Juniors

Sunday 27th November

Gala Fairydean 17s 5 Kelso 17s 0
 
The gale force winds and the bottomless pitch meant that there was never going to be any football played but both teams gave it their all. Kelso played with the wind in the first half and couldn't take advantage and failed to score and the teams went in level at the break. Gala did take advantage in the 2nd half aided by some shocking defending and they went on to score 5 unanswered goals. Kelso keeper Clark Skeldon also made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the score down.

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Kelso 13s 2 Eyemouth 13s 5

Despite a spirited display Kelso 13s reached the winter break with a defeat as they went down 5 -2 to an excellent Eyemouth team. Early play was mainly in the Kelso half but against the run of play the homesters went ahead when the excellent Liam Herdman crossed to the far post for Connor Gillan to bravely nod home despite his momentum taking his head onto the post as well. After this the game became more of an even contest with play raging from end to end. The third was to finish even however as Eyemouth got the equaliser their overall play deserved.
Eyemouth came out in determined fashion after the first break and within 7 minutes had gone into a 4 – 1 lead despite sterling work in the Kelso goal from Peter Brunton. After this initial flourish the game settled down again with Kelso coming more into it and pushing hard to reduce the leeway only to find the Eyemouth rearguard in resolute mood.
In the final third Kelso continued to press forward and finally got the breakthrough they deserved when Ryan Angus lashed the ball home from 10 yards. Shortly after that the hardworking Oliver Pickford had to be replaced after a slightly late tackle left him unable to continue. Kelso continued to look to reduce the deficit but were undone when an Eyemouth breakaway produced a goal with the last kick of the game.
Man of the Match for Kelso was right back Alistair Macfarlane who hardly put a foot wrong at the back all game and pushed forward to good effect whenever he had the opportunity.

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Sunday 13th November

Kelso 17s 3 Peebles 17s 2
 
Kelso started the better and were 3-0 up after 30 mins. 2 goals from Stevie Mitchell and the other from Craig Logan but it was the inspirational Kris Tait that was causing Peebles all the problems, and he was involved in all the goals. Kelso never really got going in the 2nd half, and it was late on when Peebles scored their 2 goals, but the home team held on to keep their unbeaten run going.

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AM United 13s 1 Kelso 13s 3

Kelso 13s got back on track with a good all round team display against AM United at Ancrum. Right from the kick-off they took the game to AM with captain Joe Purves and Ryan Angus on the wings causing the home defence no end of problems with their attacking forays. When the goal game however it was from perhaps an unlikely source as Lewis Elliot turned and twisted his way into the box past three defenders only to be tripped up by a trailing leg. Lewis duly dusted himself down to give the keeper no chance with a well struck penalty. Greg Gillie then engineered a great chance for himself with a lovely turn and quick feet but the AM keeper was equal to the task turning his well struck shot round the post.
At the other end the Kelso defence was in fine form with Finlay Hogg and Oliver Pickford mopping up everything that was thrown at them.

Turning round one up Kelso were quickly back on the attack and Ross Mackay and Kieran Mckillop had taken over the mantle of terrorising the home full backs to great effect. The second goal was to come from hesitancy in the home defence when a ball seemed to strike an AM arm in the box they stopped but Kelso played to the whistle and the strong running Connor Gillan took full advantage to take the ball round the keeper before finishing from a tight angle.
Shortly after it was three when after concerted pressure the ball was half-cleared but fell to Kieran Fleming at the edge of the box. His first touch put him onto his favoured left foot to allow him to dispatch an unstoppable shot into the top left hand side of the goal.

As usual the game opened up somewhat in the final third of the match as both teams pushed for goals. There were close calls at both ends before AM United pulled one back with almost the last kick of the ball to make the final result AM United 1 Kelso 3.

For once Man of the Match was an easy pick as, while there was no weaknesses in the 16 who played; the hard working, Liam Herdman really stood out with his strong running in both attack and defence. He also used the ball to great effect and showed a terrific awareness of where to be on the pitch.

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Sunday 6th November

Duns 17s 1 Kelso 17s 2
 
Kelso kept the winning run going after a hard fought win against Duns. It was an even game throughout but it was the home team that took the lead when Kelso failed to clear a goalmouth scramble. Kelso equalised after some good work from Sam Cuthers on the right wing set up Craig Logan to squeeze it home. The 2nd half started fairly even but it was Kelso that went in front when Kris Tait swivelled to volley home from the edge of the box. Kelso went on to miss a few chances to finish the game but couldn`t find the back of the net. Duns were always a threat but couldn`t get past the Kelso defence who held on to claim the 3 points.

