bar a couple of good saves from Michael, could have conceded two goals inside the first fifty seconds! Recovering, the away side then regrouped and created some chances. A Ross free kick dropped just over the crossbar, Mathew then created an opening down the right, his driven shot cum shot was just a little too hard and high for any of the in-running forwards.
Both sides were playing some good football, which was commendable as the pitch was very heavy and bumpy, hardly conducive to the passing game. Blackburn were looking dangerous with some excellent through balls being threaded to their nippy forwards, Finny and new-Diamond Rhys were up to the task however and defended manfully. With both teams pressing chances were created at both ends, Jack and Thomas both had shots saved, Blackburn came close from a quickly taken free kick, then even closer when a shot crashed off the Diamonds bar, Michael saving the rebound. A good and even first half then ended 0-0.
The second half started, as did the first with Blackburn coming close ... the Diamonds really must learn that when the Referee blows his whistle, the game has started! Brandon in goals then made a good save.
Once again the team from Uphall regrouped and had their best spell of the game. A super pass from Calum released Thomas, he burst down the wing and fired a low cross to the near post, where it was prodded just wide. Thomas then won a crunching tackle and fired in a long range shot that had the keeper scrambling to save. Another good run from Thomas saw a curling cross swung into the six-yard box, debut Diamond, Callum McD met the cross and fired a header just past the post.
As the game drew to a close Blackburn started to press, and came close with a couple of shots. Brandon making one particularly good save. Deep into the second half, it was still 0-0, but you could sense there was a goal still in the game. With the minutes to go Ross looped a free kick just over the crossbar ... then came injury time and heartbreak for the Diamonds. An unstoppable free kick was driven home from twenty-five yards, a second goal from the kick off was incidental really as time had run out.
A good game today, congratulation to Blackburn, but a draw really would have been a fairer result ... Football, as we know, can be a cruel game sometimes.
5th November League
Uphall Diamonds 3 Pumpherston 2
Games between Uphall Diamonds and Pumpherston are normally free flowing affairs with a bundle of goals, fifteen shared between the sides in three games last season. This one however looked to be bucking that trend. Both teams had a couple of chances in the first half, Michael in the Diamonds goal making a couple of saves, Jack at the other end firing in a few shots, but in all honesty, no one was really surprised when the half ended goalless.
The second half started in the same vein, both sides huffing and puffing, but with no real end product. Then at last the deadlock was broken, and the game burst into life. Fifteen minutes into the half Pumpherston broke free; a cross was played into the Diamonds penalty box and driven into the net … a goal for the visitors, and a real test of character for the Diamonds.
The home side rolled their sleeves up and tried to battle back into the game, Calum swung a dangerous cross into the goalmouth but with no attackers running in the chance was gone, Jack then hit a shot just wide. On twenty-three minutes the Diamonds struck, Mustafa, James and Calum all combined well and a fine through ball was played into the path of Thomas, he ran through, took the ball past the advancing keeper, shrugged off a defenders last gasp challenge and slotted home the Diamonds equalizer.
The touchline cheers had barely subsided when the home side struck again, Ross swung in a dangerous corner, the ball was cleared, but only to Ewan who lashed a low drive into the net … the Diamonds score from a corner, who’d have thunk it!
It was now Pumpherston’s turn to hit back, and they did, a mere four minutes later. A needless free kick was conceded wide on the right, a good cross ball was swung to the back post, where one of the two unmarked forwards took advantage to bundle a shot home. A good goal for Pumpherston, but a bad, bad, sloppy goal for the Diamonds to concede.
A draw might have been a fair result, but the Diamonds were having none of that. They pressed forward looking for a winner. Into stoppage time they won a corner, Ross curled another good ball into the box, it was met by a Thomas header that looked to have crossed the line … the Referee disagreed however and the ball was scrambled away for another corner. Heading into the third minute of stoppage time, Jack raced to take the corner, he drove a good cross into the six-yard box, the ball was partially cleared, driven back in and cannoned out to Finny who took great delight in blasting home a last gasp dramatic winner.
