A Midlothian team of Midnight League footballers won praise for their footballing skills, after representing Scotland in the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s Home Internationals against sides from England and Wales.

The Newbattle boys only lost one of their round robin matches, but their record of two wins, and two draws, and that one loss, just failed to see them through to the final and they ended up in third place.

Scotland’s other team in the tri-nation competition, the Scottish Thistles from Musselburgh in East Lothian, finished fifth.

Keith Wright, the Scottish FA’s Football Development Officer for Midlothian, said: “Representing Scotland was a real honour for the Newbattle lads, and they played some great football.

“They had a big challenge on their hands because the lads from the other two nations were all a year older, but they thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend, and want to thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for laying on a fantastic weekend.

Tom McAughtrie, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “I was immensely proud of the Scottish lads who acquitted themselves fantastically well both on and off the pitch.

“They were a credit to Scotland and to their local leagues”.

After the tournament the lads took in the Sunderland - Aston Villa premiership match at the Stadium of Light.