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The freezing fog lingering over Almondvale Stadium prior to the commencement of the first of three West Lothian County Cup Finals on Sunday, did not suggest that the weather was going to be any kinder to the players and spectators than it was the day before when deluge after deluge disrupted the first day of County Cup Finals.

Despite the depressing ‘summer’ weather prompting many to don winter garments whilst imbibing something to offset the effects of the cold, Bo’ness United and Coltswood Colts served up a final that was full of commitment from both sets of players.

Bo’Ness began the match with a rather offensive 3-5-2 formation with Euan Archibald and Finlay Carlin operating as wingbacks. United’s intense pressing was also proving fruitful in the opening stages. Fashioning the first chance on 3 minutes, Ross Brown put through fellow Bo’Ness forward Stuart McIntyre on goal with only Spencer Gallagher in the Coltswood goal to beat. McIntyre’s shot produced a fine save from Gallagher to push the ball over the bar and minutes later McIntyre put a header from a James Rintoul corner over the bar.

A back injury sustained by Coltswood’s number 11 Robbie O’Toole in a challenge which the wet surface seemed to have played its part in, led to Luke Murphy entering the fray to replace the injured O’Toole. Ironically the delay seemed to help settle Colts and allowed the likes of the impressive Lewis Watt to see more of the ball. However, if it were not for both Coltswood centre backs combining to intercept Rhys Stuart’s through ball for the lively Stuart McIntyre, the latter may have improved upon his earlier one-on-one encounter.

Substitutions by both sides near the end of the break began to stifle the fluency that was gradually entering the game. Coltswood also decided to alter their 4-4-2 formation to match up exactly to their counterparts 3-5-2. However, both sides still struggled in creating definitive chances. On 33 minutes a snap-shot by Coltswood’s Conlon Clark from just inside the box flew straight into the grateful arms of Cameron Wilson before a frantic passage of end to end play materialised in the lead-up to the half-time whistle.

Half Time: Bo’Ness United 0-0 Coltswood Colts

The interval had clearly given the Coltswood coaching team some time to debate formation options as when the teams re-emerged Coltswood had reverted to their original 4-4-2 shape. Despite Coltswood’s formation tinkering, Bo’Ness still seemed dangerous on the counter with captain Connor Weir’s ambitious long-range strike keeping Spencer Gallagher alert for the Colts.

Persistent running by Lewis Watt down the Coltswood left allowed teammate Darren McLeish to get a shot away that yielded a save and consequently a corner from which Coltswood captain Rhys Price took advantage of as he rose well at the near-post to power a header from close-range to open the scoring after 42 minutes.

Coltswood’s goal seven minutes into the second half seemed to energise Bo’Ness once more. United thought they had a goal after a speculative cross was headed into the net but the assistant’s flag was raised as soon as the ball was sent into the box. On 50 minutes a great saving tackle from Colts’s Rhys Price prevented his Bo’Ness namesake Rhys Stuart from having a guilt edge chance in front of goal after a marauding run down the right by Stuart McIntyre.

Rhys Price almost doubled his tally for the day minutes later as he attempted to prod home his side’s second following a stramash in the Bo’Ness penalty area caused by Darren McLeish’s inviting free-kick. At the other end, Bo’Ness became increasingly frustrated. Rhys Stuart rose well to meet a perfectly executed free-kick delivery by Connor Weir but the Bo’Ness winger’s header landed on the roof of the net. With 5 minutes remaining a rather innocuous incident led to a Bo’Ness free-kick which centre back Kristian French hit with ferocity from 30 yards, causing Spencer Gallagher to improvise with a low save using his knees.

With the game in added time, Colts applied the finishing blow to Bo’Ness’s cup hopes. Bo’Ness’s Lewis Connelly appeared to misjudge a tackle on his opposite number Darren McLeish inside the Bo’Ness box. As referee Gordon McVicar pointed to the spot, McLeish dusted himself off and stepped up to expertly place the penalty into the left-hand corner of the net beyond Wilson who had guessed the right way.