A super win for the Diamonds, though it’s hard not to feel sorry for Pumpherston who deserved a point at least. Once again though, after a slow start, it was a great game between the two sides
29th October League
Uphall Diamonds 0 Livi Star 4
The less said about this one the better ... we thought things could only bet better, but they didn't ... Livi Star played well, were fully committed and passed the ball well ... the Diamonds sadly did not.
22nd October League
Whitburn 9 Uphall Diamonds 2
To win games of football you have to be determined, firm in the tackle, confident on the ball and creative going forward. Sadly Uphall Diamonds had none of those characteristics today. It was arguably their worst performance since their foundation at Under 9s. Not to take anything away from Whitburn, last years B League Champions were a very good side, big and strong, and full of running.
A good free kick from Ross, a fine chipped goal from Jack, and some brave goalkeeping from Brandon were the only real highlights of a very disappointing day.
Still ... its only a setback, with a couple of good and hard training sessions we should be ready to resume winning ways next week!
15th October League
Uphall Diamonds 4 Mid Calder Colts 0
Boosted by last week’s victory, the Diamonds started well and forced an early corner, a good in-swinging corner from Jack was cleared. Continuing to press another corner was won when James’ snap shot was deflected wide; another good in-swinging corner from Jack was then kicked away from the goal line. Another corner was won; Ross took this one and curled a cross to the far post, with no takers unfortunately.
Mid Calder were also pressing and looked dangerous with their speedy attackers, fortunately Matthew and Finny in the centre of the Diamonds defence were on their toes, limiting the Mid Calder strikers to long range attempts, all handled well by Brandon in goals.
The majority of play was towards the visitors’ goal though, with Jack in a particularly determined mood, he burst through the centre of the park, beating the off-side trap, but pulled his shot wide. Minutes later he outpaced the defence down the right, cut inside and slammed a shot across the face of goal, clipping the post as it flew wide.
On twenty minutes the Diamonds came very close to breaking the deadlock, Thomas broke free; he slipped a pass to Jack who saw his low shot deflect wide. Ross took another good corner that fell to Mathew at the far post; his shot was cleared off the line. As half time approached it was looking more and more like being goal-less, then the Diamonds struck. Jack twisted and turned in the penalty box, then rolled a perfectly weighted pass to Thomas, who wasted no time in slamming a shot into the net.
Boosted, the Diamonds pressed for a second, Ross curled a corner to the far post, it eluded everyone and looked to have crossed the line for a goal, but the Referee didn’t spot it. Jack then had another shot deflected wide, Stephen also flashing a shot past the post. The half ended with some spirited Mid Calder pressure, a couple of corners were won, one of which very nearly brought a goal, the Diamonds defence seemingly unable to clear the ball from their own six-yard box, fortunately the visiting attackers were unable to take advantage.
The second half started with chances at both ends, Stephen hooked a shot wide at one end, Brandon making a good save at the other. Seven minutes into the half saw the Diamonds second goal, Stephen broke free, he was pushed wide by the impressive Mid Calder keeper ... with the angle narrowing, a goal looked unlikely, ‘til Stephen turned and lashed a low shot into the far corner.
It was a good game to watch, a feature being the midfield battle between Ewan and the Mid Calder # 6 who was having a very good game. On fifteen minutes Ewan then grabbed centre stage; he pounced onto a loose ball into the penalty box and slammed a shot into the net for the Diamonds third. A fourth looked to have followed, Calum-L passed to Stephen who fired across goal, Jack slotted the ball home, but had his celebrations cut short by an offside whistle – it was looking like it wasn’t going to be Jack’s day.
