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Craigmount High School under-14s were celebrating again when winning the Edinburgh Secondary Schools League Cup on Saturday. This good side had already won the league crown and, on Thursday of last week, beaten St Andrew’s from Paisley 3-0 in the semi final of the Scottish Schools FA Shield.

So, there is the biggest game of their young lives to look forward to next month, when they take on the mighty Braidhurst from Motherwell in the final at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. The date for that massive occasion for each and every one of the players in the Craigmount and Braidhurst squads has still to be confirmed. It should be a truly great occasion for both schools and hordes of spectators are expected and, considering the closeness of Motherwell to Airdrie, most in the big crowd are likely to support Braidhurst. Did I say Craigmount have a mountain to climb? They most surely have!

Their 4-1 win against Portobello HS was unexpected easy and it was only towards the end of the final at St Augustine’s/Forrester complex that Portobello started to play better. Obviously, Craigmount played with a lot of confidence, after their great 3-0 win against St Andrew’s at rain-soaked Bathgate last week. The reason I like schools football so much is it gives me the chance to really enjoy games and every player gets game time. It can be a real mix at times, with very good players and those not so good - but getting the chance to play along side one’s school-mates is something, I think, to treasure.

In the Under-14 League Cup final, Craigmount were the better side for most of the game. As usual it was a a good, brisk start to the game by excellent match referee James Campbell and play did, indeed, surge from end to end. Excitement and expectation was high among the Porty fans, particularly one woman who could hardly contain her excitement. Calm down, dear, it is only an Under 14 Cup final! Porty No 15, Jack Thayers (that is the name given to me) looked a good player early on but he lost the ball on several occasions to the eager Craigmount players. Big goalkeeper, Euan Page, was in great form for Craigmount and he too did well early on to win the ball in a challenge with Porty No 10, Ogi Yildirim.

Portobello’s defence looked good when Craigmount mounted attacks on their goal but it was the Scottish Shield finalists who went 1-0 in front with and it was arguably the best player on the pitch, Lewis Hall, who headed home the first goal of the final in the 23rd minute of non-stop action. Andrew Hunter continued his impressive form for Craigmount and a great free kick from the big No 14 simply crashed just over the Portobello crossbar.

Porty keeper, Scott Capaldi, was lucky when he came off his line in a bid to clear a loose ball but Craigmount’s No 10, Michael Allan, blocked the clearance but just could not get enough on the ball to score a second goal for the west Edinburgh school. Jack-the-lad, No 15 in the Porty ranks, set off on a good run at the Craigmount goal, but he held on to the ball too long and the danger was cleared.

Big Daniel Baur, No 6, had a go at adding another goal for Craigmount from a free-kick, but the ball went harmlessly over the bar. Lewis Hall was prominent again when Craigmount attacked along with Michael Allan (No 10) and it was Allan who scored what I can only say was a brilliant goal after good work by Baur and that made it 2-0 for Craigmount - and they were virtually coasting from then on.

It got even better for Craigmount when the impressive Andrew Hunter made it 3-0. Andrew has grown a lot in the past year and he looks a well-balanced and good prospect. I so much hope he and all the others look to their game and get better and better as time goes on. Boys will only get out of life all that is good, if they put the effort in to improving their skills and awareness, particularly in sports such as football - the greatest team game in the world.

Trailing 3-0, Portobello were lifted by the shouts of the woman on the touchline, when she stopped gossiping with two other women (some things never change when females are about)! Portobello No 2, Jordan Smith, let fly with a good effort at the Craigmount goal, but Euan Page was in sparkling form in this final and he saved well to clear. The game was as good as over when Michael Allan, again, scored to make it 4-0. Once again, it was Craigmount who were on the crest of a wave and Portobello were in danger of going under completely. I could add they were out of their depth. Even water way to go! Down by the seaside and all that! Portobello had a chance to reduce the deficit from a free-kick in a good position, but the ball flew wide of the right-hand post.

When Portobello did get shots on the target, Euan Page, looked unbeatable! However, as both sides used up their subs, the game did change in favour of Portobello and it was No 15, Jack, you-know-who, who scored a superb goal to make the final scoreline 4-1.

