(Murieston United win 7-6 on penalties)

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Nothing brings out more emotion in a football match than a cup final going all the way to penalty kicks. It was a day of nerves, pressure and great tactical football as Murieston Blue U17s overcame Grange Rovers after sudden death spot kicks to lift the WLAYFC trophy. It was exhausting just watching two highly physical and talented teams clash again and again throughout the course of the match, and both teams certainly earned the highest level of respect.

Sun, spot kicks and celebration. The boys of Murieston Blue and Grange Rovers could not have been aware of the battle that awaited them as they took to the field under the scorching Stoneyburn sun. The pitch was looking good and both teams were visibly fired up as they warmed and moved into formation.

The match kicked off and immediately jumped into action with strong challenges from both teams making possession hard to keep.

Grange Rovers attempted to keep the ball in the Murieston half early on. A challenge from Aidan Moffat was called as a foul to give Grange Rovers a free kick after 5 minutes and the first real chance. The ball was lofted in beautifully but the header from Dean Kenny was sent wide.

At the other end, it was Courtland Mitchell for Murieston Blue who was showing his ability on the ball. A few clever touches and through balls under pressure were identifying him as a target man for his side early on.

Mitchell linked up well with team mate Ryan Conroy as the match progressed, with Aidan Mannion also bombing forward. With players attacking positively, Murieston were forcing themselves into space and after 20 minutes Conroy broke into the box beating several men. It looked promising, but the strong defensive presence of the Grange players pressured him into shooting over.

The Grange defence continued to impress as the match reached the half hour mark, blocking the efforts of Mitchell and Moffat as they attempted to squeeze through the back line.

After 32 minutes, it was Jamie Lunn applying pressure at the other end. The Grange man battled through several defenders to fire a shot at Andrew Massie in the Murieston goal. 1 minute passing saw Lunn again racing through the defence but again being beaten to the punch by Massie, who was quick off his line. Fantastic defending from Andrew Hutchison for Murieston helped finally relieve the pressure.

Meanwhile, Courtland Mitchell was still looking dangerous for his side. Some fantastic one touch passing with fellow midfielder Mark Wilkie saw the two men throw the pressure back onto the Grange Rovers defence.

The end of a half is always a vital point in any match, as both sides look to have the final say before the break. This proved true on the stroke of half time in Stoneyburn, as Murieston Blue finally took the lead in the final. Influencing a quick one-two to send himself into the box, Wilkie swept past the defence before placing his shot underneath the advancing goalkeeper and give his side a massive advantage at the end of the half.

Half Time: Murieston United Blue 1-0 Grange Rovers

The second half started with fury as both teams again lunged into several strong challenges. The battle in midfield was still very much held at a stalemate, but neither team looked happy to leave it at that.

4 minutes into the second half saw Grange Rovers come close to levelling the match. A clever run past several defenders from Bradley McCabe put the pressure on, but his ball in to Dylan Money was met by a sliced shot past the post.

As the match progressed, no team was showing signs of edging the midfield battle and both attacks were being denied by strong challenges and well positioned blocks. Both MacIndoe and Massie looked in control and dealt with the high volume of hopeful balls and swinging corners with safe hands.

With 75 minutes on the clock and their cup hopes slipping away, the Rovers began to step up the pressure and were firing shots away at every opportunity. Attempts from Money and Irvine were met with more composed saves from Massie.

After a brief moment of Murieston attack, headed by the consistent Courtland Mitchell, it was Grange again moving the ball towards the opposite end.

With 5 minutes remaining on the clock, confusion in the box saw the Rovers attacker brought down and the crowd went wild as a late penalty was awarded. The Grange Rovers dug out did not need their nerves as Jamie Lunn fired an unstoppable penalty past the goalkeeper to finally even things up for his side.

A rousing attack in the final minutes of the match saw Mitchell, Dewar and Meade all desperately attempting to create a winner for Murieston. But after 90 minute midfield war, it was inevitable the match continue and the referee soon blew his whistle to signify the end of normal time.

