Hutchison Vale beat their Colts after gripping Tynecastle final

HUTCHISON Vale fans were out in force at Tynecastle for the under-15 Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs Cup final - with the club supplying both teams in what was a classic finish to one of the major domestic cup events in this age group in the Eastern Region Youth FA.

It was a raucous and noisy night with both sets of supporters enjoying the friendly rivalry, while the commitment and sportsmanship of both teams on the pitch ensured this was a great finale to this particular cup event, with John Hunter among the big turnout as the official representative of the Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs.

The high standard of skills and good behaviour set by the players of both sides continued from top-class match official Mike Smith's whistle to start the game right through to extra time and the almost inevitable penalty decider.

These teams covered every inch of the huge pitch and that, in turn, ensured this was a wonderful game of football at this level.

Colts had the better of the first half with Vale coach, Derek McCall, admitting: "After a bad first-half, we changed things for the start of the second and we played much better."

Colts skipper, Harry McGregor, who had a terrific game, was involved in almost every attacking move on the Vale goal in the first stage of the game, with wonderful in-swinging corners and thunderous free-kicks from his left foot.

An indication of how well the Colts started this game came in the 18th minute when Rees Smith fired home a brilliant low shot past opposing keeper, Shaun Nicol, from the left of the 18-yard box after a tremendous defence-splitting cross-ball from the right.

Smith should have made it 2-0 for Colts and the young striker covered his head with his jersey in dismay and frustration after knocking the ball wide of an empty net following a huge punt into the Vale goalmouth left him totally in the clear.

The Vale defence closed ranks after that scare and there were no more goals in an action-packed first half, full of good football and goalmouth incidents - at both ends.

Big Steven Lynch led the Vale charge after the break, with lung-bursting runs out of defence with the ball to create problems for the Colts excellently-organised rear-guard.

And it was Lynch who deservedly got Vale back on level terms when he outjumped the Colts defence to head home a cross to make it 1-1 and set up a quite wonderful finish to a game that was a pleasure to watch.

The rising level of excitement among the fans was picked up by the young players on the pitch and the game just got better and better. Shots crashed in at both ends of the pitch to test respective keepers Nicol and Ryan Duffy.

Control of the game swung first one way then the other and it was no surprise at all when it went to extra time with the sides locked at 1-1. It was anything but dull from then on, with Vale arguably the more dangerous-looking side with Michael Kirkland blazing over the bar from a good position to leave the Vale fans in the crowd groaning in disbelief.

At the other end, a wonderful break up the right from Callum Manson resulted in a tremendous finishing shot that was equally brilliantly saved by Nicol to send the game into a penalty decider.

No-one left the Hearts FC stadium as the young players were put through what was the final test of this wonderful game.

Vale proved to be more accomplished than the Colts outfit in this tension-filled final act, with Steven Lynch, Darren Smith, Michael Kirkland and Callum MacFarlane all on target from the spot, while Colts managed to score only twice, from Craig Spalding and Norman Lawson, to leave Vale the winners by 4-2.

Whatever disappointment the Colts players felt at the finish of this game should be equated with their wonderful combined efforts in a game that was a thriller from beginning to end.

Vale always had a "presence" on the pitch, but it was their confidence and expertise in scoring from the penalty spot that proved to be the crucial factor that allowed their skipper, Chris Taylor, to collect the silverware from John Hunter.

Hutchison Vale: Shaun Nicol, Steven Togneri, Steven Harper, Steven Lynch, Sam Young, William Bremner, Darren Smith, David Menzies, Michael Kirkland, Cameron Mitchell, Callum MacFarlane, Chris Taylor, George Gibson, Callum French, Steven Dignan, Craig Bald.

Hutchison Vale Colts: Ryan Duffy, Mark Law, Ross Shields, Callum Manson, Craig Spalding, Bernie Matthews, Jason Hunter, Harry McGregor, Norman Lawson, Claye Thomson, Rees Smith, Keir Blaikie, Craig Thomson, Gary Hamilton.

Referee: Mike Smith.

Taken from the Scotsman