Coltswood perhaps demonstrated a marginally more composed attitude than their opponents that helped their cause in a game that was full of battling displays-none more so than Colts captain Rhys Price who covered every inch of the sodden Almondvale pitch. The guile of messrs McLeish and Watt ostensibly gave Coltswood that extra level of quality that is so often integral in determining the outcome of nerve-wrought finals.

Full Time: Bo’Ness United 0-2 Coltswood Colts 

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When the dust clears after every competition, there is always one team standing on top. Today, it was the Syngenta Juveniles Under 16’s who reigned supreme after a hard fought victory against a strong Broxburn Athletic Colts side. A solid defence and battling midfield display were key as Syngenta ran out 3-2 winners to claim the Robert Macmillan county cup for 2013. Their battle for the gold could not have been more thrilling.

The previously soaked pitch at Livingston Stadium looked to be back in fine condition and it was Syngenta who got the ball rolling. A quick start saw winger Andrew Mcnee bombing down the right side, showing early on the pace that would trouble Broxburn throughout the match. Good switching play with his team mate Ross Weir saw several early attacks and dangerous throw ins.

Broxburn meanwhile were looking to spring on Syngenta in the early stages with a display of quick passing and sudden counter attacks. James Mcgregor almost broke free with this approach for Broxburn after just 6 minutes, but his quick run was stopped by a strong sliding challenge from Syngenta defender Nicholas Taylor. A second sliding challenge from Grant Walker stopped a second Broxburn attack just a minute later.

The first real challenge came with 8 minutes on the clock, Liam Gallacher stabbing a clever ball through to Andrew Drysdale. The attack looked promising but Drysdale was stopped as Synegnta goalkeeper Taylor Jackson showed excellent awareness to dash out from his line and challenge for the ball with his feet.

Syngenta’s backline looked solid and their possession was always threatening to turn into dangerous attacks. This was apparent through Mcnee as again he picked up possession and drove quickly through a gap in the Broxburn midfield. His rifled shot from the edge of the box forced an excellent diving save from Liam Wilson and showed the Broxburn boys that he was not messing about on the ball.

The breakthrough came after 13 minutes as Andrew Macnally shot a teasing ball into the Broxburn box. The keeper could do nothing but watch as a defensive header knocked the ball down to the feet of Ross Weir who fired the ball into the bottom right corner to break the deadlock. 1-0 Syngenta!

Broxburn looked to recover quickly with an excellent display of passing. Gallacher to Drysdale to Gallacher and on to Scott and back to Drysdale. The passing drill only needed a finish at the end of it but Drysdale’s shot was just sliced at the keeper. Further movements through McGregor and Henderson saw Broxburn captain Marcus Millar teed up for a shot, but the Syngenta Juvenile defence held up again to block it.

Andrew Morrison began to show his influence on the ball as the match approached the half hour mark. A mix of strong tackles and accurate passes were showing he had the ability to win and control possession. It was Morrison who won the ball well to force it into the path of captain Gregor Munro. Munro worked the ball out to the right side of the park and shuffled past two defenders before forcing the corner. The first of several excellent deliveries from Christopher Hamilton saw Syngenta come close to doubling their lead.

Broxburn were looking unsure how the handle the quick opposing midfield and Mcnee was seen leaving more defenders behind as he drove into the box after 35 minutes. A clever pass and a battling run from Munro saw the ball fall to Jay Mcmahon. Though the attempt was curled past the post, Syngenta were closing in on a second goal.

At the other end, a cheeky overhead kick attempt from Jon-paul Dickson kept Taylor Jackson awake as he was forced to make a quick save. The Colts were working hard but struggling to find that final ball.

38 minutes into the first half and that’s just what they got. A long clearance from their half saw the ball fall for Jamie Henderson in the Syngenta area. His first attempt forced a fantastic reaction save from Jackson, but the instinctive striker in Henderson had him first to the rebound and he made no mistake in firing into the top corner to equalise. 1-1!