Full Time: Murieston United Blue 1-1 Grange Rovers

Excitement, determination and nerves were all showing on the faces of the players as they began the first half of extra time.

After just 4 minutes of the half, the Grange Rovers side had their hearts in their mouths as Wilkie again came close. His clever flick past his marker saw him with a good chance on goal, but the ball was sliced just wide.

Another 4 minutes of the half passing and again Grange Rovers were looking under pressure. Mannion took control for Murieston with a great driving run into an attacking position before slicing through the defence with a great through ball to set Mitchell up one on one with the keeper. A fantastic save from MacIndoe once again kept Rovers in the match.

The first half of extra time ended with a continued battle in midfield, with the challenges looking dangerous and each team threatening to find that one decisive ball into the danger area.

The players kicked off for the final time as the 2nd half of extra time began.

It was Grange Rovers who looked to apply the pressure, with Ali Kerr showing some good touches on the ball despite the gruelling match that had played out.

Both sides looked strong but understandably fatigues as the final minutes of the match played out. As each side edged forward, the other would threaten to counter before more crunching challenges would switch possession once again.

The final half of play came to a climax in the final minute of extra time as a Murieston Blue corner was met with a furious Mark Wilkie volley. The ball flew wide to the relief of the entire Grange Rovers squad and fan base. The final attempts scrapping forward into attack were ended by blast of the referee’s whistle. The looming question of penalty kick takers was immediately echoed around the pitch.

What a shoot out it proved to be. Again and again players from both sides approached the spot without fear, and fired their penalty into the net. Both sides scored their first 6 penalties, each with one hand on the trophy.

The moment of glory came in the 7th round of penalties for Murieston. A well read save low down from Massie set up the moment of glory. And there was never any doubt as Mark Wilkie approached the penalty spot, took aim and blasted the ball into the net and his team into victory.

Overall the match outlined everything that is exciting and nerve racking about a cup final, as well as displaying without any shadow of doubt that Scottish youth football has a plentiful supply of talent on show. Both sides fought a highly physical and highly tactical battle and both deserve the highest form of credit. However, it was Murieston who reigned supreme in the end and it could not be disputed Blues earned the right to carry home the trophy.

Final Result: Murieston United Blue 1-1 Grange Rovers (Murieston win 7-6 on penalties)

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A classic showdown at the Stoneyburn Juniors pitch saw Mid Calder Colts U15’s squad pick up an epic 4-3 victory over Armadale SC to lift the cup. The match saw a relentless attacking display from both sides and was contested until the very last gasp. The Colts will certainly have gone home feeling elated that they had come out champions after a final that will definitely be remembered.

After a delayed the start, the final of the WLAYFC Cup was certainly highly anticipated. It wasn’t just the fans arriving looking excited, with even the sun showing up to beam down on the proceedings. And with the goals that both teams had in store, neither fan nor sun could go home disappointed when the full time whistle sounded.

The match started quickly and furiously with Armadale SC taking the game to Mid Calder and keeping the ball in an attacking position. Grant Bell put the pressure on the Colts early with a dangerous cross and a long range effort, both coming in the first 2 minutes of the match.

And it was only 2 minutes after this that Armadale were rewarded for their quick attacking start. A classic quick break from midfield to attack saw a good ball looped into the box and met by a crashing Callum McGuire volley into the bottom left corner of the net. The cup final had already exploded into action after 4 minutes!

The Armadale pressure continued in the first 10 minutes, with Grant Bell again taking charge of the ball and firing several dangerous crosses into the area. It was a nervy start for Mid Calder and a second volley from McGuire was sliced just wide after 9 minutes. The determined tackling of Jack Hart was keeping the Colts together at the back following the Armadale goal.