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Kelso 13s 2 Selkirk 13s 3

This was a close game throughout with both teams struggling to break down tight defences and chances at a premium. Kelso had most of the territorial advantage in the opening third but on the few occasions they got through they found the Selkirk keeper in good form. By contrast Ross Gillie has little to do in the home nets.
This all changed in the middle third as Selkirk went into the lead with a well taken goal. Kelso fought well to get back into the game and eventually were rewarded when Connor Gillan shook off his markers and made great progress down the right before squaring across goal for Robbie Knox to smash the ball home from close range. Unfortunately Kelso seemed to think the hard work was over and were immediately undone when a good passing move saw Selkirk restore their lead. Worse was to come when with the last kick of the third Selkirk increased their advantage. Kelso played their most determined football of the game in the last third with Liam Herdman and Ryan Angus in particular doing their best to get the team back into things.
In the end however all they had to show for it was a great finish from the ever determined Connor Gillan as they went down by the odd goal in five.
Best for the home team were Alistair Macfarlane who did well in an unfamiliar left back position and Man of the Match Cameron Rendall – Reid who again had a super match and cut out just about everything that came his way. While both Ross Gillie and Kieran Fleming did very well as deputy goalies.

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Sunday 30th October

Kelso 13s 5 Lauder 13s 3

Kelso 13s kept up their winning ways with a hard fought victory over a Lauder team supplemented by some AM United players (both Lauder and AM United teams struggling for numbers). As in the previous week it was the opening third where Kelso did the damage. They opened the scoring through the rampaging Connor Gillan who didn’t give the Lauder defence a moments peace during his time on the pitch. At this point the game was quite even but a wind assisted long range effort from Ross Mackay caught out the away keeper and bounced over his head for number two. Sensing blood the home team now pressed forward at every opportunity and quick feet and a neat finish from Kieran McKillop saw him score his first goal of the season, quickly followed by a further Gillan strike and a Lauder counter.
The second and third thirds were much tighter affairs with Lauder shading the second by a goal to nil and honours even at one each in the last. The Kelso goal followed a great run from Gillan that took him away from three defenders, but despite being on a hat –trick, he looked up to unselfishly square the ball across goal for Robbie Knox who had made a great supporting run and finished with aplomb.
Once again this was a good all round performance with Captain Alistair Macfarlane leading very much by example at the back where Finlay Hogg also made a confident return.
Much of the good work from Kelso however came from central midfield with Man of the Match Kieran Fleming, Joe Purves and Ryan Angus all putting in tireless displays in supporting the attack; as well as preventing Lauder from making the progress they desired.

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Saturday 29th October

Kelso 9s 5 Greenlaw 9s 3

The 9s squad rotation system is finally paying off, with this hard-fought win over a skillful and tireless Greenlaw side benefitting from less substitutions during the game, allowing the players to settle into position and concentrate on the game. Goals from Oscar Onley (2), Archie Mowat, Owen Renton and Matthew Burton, supported by fantastic defending from Ross McIntee and Finn McEwan in particular, saw the boys taste victory after a short of run of close defeats. Well done all!

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Sunday 23rd October

Gala 13s 1 Kelso 13s 7

This was a superb team performance with all 16 players contributing to what was undoubtedly the best performance this group of players have delivered in their time together.
From the kick-off they took the game to Gala with tenacious and determined play in midfield, particularly from Kieran Fleming, and real penetration from the front two of Robbie Knox and Connor Gillan.
This pairing were well supported on the wings by Ross Mackay and James de-Bolle and it was the latter who got the breakthrough goal smashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.
Kelso continued to press at every opportunity but found the Gala goalkeeper on top form. The pressure however eventually told with four goals in rapid succession towards the end of the first twenty. A brace each for the deadly duo of Gillan and Knox.
Gala came out in more determined fashion but found the Kelso defence marshalled by Captain Gordon Fleming (who just pipped his defensive partner Cameron Rendall Reid for Man of the Match) in resolute mood. Further goals by the industrious Liam Herdman, covering every inch of grass as always, and Knox who completed a well deserved hat-trick saw the away team edge further ahead.
Understandably perhaps Gala came back into it in the final third of the game but with Alistair Macfarlane and Oliver Pickford to the fore their attacks were to little avail until a late shot finally gave them the consolation goal that their play deserved.

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Hawick 17s 1 Kelso 17s 2

There wasn't much between these 2 teams in a game played in less than ideal conditions. Long grass and muddy underfoot meant that there was never going to be a lot of good football played, but both teams tried their hearts out and put in a hell of a shift. Hawick started the better and took the lead after approximately 20 minutes. Kelso upped their workrate and started to get into the game, and levelled when Matt Laidler scored from the penalty after Craig Logan was upended by the Hawick goalie. Both teams were giving their all but it was Kelso who got the winner when Ryan Paterson then Laidler set up Kris Tait to cooly slot home. Well done to the ref for having a good game and to both teams for an entertaining game in difficult conditions.

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Sunday 16th October

Kelso 17s 3 Gala Fairydean 17s 0

Kelso ended Gala's unbeaten start to the season with a dominant display. Craig Logan put Kelso ahead midway through the first half with a stunning strike from 25 yards. The home team kept on pressing without really creating too many good chances but Gala were always in the game and one goal was never going to be enough. Into the 2nd half, another strike from Logan eased the home team nerves then Sam Cuthers slammed home to complete the scoring.