With ten minutes remaining, Thomas came close with a clever lobbed shot that dropped just the wrong side of the crossbar. A battling Mustafa then took a grip of the game, he won a tackle and powered forward, shrugging off a couple of challenges he looked up and slipped a pass to Calum. He got to the bye-line and flashed a cross into the goalmouth, a scramble ensued, and there may have been a foul on the keeper, there was no whistle and when the ball fell to Jack, he gleefully slammed it into the net for a well deserved goal
The Diamonds squad Vs Mid Calder
8th October League
Livi Lions 2 Uphall Diamonds 5
The Diamonds kick-started their season at Deans High School. Two 11-a-side games kicked off at 11am, a couple of Soccer Sevens games were also taking place on the Astro turf; inside the main building a couple of other events were taking place. It's good to see schools now becoming part of the community and not being locked up on Friday afternoon.
The Diamonds started well and took an early lead, Calum-L chased a long ball wide, he challenged a defender, won possession, and fired a cross into the penalty box, Jack running in did the rest by driving a low shot into the net. The Diamonds didn't build on this early success however and allowed the Lions back into the game, they pressed forward and were rewarded with the equalizing goal. A high bouncing ball was not dealt with, and an alert forward slipped a shot into the net.
Both teams then probed for a goal, and on twelve minutes it came ... to the Diamonds. Ewan won the ball in midfield, took a couple of touches and then slipped an inch perfect pass through to Jack. The little Diamonds striker saw his first shot blocked by the keeper, but ever alert, Jack recovered to fire the rebound into the net. Jack then came close to creating a third goal, he latched onto a through ball, pushed wide by the keeper he kept his composure and lashed a shot, across the face of the Lions goal, a touch would have put it into the net, unfortunately there were no takers. The home side were not for lying down and they finished the first half the stronger, Michael was forced to make a couple of good saves, Thomas also saving the Diamonds with one of his trademark last gasp, and perfectly timed penalty box tackles.
The second half started with the home side on top, scoring in the first few minutes. A cross ball eluded the Diamonds defence and was driven home. Once again both teams probed for an opening, Thomas, now playing up front came close when a snap shot grazed the outside of a post, at the other end Brandon had to be alert to save. The next goal was going to be important, and it fell to the visitors. Ross clipped a free kick into the penalty box, Thomas, timing his run perfectly beat the offside trap and slotted home. Four minutes later the Diamonds struck again, with a well worked goal. James knocked a pass forward, Thomas and Jack combined well and the ball was slipped to Ewan, he looked up, took a few steps forward and slipped a low shot into the corner of the net.
To their credit, Livi Lions kept their heads up and pressed hard to get back into the game, Brandon had to be sharpish a couple of times to get off his line to smother through balls. In fact, it was one of these saves that brought about the games final goal. The Big Diamonds keeper clutched the ball and launched a mighty kick up the park, Thomas read the flight of the ball, followed it, allowed it one bounce and then lobbed a shot high into the net. Route one perhaps, but a fine goal all the same.
A good game today, played on a good surface in miserable wet weather ... summer is over!
3rd September League
Uphall Diamonds 0 Tynecastle 8
The Diamonds simply committed football suicide today, with six and a half minutes on the clock it was 0-0, three and a half minutes later Tynecastle were four goals ahead. Once again, football is an easy game when the oposition let you play, The Diamonds let a very good Tynecastle play and paid the price.
30th August League
Uphall Diamonds 1 Murieston Blue 7
A game of two halfs for the Diamonds.
The first half saw the Diamonds playing well and competing well with Murieston, two goals down they battled back into the game, a penalty was missed, Jack then curled a free kick into the top corner of the net. It looked so promising ...
But the Diamonds just didn't turn up for the second half, Murieston pretty well ran the show and scored a further five times.
An 8/10 first half ... a 2/10 second half.
27th August League
Uphall Diamonds 1 Gairdoch 7
After the euphoria of Tuesday, the Diamonds were looking for another moral boosting victory; unfortunately they came back down to earth with a big bump, and a disappointing performance.