All it can take to eradicate a slow start is one moment of magic. That’s exactly what happened for Mid Calder after 13 minutes of play when Mateusz Dobias won the ball in midfield and breezed past several players on the left side of the pitch. A cut in past the remaining defenders and cool bottom corner finish later and the match was level at 1-1.

Dobias inspired both teams to try their hands at midfield dribbling following his goal, trying to outsmart the opposition in the middle of the park. But the match took another twist on the 19th minute due through a deflection. An awkward bounce through the Mid Calder defence saw McGuire flying towards goal. A quick touch past Elliot Scott and the ball was again rolling into the net for 2-1 Armadale.

The match was firing on all cylinders, with the players moving end to end at rapid pace. The customary lull after a goal had never been considered by the two teams on cup final day and quite unbelievably, it was only a minute later before another equaliser levelled the match. Dobias, this time on the right side of the pitch, sailed in a long ball from way out. The keeper could hardly believe it as the long effort suddenly dipped into the top corner of the net to make to score 2-2.

Dobias was looking lethal at the beginning of the match and was one of the main reasons behind the furious start to the match. After 23 minutes, he was again in possession and was dribbling past several players. The defence stepped up to win the ball, but a pass found it’s way through to Christopher Jones who finished from close range to give Mid Calder the lead for the first time in the game.

Mid Calder certainly looked capable going forward as the half progressed and Robbie Rodgers was creating a lot of chances with an excellent display of long throws. With Connor Armitt also working his way into the box and having several attempts flash just wide, the Colts were looking to take charge.

But as the match reached the final 5 minutes of the first half, it was the run of Armadale’s Stephen Sinton which made the difference. Receiving the clever pass from McGuire, Sinton skipped quickly past his man but was brought down in the area. The penalty was given and when Bell stepped up, he made no mistake in converting the chance to level the scores at 3-3.

The match continued to go from end to end in the final minutes of the half, with Dobias looking dangerous for Mid Calder and Sinton doing the same for Armadale. McGuire may have snatched another goal at the end of the half, but a great save from Elliot Scott denied him. Scott certainly deserved the praise directed his way. Although he is generally an outfield player, it was he who bravely accepted the role between the sticks for the cup final after a goalkeeping crisis at Mid Calder.

The half time whistle brought an end to what was a high speed, thrill ride of a first half. Both teams looked enthusiastic at the football being played as they left the pitch to plot their next move.

Half Time: Armadale SC 3-3 Mid Calder Colts

The second half began with crunching challenges showing tow midfields ready to fight for control of the match. The first 10 minutes of the half saw Mid Calder still looking dangerous through Dobias and Armitt. Both players worked into the defence and applied pressure perfectly.

As ever in a final, you can never get too comfortable in attack. Armadale enforced this point with a quick break, Sinton releasing Corrigan down left side before the ball linked through to McGuire. Although his turning shot went wide, McGuire was still looking confident following his first half performance.

Both teams were edging forward in their own ways. After 17 minutes of the 2nd half chess match, it was Mid Calder who finally took back the initiative. A good creative build up from Sean Strachan saw him beat his marker before chipping the ball through to Dobias. Another quick flick past the keeper and it was Callum Smith who was there to header home and give the Colts an unbelievable 4-3 lead.

It was typical of the match that little over 5 minutes later, Armadale were facing an open net. A quick break past the defender and then the keeper from McGuire almost created another equaliser but his shot was blocked when several Mid Calder defenders leapt forward to block the shot and keep one hand on the trophy.

As the match passed the hour mark, Mid Calder certainly were not looking like relinquishing this grip on the cup. The linking football between Smith, Armitt and Strachan complimented the sweeping runs of Dobias brilliantly.

A final such as this would not have been complete without an inevitable late scramble. Armadale certainly looked formidable in attack as the match ticked towards the final whistle. Two minutes before full time and McGuire was again brushing past his man to drill a shot at goal. Another great save from Elliot Scott denied the equaliser.