The match looked destined to go into the break still locked even, until some late Syngenta pressure pinned Broxburn back in their box. A hungry Mcnee was not allowing Broxburn to rest as he forced two consecutive corners. And when Hamilton swung in the third corner perfectly, it was Mcnee who rose up high to head the ball to the back post where Jordan Paterson was lurking to fire the ball into the roof of the net! 2-1 to Syngenta on the stroke of half time!

Half Time: Broxburn Athletic Colts 1-2 Syngenta Juveniles

The players returned to the pitch after a furious first half. Syngenta had the edge after dominating the midfield area. They were in front but Broxburn started the second half looking determined to chase.

It was Henderson and McGregor who immediately looked to push the leading side back. Blocked shots from Declan Kerr and Marcus Millar began the pursuit for an equaliser.

It was not long before they found it. The pace of Mcgregor put Syngenta under a lot of pressure, and it was as he entered the area on the 44th minute and looked to hit a shot he was brought down. Penalty!

You’d be hard pushed to find something more stressful than taking a penalty at a cup final. But if this worried Marcus Millar at all he did not show it as he stepped up and placed the ball neatly into the right corner of the net. 2-2!

After 50 minutes if play and two equalisers, Broxburn were finding a rhythm. Andrew Drysdale looked dangerous on the ball again, beating tow men and setting up a decent effort for striker Jamie Henderson. A clever nutmeg from Jordan Grieve saw McGregor make a similar run past the Juveniles defence.

A header from Dylan Scott and an increasingly professional passing display was seeing Broxburn take charge of the final as the hour mark approached. Syngenta had attempted a few rousing counters but the confident Colts were looking strong.

It took until the 65th minute for the Syngenta midfield to grab hold of possession again, a clever run from Clayton Lancaster forcing a corner. Another dangerous ball from Hamilton saw Greig Rae fire a header at goal. Though Wilson pulled off another great save, Syngenta Juvniles looked bright.

The match moved into a tenacious midfield battle with the teams each so close to breaking through. When Macnally worked a through ball down the right wing after 70 minutes, Mcnee was more than capable of working the ball into another dangerous Syngenta attack. When his low cross was rifled into the Broxburn area, it was Greig Rae who made the great run to the back post and met it with a sidefooted volley into the net. 3-2.

As the clock ticked on, Colts did not lose heart after falling behind. With 4 minutes to go Ross Gorman worked hard for his side to create a chance for Dickson, but the ball was struck wide and Broxburn remained behind. The match was again locked into a tactical war in the middle of the park and both sets of players were showing how capable they were of excellent attacking football.

The final minutes of normal time had every fan of the game perched on the edge of their seat. A Broxburn corner with two minutes of time remaining had almost every player crammed into the Syngenta box. A perfect ball right into the mass from Drysdale saw the ball deflected towards goal and just cleared off the line before a second Broxburn effort was dived on by Jackson. So close for the Colts!

When the 4th official holds up his board to reveal 5 additional minutes to a furious cup final, the best of teams can find themselves under pressure. But the Syngenta under 16 boys reacted calmly, taking the ball to the corner at every opportunity and holding on to possession. The game was almost put to bed as Gregor Munro unleashed a powerful effort from long range, but Wilson showed his acrobatics to get level with the shot and tip the ball over.

Broxburn were desperately attempting to find a way through but the Syngenta barricades had been made well and truly air tight. After 85 gruelling minutes, the ball sailed towards the half way line and referee Paul Taylor called time on this year’s county cup. The stands erupted and the victorious Syngenta were in their glory.

Nothing negative could be said about the approach of Broxburn Athletic Colts. The fantastic performance put forward by the runners up was unlucky to fall short. In the end, a professional display, relentless attacking skill and that much needed final day luck was what separated the teams. The man of the match accolade was given to a deserving Andrew Morrison, and this year’s Under 16’s Robert Macmillan County Cup given to the talented Syngenta Juveniles.

Full Time: Broxburn Athletic Colts 2-3 Syngenta Juveniles