The first twenty minutes were goalless, Gairdoch looked the more likely side to score, but the Diamonds were always dangerous on the break and gave the visitors problems. The visitors scored on the twenty-fifth minute and sadly an old Diamonds failing surfaced, the heads went down, the challenges failed and Gairdoch scored a further three goals. Football is an easy game when the opposition let you play, for the final ten minutes of the half, the Diamonds just let Gairdoch play.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Diamonds unable to reproduce their good football from midweek. Gairdoch are a good passing side and took advantage to score another three times. Jack, once again chasing every lost cause nicked a goal back towards the end.
Poor from the Diamonds today, there were players missing, players were ill and players were injured, but that still doesn't really excuse a lackluster performance.
23rd August League
Uphall Diamonds 3 Linlithgow Rose 1
The Diamonds started well and came close in the very first minute when Stephen flashed a ball across the face of the Linlithgow goal, no takers unfortunately for the great chance. Pressing hard, Ewan B won a 50:50 challenge, passed to Jack who swung a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, Thomas lurking at the far post glanced his header wide. The home side were playing well and a goal looked likely to come ...
A goal did come, but ironically, not from a slick passing move, but route #1. Brandon launched a clearance up the pitch, it caught out the Linlithgow defence and bounced goalwardfs, Thomas turned, flicked the ball with his head, controlled it and slotted a shot into the corner of the net. Route #1 perhaps, but still some wonderful skill to complete the move.
On nineteen minutes the lead was doubled, Jack and Stephen combined and a cross knocked into the penalty box, Campbell ran in to meet it and sidefooted a shot into the net. A minute later the home side struck again. Ewan B won jet another crunching tackle, the ball broke to the edge of the penalty box, Calum was eying up a shot but was beaten to the punch by Campbell who powered a shot into the top corner of the net.
With their tails up the Diamonds pressed hard and came close again, Jack zipped into the penalty box, he looked set to score but was thwarted by a wonderful sliding tackle from a Linlithgow tackle. Miss-timed it would have been a penalty and red card ... but it was perfectly executed.
The second hald started, as the first ended, with the Diamonds attacking. Ewan B hooked a shot wide, Jack was then stopped a good goalkeepers save. Gradually though, and to their credit, Linlithgow battled back into the game, forcing the Diamonds onto the back foot. With six minutes remaining they scored from a long range free kick .. then with a couple of minutes to go they nearly set up a grandstand finish when they scored again, the goal however rulled out - correctly - for offside.
A good game, well played by Linlithgow who showed a fine never say die spirit, but the evening belonged to the team from Uphall ...
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The Diamonds were sparkling!20th August League
Fauldhouse 8 Uphall Diamonds 1
Not the easiest of starts to the league campaign, playing Fauldhouse who last year won the League, League Cup, County Cup, Regional Cup, Scottish Cup, the Boat Race, the Grand National and the Tour de-France.
The Diamonds would have to be at their best and unfortunately got off to the worst possible start when a cross ball swerved wickedly and swung in at the back post to give the home team a first minute lead. That goal was a fluke, the following three in the next ten minutes were however entirely preventable and something the Diamonds will have to look at. You just can't give goals away when playing good sides. To be fair, the Diamonds then settled into the game and played some decent football, never really troubling Fauldhouse, but keeping them on their toes.
The second half started with the Diamonds playing well, actually forcing Fauldhouse onto the back foot, Jack coming close to a goal when his cross, come shot, crashed off the corner of post and bar. Stung by that, Fauldhouse upped their game and took a grip of the game, scoring a further four. The Diamonds never gave up though and scored towards the end of the game, Jack battling hard as ever knocking the ball home.
A defeat for the Diamonds, but a huge improvement on the previous performances against Fauldhouse. Last year they turned up and won at a canter, today they had to work for their win.
Turn into this road, on the right hand side when coming from Livingston.