McGuire’s final attempt at goal came in the 2nd minute of stoppage time as he hurtled after a long ball into the Mid Calder half. One quick touch into the air saw him loop the ball over two defenders to leave him one on one. The Colts held their breath as one and were delighted to see their stand in keeper rush out to make another fantastic block.

The final whistle sounded after a heap of late Armadale pressure, and the Mid Calder Colts finally grasped the cup. The unbelievable final had seen both sides seize the advantage with admirable attacking performances, both sides turning defence into attack at the flip of a coin. In the end, the Colts took the match just beyond their opponents and thoroughly deserve their new title as champions.

Full Time: Armadale SC 3-4 Mid Calder Colts

(AET, Leith Athletic win 5-3 on penalties) 

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Every word of this match report will be one of praise for both teams who produced such a total thriller of a final on a night that was just nigh perfect for football, good football at that. This latest in the long number of finals staged by the SERYFA was, especially, an example of the most wonderful and satisfying display of sportsmanship and good spirit that it was possible to see. Leith Athletic and Dalkeith, you did football proud last night! Leith Athletic and Dalkeith, you were nothing short of magnificent!

Sit back, therefore, and let me praise every player, match official, coach, spectator and if there was a dug in Oiive Bank - well it was brilliant as well. I am almost salivating as I think of all the good things in this final. It was the second time Leith have walked away with the silverware at this neat and tidy home of Musselburgh Athletic JFC - and the best pies in Scottish Football (Lovable Hughie Ferguson told me so!). From the opening whistle from referee, Alan McEwan, this game rocked and rolled. The crowds, most of them on the sunny terracing on the side of Campsie Primary School (what were these people doing on the roof I asked myself?) shouted and bawled their way through this amazing game. The referee, as usual, got laldie (is that the correct spelling)! No change there, then! I watched in awe at the coolness under pressure of Leith’s skipper, No 6, Lyndon Leonard. One cool customer in the centre of defence, but more about him and his immediate opponent, the brilliant Dalkeith No 9, Chris Jamieson, the son of the former Hibs player, Willie Jamieson!

Good players emerged all over the pitch (which, I have to say, could have done with a cut) and Dalkeith No 8 Liam Fellenger, another whose father played for the Hibees, looked a class player. Callum Mein, No 8 in the famous Leith colours, delivered an excellent free kick in to the danger area in front of Dalkeith keeper, Connor Lunn (I don’t know if his dad played for Hibs). Mein’s free kick cannoned off Dalkeith No 16, Daniel Greig and that produced the first corner of the game. I thought Leith had the better of the opening excchanges but even I was not prepared for what followed in this titanic encounter in the sun. And so, Leith pounded away at the Dalkeith goal and here, I want to mention Dalkeith No 16, Daniel Greig. What a great prospect he is and with his throw-ins at either side of the pitch were like guided missiles, better than free-kicks and corners, in my humble opinion. How did Daniel get so much power in to his throw-ins? If I find out, I will let you know. Enough of that, Ian, get on with lavishing more praise on the players.

So, Darren Gallagher (No 7), Callum Mein and Sean Macpherson impressed in Leith attacks on the Dalkeith goal, while Fellenger, whose dad played for Hibs (oh, I have already said that) and Mark Lawrie, No 3, were prominent for Dalkeith. Now, I have to say I have no idea if Mark is any relation to the Annie Laurie immortalised in song so long ago! Jack Brien (No 4) had a lethal left foot and his clearances out of defence were awesome! OK, too well hit at times as well. But I like Jack and I have known him and others on the pitch for a long time. All strapping, handsome young men with their respective lives ahead of them. And good luck to all of them. I was impressed by Dalkeith striker, you know, Chris Jamieson and if you think I am going to mention he is the son of Willie Jamieson who played for Hibs, you are correct! Chris looked a very skilful player indeed, not like his dad, I have to add!

