In an enthralling encounter at St John Ogilvie High School on 30 August 2025, Sauchie Juniors 2011 faced off against Blantyre Celtics YFC in a league home match that ended in a 4-7 defeat for the home side. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, setting the stage for a high-scoring affair that would keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Sauchie Juniors lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Jamie Mitchell took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of James Edwards on the right, Kornel Baczynski on the left, and central defenders Logan Squair and Kacper Serafin. In midfield, Wiktor Zylowski and Kaden Dunnachie operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Findlay Russell on the right, Jacob McQuillan on the left, and Oliver Wilson in the central attacking midfield role, with Olly Moore leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for the match included Lewis Baillie and Logan Watt.
The match began with a flurry of action as Kacper Serafin made an early interception to thwart Blantyre's attacking intentions. However, just moments later, the visitors struck first, scoring a goal within the first minute, quickly followed by another in the second minute due to a defensive mistake from Sauchie. The home side found themselves two goals down before they could settle into the game.
In the third minute, Oliver Wilson made a crucial clearance to prevent further damage, while James Edwards showcased his defensive prowess with a well-timed tackle in the seventh minute, successfully preventing a chance for the opposition. Serafin then made a couple of key long passes, creating opportunities for his teammates, demonstrating his ability to transition play effectively.
Jamie Mitchell, the Sauchie goalkeeper, was called into action early, making a catch in the ninth minute and again in the eleventh minute, where he displayed his composure under pressure. However, the match took a turn for the worse when Findlay Russell received a yellow card for dissent shortly after, and a penalty was awarded to Blantyre in the twelfth minute, which they converted to extend their lead. The visitors continued their dominance, scoring again in the fourteenth and seventeenth minutes, leaving Sauchie Juniors trailing 0-4.
Sauchie Juniors made their first substitution in the eighteenth minute, bringing on Lewis Baillie for Olly Moore. Despite the scoreline, the home side began to find their rhythm, with Wiktor Zylowski making a clearance in the twenty-sixth minute and Findlay Russell intercepting a dangerous pass shortly after.
In the thirty-fourth minute, Zylowski finally got Sauchie on the scoresheet, tapping in a goal from a short pass by Jacob McQuillan. Just a minute later, Olly Moore scored a stunning long-range goal, assisted by McQuillan again, bringing the score to 2-4 and igniting hopes of a comeback.
However, Blantyre responded swiftly, scoring their fifth goal in the thirty-ninth minute, leaving Sauchie with a mountain to climb as they headed into half-time at 2-5 down.
The second half commenced with Sauchie looking to regroup, but they faced an uphill battle. Lewis Baillie made a vital tackle in the forty-third minute, preventing a clear chance for Blantyre. Logan Watt, who came on in the twenty-eighth minute, made an interception shortly after the break, showcasing the impact of the substitutions.
Jacob McQuillan had a chance to score in the forty-sixth minute, but his attempt was saved. As the match progressed, Jamie Mitchell continued to impress with a series of saves, including a full-stretch save in the fifty-ninth minute.
The match saw more yellow cards, with Oliver Wilson receiving one for a bad tackle in the fifty-sixth minute, followed by James Edwards for offensive language in the sixty-third minute. Despite the mounting pressure, Sauchie managed to score again in the seventy-fifth minute when Kornel Baczynski found the net with a long-range strike, assisted by Oliver Wilson, narrowing the deficit to 3-6.
However, Blantyre responded with a goal in the seventy-second minute, extending their lead once more. The match saw further substitutions, with Oliver Wilson and James Edwards coming off for tactical reasons, and the home side continued to fight back.
Findlay Russell scored a late goal in the eighty-third minute, heading in from a free kick delivered by Wiktor Zylowski, but it was too little too late as the final whistle blew, confirming a 4-7 defeat for Sauchie Juniors.
Despite the loss, Logan Squair was recognised for his outstanding performance, earning the title of Player of the Match. The game showcased the resilience of Sauchie Juniors, who will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next fixture.