Full Time: Craigmount High School 4-1 Portobello High School

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My last final of the weekend was for the David Murray Cup and I wonder if you will believe me if I say AGAIN just how good a game it was. Stunning in fact and it built up to the most incredible finish. It was another step in to the unknown for me as I did not know just what to expect from Bonnyrigg Rose and Leith Athletic. In the event, it was simply as good as it gets for me at this age level. If I tell you Leith Athletic won 3-2 you may think it was just an average under-19 youth club finale. It was not! In my humble opinion, it was a fantastic game to watch with wonderful goals and, well, Leith Athletic’s winner in the last minute of the game was simply something very special.

Bonnyrigg beat Edinburgh United Juniors 1-0 in a final the previous week and would you also believe me if I said they played even better, much better, against Leith Athletic - but lost! Even more of a mystery is the fact Bonnyrigg went 2-0 in front in the first half from two stunners of goals from No 11, Thomas Thomson. Was the Bonnyrigg player fired up for this latest final, no, he was simply on a different planet and in a world of his own. His celebrations when scoring in the 12th minute and again in the 24th minute. Help ma boab, I thought Tom was going to blow a fuse and from then on he just could not calm down. He was like a man possessed with the most incredible desire to win.

This game, as I have already mentioned was an old-fashioned humdinger of a cup final. The pace was frightening and every blade of grass on the big pitch at New Dundas Park in Bonnyrigg was covered and so too up the outside of the touchlines. It was damn scary at times, I can tell you and how I did not get the ball in my mush (face) I’ll never know. Even before the start, when Bonnyrigg warmed up, goalkeeper Liam McCathie almost clocked me one on the back of the head when practising his clearances from hand. And to think I praised Liam to the hilt for his performance the week before. There is gratitude for you. Liam tried to shut me up for good but the ball hit the wall near the changing rooms. I was just about to put my notebook in my pocket, Liam, and give someone my cameras to keep, while I sorted you out, but it was all in my head. I could not take care of a mouse these days. But the pen is mightier than the sword as they say, so read on baby doll. I will have my say about you!

Players from both sides played above themselves in this final, aye, including Liam McCathie (spoil sport). The blistering pace never slackened and when Bonnyrigg went 2-0 up from the David Bowie in their side - ground control to major Tom and all that jazz - people on the terracing just could not believe what they were seeing. I was at the end where Thomson scored both his goals and I can assure everyone he wanted more. I must say I do not know if Thomson arrived in a space craft but all that was missing was antennae sprouting from out of his head. Thomson just did not score two goals, he just about ripped the net apart with the force of his shots. When his team-mates got a hold of him to celebrate, I thought Thomson would have ripped them apart physically. I expected a blood bath! But, in my experience, all teams from Leith never give in and they are also full of character. And this current Leith under-19 squad fitted the bill exactly. Sorry Tom Thomson, but it was Leith who got ripped in to Bonnyrigg. Wonderful football all over the pitch and I have to give praise to Bonnyrigg No 8, Harry Tranent, who had a quite superb game in midfield for his side. Well done, Harry. You know what I mean, ‘Arry!

This game benefited from having a great referee in Kevin Ferguson. He was well nigh perfect in every way with his decisions. And, let’s face it, he had to or Thomson would have had Kevin for tea! With or without salad! Leith No 10, Sean MacPherson was just one of the many, many stars in the famous black and white colours of Leith Athletic. Trailing 2-0, there was no chance at all that Leith would not get goals. Urged on by inspirational skipper, Llyndon Leonard (No 6) the Leith players accepted the challenge from this tanked-up Bonnyrigg side and it was just brilliant to watch. And in such good spirit as well. I have tried to keep his name out of my report, but Liam McCathie had another very good day, indeed. Huh, why mention just Liam however, as all the players in both teams contributed to a great, great game of football. And the coffee, tea, bacon rolls, sausage rolls and sweets for sale in the café round the back were very good as well.

Bonnyrigg No 14, Lewis Turkington, tried to steal some of the thunder away from David Bowie, sorry Tom Thomson (without a pee) with a good effort that fully tested Reece Smail in the Leith goal. Harry Tranent even tried to score from 40yd out - yes, it was that kind of game! A mistake in the Bonnyrigg defence - how do you account for that, Liam McCathie. Come on, tell me, own up! The ball went to Liam Conaghan (No 11) but the Leith player shot wide. How could you, Liam Conaghan! Did you not know I had it in for Liam McCathie. I wanted to criticise him for trying to belt me on the head with the ball! But, yes ha ha, Leith scored their first goal of the game. Euan Morrice (No 14) did all the hard work on the right before delivering the ball across McCathie’s goal and No 9, Ross Davies finished off superbly.