In another alll-out Leith attack (where the hell did these young players get their energy from?) it took a great clearance from Daniel Greig to clear the danger. In a Dalkeith attack, Leith keeper, Reece Smail, had to come quickly off his line to clear from Jamieson. At the other end, Leith No 9, Ross Davies, let fly at the Dalkeith goal with an absolute piledriver of a shot and that produced a great tip over the crossbar from Dalkeith keeper, Connor Lunn. The corner, taken on the left by Mein, was grossly overhit. Dalkeith No 14, Chris McCartney, and I don’t know if his dad played for Hibs either) sent in a great free kick and the ball rocketed towards Smail, but it was headed away. Phew! Sean Macpherson then showed up well with a well-timed tackle on Chris Cairns. The game moved at express speed from end to end and the excitement brought out the shouts and roars from the fans.

Leith continued to look the better side but that went for nothing in the 18th minute when Willie Jamieson’s son, Chris, produced his very own little bit of magic to the left of the Leith goal, some 25 yards out. The boy Jamieson, not his old dad, lit up Olive Bank with a stunner of a shot and the ball flashed past the bewildered Reece Smail in to the right-hand corner of the net to put Dalkeith 1-0 in the lead. It was Happy Days Are Here Again among the Leith players and their fans on the sidelines. Let us get at them, was the Leith reply! Led by Mein and Davies. Woof, another cruncher of a tackle from Daniel (in the lion’s den) Greig on Jamieson, and another free-kick to Leith. Cleared easily, I have to admit! Dalkeith then attacked on the right and in stepped Jack (the lad) Brien to blooter the ball away.

Enter then another Dalkeith hero in the shape of Tyron McLean, in the No 2 jersey. Tyrone’s workrate was staggering! And, just to confuse me a wee bit (not much) Tyrone played on the left side of defence for the team from Midlothian (yes, I know my geography!). He set off on a surging run but it was a case of Thou Shalt Not Pass mentality from Lydon Leonard & Co. Have I mentioned Liam Greig (No 7) or his father so far? I cannot remember, but Liam was another very good player in the Dalkeith colours. I notice I jotted down on my notebook how well organised and strong the Dalkeith defence was, when - guess what? Leith equalised! Another brilliant free-kick headed from the right in to the near post and with Lunn rooted to the spot, it was big No 16, Ryan Ward, who managed to stick the ball in the Dalkeith net. I promised Ryan’s dad, Freddie, I would mention his son, so there you are Freddie and thanks for the offer of a pint in the pub nearby! I could fill a book about Freddie Ward and the greatest amateur side I have ever seen, the Jolly Farmer/Waverley side of so long ago that won the Famous Grouse Sunday Amateur Cup. I could tell you of the truly epic encounter this team had with Moodiesburn, from Glasgow, at Southhouse Basin! But I won’t!

So, where am I? Oh, yes, big Ryan had done the dirty on Dalkeith in the 32nd minute and from then on till half-time, Leith were back in the drving seat. Here, then, I have to introduce Sean Melvin. The Leith No 17 had a fantastic game and, once again, I have no idea if his dad played football, Possibly not, but he could have got a game for Hearts or some other of our crap professional teams in Scotland.

Oh, and while I am at it, Sean Alexander was another star in the Leith ranks. But all that praise counted for nothing when Dalkeith went back in front, at 2-1, just before half-time. It was another stunner of a goal, too, from Chris Jamieson, out on the left again from a free-kick and I doubt if the flying Reece Smail had any real chance of stopping the ball as it careered in to the net, again at the right-hand post. Bedlam in the Dalkeith ranks once more! Wonderful to watch!

It was 2-1 at the break and time for a wee breather. Where was Freddie Ford (no, I have not a clue which senior side Freddie played for) when I needed him and a cool glass of your best cider, landlord, in the pub nearby! But, unlike all the big(?) games at Hampden and elsewhere, there were no freebies at Olive Bank, just honest young, great, wonderful, magical, sporting, talented young footballers.

