YFS
Syngenta Juveniles withstood late pressure from Harmony Row YC to secure a 2-1 victory and progress into the Scottish Youth FA Cup final.
An emphatic strike on the quarter of an hour mark from Michael McQueen edged Syngenta in front before Robbie McCafferty extended the lead in the 35th minute. Lewis Carey pulled one back for Harmony Row but despite a flurry of late chances, a heroic performance from goalkeeper Allan Dickson ensured the Grangemouth team emerged victors.
The tie started at a frenetic pace and it was Syngenta who would carve out the first clear cut opportunity. Callan Stone showed vision to pick out Sean Fagan, who drilled a shot inches wide of the left post.
Minutes later Stone was again showing promise as he megged his man and drove infield. The winger found Alex Thomson with a low pass, who in turn reversed the ball into space for Flynn Gray. The forward’s strike was expertly touched past the post by Matthew Boyle.
The Dyes’ early pressure paid off in the 15th minute. Mitchell Speirs whipped in a cross, which Harmony Row failed to deal with and McQueen was on hand to bury the loose ball into the back of the net.
Row responded and were denied an equaliser by Dickson. Thomas Seagrave created space on the edge of the area and fired an effort towards goal but Dickson diverted the ball over the bar.
Syngenta were caught sleeping from the resulting corner allowing Daniel O’Neill to meet Ross McKenzie’s delivery on the volley. However, the defender could only direct the effort into the side netting.
The Dyes managed to double their lead with the last clear cut chance of the half. McCafferty’s pace saw him break through on goal and the midfielder was clinical as he rifled home to make it 2-0.