Midlothian Walking Footballers cruised into the quarter finals of the inaugural Browns European invitation Tournament in Villamoura Portugal yesterday despite some last minute controversial rule changes. There was astonishment at the start of the morning round of games when it was announced that the rules were to be changed and that players were limited to three touches of the football. Midlothian were drawn in a group with teams from Farnham and Portugal and a local team of ex pats lead by former professional and England Under 21 defender Kevin Kilcline. Each of the invited teams were winners in regional competitions.
The Lothian team won 5-1 in the first match then won their next two games by one goal to nil.  The final game of the afternoon involved the Midlothian side and the undefeated Villmoura outfit lead by the charismatic Kevin Kilkline who won the FA Cup with Coventry City in 1987 before joining Newcastle United.
The game ended goalless with Midlothian dominating throughout. Both teams made it through as section winners and runners up. The trophy will be settled this afternoon.  The Lothian side will face the hosting Portugese side in an intriguing quarter final tie and the  losing team will automatically qualify for the knockout stages of the Consolation Plate. Unfortunately three Midlothian players in the eight man squad picked up knocks which cast doubt over their ability to continue. The three will undergo fitness tests in the morning.
Midlothian starting five,
Glenn Milne, Jim Shepherd, Jim Hall, Ali Patterson, Stevie McDonald, subs Kenny McDonald, Vivian Wallace, Linda Milne. All players participated with the goals shared by Jim Hall 2, Ali Patterson, Jim Shepherd, Stevie McDonald and Kenny McDonald.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