Half Time: Dalkeith CYP 2-1 Leith Athletic

And the second half was positively mouthwatering!

Do you ever get the feeling at a game that a lot more is going to happen. Well, I had that feeling after the break. In the 4th minute of the second half, Leith equalised and it was a tragedy for Dalkeith No 3, Mark Lawrie, as a free-kick delivered from the left hit the unlucky defender and from him in to the net and it was still 2-2. There were no more goals in the rest of normal time, but goodness me, it was a total thriller of a game. I moved my position to the other side of the pitch, close to the dugouts and the bulk of fans.

My enjoyment increased serveal fold as I listened to the banter and also managed to check if I had the goalscorers correct. Despite the lack of goals, everything else was there to see and enjoy. Goalmouth thrills - in abundance. Mistakes at both ends and the poor referee was lamblasted by the bigmoouths on the terracing who have never refereed a game in their lives. Alan McEwan is an honest referee and I just could not figure out what the bigmouths were shouting about. Dalkeith’s No 6, Scott Waugh, was outstanding in defence for his team as play surged and I really mean, surged, from end to end. Hell, I could not see down the touchline. Jings, as Oor Wullie would say. Crivvens! Help Mah Boad! Et al!

In no time at all, it was full-time! Hi, check your watch Alan McEwan! The second half must have flown past and I did not want it to end. Play to the finish, I muttered under my breath! Oh, so they were and 30 minutes of extra time to come. Bring It On! Bloody Hell!

In the 5th minute of extra time, Dalkeith scored again and they led 3-2 and it Steven McKenzie, it was who profited from very poor defending by Leith away out near the left corner flag, and the Dalkeith No 12 somehow or other managed to send a shot past Reece Smail in to the far corner of the Leith net. I just could not believe my eyes. That was a positively ridiculous/great goal! Needlesstosay, the roars from the Dalkeith contingent must have been heard far away in the Midlothian town.

Two minutes later, it was 3-3 with another totally crazy goal from No 7, Darren Gallagher, and the Leith players let fly at the Dalkeith goal from far out on the very left touchline and the ball, well, how can I describe the pace Darren’s shot - like an express train and it was still heading down the East coast when the ball exploded in to the Dalkeith net at the near post. At the finish, I asked Darren if he meant to score. I have to take him at his word and he said he did mean to score. A team-mate added: “It was meant to be a cross!”

Whatever, they all count as they say and with the teams locked at 3-3 it was on to a penalty decider and the sky had started to get dark. No floodlights at Olive Bank, so get on with it and the Leith players certainly did just that. All five of their penalty takers - Darren Gallacher, Sean Melvin, Josh Riddell, Jack Brien and Euan Morrice, scored from the spot. Euan’s dad had to hide his eyes as this sone took Leith’s final spot-kick. “I just could not watch Euan take the penalty, I was so nervous!”

Sadly, for the brave, wonderful Dalkeith team, only Scott Waugh, Jason King and Mark Lawrie found the back of the Leith net. Reece Smail saved Steven McKenzie’s spot-kick and, as they say, it was all over bar the shouting!

Harry Smith, president of the SERYFA Under-19s, did the honours as the light continued to fade over Olive Bank. The memory of this final will remain with me for a long time to come. Tonight, in fact, when I travel to Haddington, to see the final of the Under-19 Royal Edinburgh Cup, at Millfield. It is between the crack Hutchison Vale side and Haddington Athletic Colts. Another cracking game is in prospect.

I would love to name everyone who was at Olive Bank. The atmosphere and banter were captivating for me. I had found my home and the greatest team game in the world. No wonder I love football with such endless passion. The players, the coaches, fans, etc etc - I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE GAME! Thanks, from the very bottom of my heart! Every player is special to me when I watch youth club teams in action. And it was just that at Olive Bank.

Full Time: Dalkeith CYP 3-3 Leith Athletic (Leith Athletic win 5-3 on penalties)