Tynie freeze out Strollers after ref's controversial decision
IAN MACKAY
A CONTROVERSIAL extra-time decision by the referee of the under-13 Polar Foods Cup effectively ended Civil Service Youth's hopes of beating Tynecastle Colts in the final at Paties Road.
With the teams locked together at 1-1 at the end of normal time and the match in the balance, it was a cruel blow to CS Youth's hopes when referee Ian Parsons awarded a penalty to Tynecastle in the first half of extra time.
He then stunned everyone by red-carding CS Youth goalkeeper, Steven Taylor, for the challenge on Tynecastle No.9, Andrew Jones, that led to the spot-kick award.
In a game completely devoid of any malice or bad behaviour, it seemed harsh as there appeared to be very little contact in the challenge.
From the resultant spot-kick, Jones stuck the ball away brilliantly to put his side 2-1 in front. Tynecastle, pictured right, went on to make it 3-1 with a cracking goal from Connor Watt.
CS Youth put in a great finishing burst but it was not to be their night.
In normal time, Tynecastle created more chances but all they had to show for their efforts was a solitary goal in the first half from Ritchie Elder.
Despite having much less possession in the first half, CS Youth created several good openings, possibly a correct reflection on the balance of play, but it was CS Youth who stepped up their workrate in the second period and they got back on level terms with a super strike from Craig Lamb in the sixth minute of the second half.
This good young player held off a Tynecastle defender to send a well-placed shot wide of opposition keeper Alan Andrews.
There were lots more chances at both ends in the time remaining with Tynecastle lifting their game after being pegged back to 1-1.
Taylor made a great save to deny Tynecastle another goal then followed up with another superb save from Robert Wood as the pace of the game increased.
Despite all the effort from these honest young players, the score was still 1-1 at the close of play. This was not a tough game, more a meeting of two young sides learning to play the game in a very sportsmanlike manner. In the light of that pleasant attitude shown by both teams and their respective coaches, it was all the more upsetting to see a player red-carded.
Tynecastle Colts: Alan Andrews, Lyle Finnie, Laurie Preston, Ben McKinnon, Michael McFarlane, John Robertson, Demitris Stevens, Robert Wood, Andrew Jones, Jamie Pyper, Steven Brown, Conner Watt, Andrew Mercer, Ritchie Elder.
Civil Service Youth: Steven Black, Jordan Butler, Brad McKay, Calum Burns, Grant Fraser, Liam O'Donnell, Craig Sinclair, Ciaran Mcguire, David Ritchie, Craig Lamb, Connor Preston, Greg Wilson, Stephen Taylor, Tinashe Mukundwa, David Watson, Christopher Loch.
Referee: Ian Parsons. Assistants: Peter Rowan, Brian Walker.
Taken from the Scotsman
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