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Sunday 2nd October

Kelso 13s 4 Hawick 13s 1

This match was in doubt following heavy overnight rain that continued throughout setting the pitch up!
Thankfully however both teams were keen to proceed and a very entertaining match was watched by a surprisingly good crowd considering the weather. Hawick were first to threaten but found the Kelso defence in a miserly mood with Ross Gillie in particular all over the pitch making tackle after tackle. With Kieran Fleming and Ryan Angus starting to exert their influence in midfield Kelso gradually started to take a grip on proceedings and took the lead through a well taken James de-Bolle strike midway through the third. The second third was more evenly matched and while Kelso probably shaded territorial advantage it was Hawick who scored after an excellent passing move was dispatched into the bottom corner of the net giving keeper Peter Brunton. Both teams came out for the last third looking for the win.
Good work in midfield from Joe Purves and Connor Gillan led to the latter threading a defence splitting pass through to James de-Bolle who outstripped the Hawick defence before expertly dispatching his shot across the keeper into the bottom corner. Fife minutes later it was déjà vu as the same combination led to a very similar finish, this time from even longer range, as de-Bolle secured his hat-trick.
Man of the Match was, by now, a foregone conclusion but just in case de-Bolle was on hand to lash in his, and his teams, forth goal after the ball rebounded out to him some ten yards from goal. This was far from a one man show however and all the Kelso players showed a great appetite for the game (now, if only we can translate that to training!).

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Sunday 18th September

Eyemouth 13s 5-2 Kelso 13s

On a tight pitch Kelso got off to a slow start as the defence, in particular, gave Eyemouth far too much room and a little bit too much respect. The first period ended with Eyemouth two goals to the good but it could easily have been more but for their poor finishing. Kelso improved in the second period as Alistair Macfarlane made a difference on the right and the midfield started to get more to grips with their opponents. Some determined play and two well taken goals by Robbie Knox were however cancelled out by a further two Eyemouth
goals. Kelso attacked well in the final third period but were still guilty of not closing down quickly enough in their own half and were eventually picked off by a fifth and deciding goal by Eyemouth.
Man of the Match for Kelso was Robbie Knox.

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Sunday 11th September

Kelso 13s 5-1 AM United 13s

The first home game of the season saw an excellent 5 – 1 win for the homesters against newly formed AM United (formerly Melrose and Ancrum 7 a-side teams). The scoreline however does not reflect the closeness of the match as AM gave as good as they got for much of the match with former Kelso player Michael Cocks proving a real thorn in the Kelso side. Kelso goals came from Connor Gillan, Greg Gillie, Liam Herdman, James De Bolle and a great solo effort from Ross Mackay. It was however a day as much about the Kelso defence as it was the forwards with Ross Gillie, Cameron Rendall Reid, Oliver Pickford, Finlay Hogg and Gordon Fleming all performing heroics at times in the match. Man of the Match however was undoubtedly the man with the gloves as Peter Brunton probably turned in his best ever display between the posts for Kelso.

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Sunday 4th September

Selkirk 13s 3-6 Kelso 13s

The new Under 13s kicked off their season with a visit to Selkirk. Both teams took a time to adapt to the rigors of eleven a-side play, but it was Selkirk who broke the deadlock with a penalty mid-way through the first half. Kelso came back strongly however and the impressive Connor Gillan restored parity before the break with a well taken goal. The second period was more open and Kelso gradually began to get control with James De Bolle and Joe Robertson providing a bit more width to the game. A further goal from Man of the Match Gillan and strikes from Greg Gillie, Liam Herdman and Ryan Angus plus an unfortunate own goal eventually saw Kelso through to a well earned 6 – 3 victory.

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Sunday 11th September

Peebles 17s 1-0 Kelso 17s

Kelso tasted defeat after a very poor performance up at Peebles on Sunday. They never really got going and huffed and puffed their way through the 80 minutes. Kelso did create 2 or 3 good chances but they were squandered with some poor finishing and at the other end, Skeldon was never really troubled in the Kelso goal. A 10 minute spell just after halftime, led by the rampant Kris Tait, was the only time that Kelso really dominated, but they couldn't hit the back of the net. Peebles pinched it near the end when they humped the ball up the park and Kelso defence made a right hash of it, leaving the Peebles guy to lob Skeldon to secure the 3 points. No game this weekend for the 17s so it gives them time for reflection!!

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Sunday 4th September

Kelso 17s 3-3 Hawick 17s

Not too bad a start to the season for Kelso. They started badly and had a poor 1st half, and were 2-0 down at the break. A couple of changes at the break seemed to make a difference when Sam Cuthers scored, then Matt Laidler made it all square from the spot after Stevie Mitchell was fouled. It was going a lot better for Kelso but then Hawick sneaked in front again. Duncan Rennie got Kelso level soon after but they weren't able to capitalise from there. Both teams ran out of steam near the end and a draw was a fair result. Well done to both.

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Saturday 3rd September

Kelso 9s v Melrose 9s

The 9s kicked off this new set of fixtures with a home tie against Melrose yesterday. After going behind during a sluggish start, they managed to put together some good passing moves and scored some great goals. They eventually sneaked the game near the end with Travis Woodhead getting the winner with the second of his well-deserved brace of goals.