That made it 2-1 and it was hee haw time for Liam McCathie. Play did not just surge from end to end, it just about blew me away such was the speed and commitment of all the players on the pitch. A Jed Baxter corner for Bonnyrigg was headed goalwards by Harry Tranent but the net-bound shot was cleared off the line. I can only imagine what the celebrations would have been like if Harry had scored. Maybe the next time, big man! Then Bonnyrigg No 16 was aggrieved when he was shunted off the ball while on a run on the left by Llyndon Learnard. Calum Murray was next to make his mark on the game with a surging run at the Leith goal, only to lose control of the ball at a vital time. Up to the other end and a good cross in to McCathie’s goal was scrambled away. What the hell is the referee blowing his whistle for? Oh, sorry, it was half-time.

Half Time: Bonnyrigg Rose 1-2 Leith Athletic

Bonnyrgg started the second half as if they had rockets up their backsides. Bonnyrigg on the right; Bonnyrigg on the left; Bonnyrigg through the middle - but they met their match in the Leith defence. Then a sweeping Bonnyrigg move involving Dean Whitson and Harry Tranent produced a great shot from Whitson, but Reece Smail was perfectly placed to gather the ball in and clear. Oh, how close was that?

Leith No 8, Callum Mein, was so close to getting the equaliser. But it was coming. I knew because I could feel it in my water! McCathie came away off his line to clear from Ross Davies, but the pressure on Bonnyrigg built up. Leith No 5, Sean Melvin, slammed a wonderful shot off Bonnyrigg defender but McCathie’s time was running out. I could just feel it! No-one tries to down old Ian with a football! No, not even Liam McCathie! Hee, hee, I have to say some of Liam’s clearances in to the wind were erratic. Nice word, that! I will try to use it again!

Lewis Turkington continued to impress for Bonnyrigg (as well as Liam McCathie and big ‘Arry). Bonyrigg’s luck ran out in the 11th minute of the second half when a wonderful wind-assisted free kick slammed off McCathie’s left-hand post and No 10, Sean MacPherson followed up to score the equaliser. 2-2, hallelujah! The shit really hit the fans from then on! Some idiot or a spectator was told to leave the ground for alleged racist remarks and it appeared to me the group who were sent packing then appeared on a the roof of a garage behind one of the goals at New Dundas Park, outside the stadium.

Leith attacked as if their very lifes depended on it. It was simply marvellous and Liam McCathie was outstanding again. Darren Gallagher blasted a shot over the Bonnyrigg goal and, when play went to the other end, Smail was alert to clear. Then came the goal of the game - NOT! Leith broke out from their own half and when a wonderful cross was delivered in to the Bonnyrigg goal No 9, Ross Davies, met it perfectly to score with a header. But linesman Billy Connor had his flag up for offside against the Leith striker.

It was Leith Athletic who were on fire at that stage and they went hunting for the winner. And they duly got it - in the last minute of normal time. It was chaotic in McCathie’s goalmouth as the ball bobbed about all over the place until it landed just right for Callum Mein to score with a low shot in to the right hand corner of McCathie’s goal. That made it 3-2 for Leith and it also brought down the curtain of a wonderful under-19 cup final. In time added on, Bonnyrigg tried their best to get an equaliser of their own, but not this week.

Full Time: Bonnyrigg Rose 2-3 Leith Athletic

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Tynecastle Football Club under-13s produced a remarkably good TEAM display on their way to beating a very good Loanhead combine in the final of the Peter O’Neill Cup. It is rare indeed to see such young boys play in such a way as Tynecastle did in the final at New Dundas Park in Bonnyrigg. Every player in the Tynecastle colours was exceptionally good against a hard-working Loanhead team and those of us up and early on Sunday morning to see the game being played (in the rain) in Midlothian were even treated to a spectacular display of celebration from a Tynecastle player that included a couple of backward somersaults. Oh, to be young again!

It was indeed, lovely to see, in a game played in such wonderful, genuine and honest manner. What a great credit both clubs were to youth club football. Of course, in a team game, some players were that bit better and in this final, Tynecastle had better players than Loanhead in all areas of the big pitch at Bonnyrigg. And, none, better on both sides than Tynecastle No 8, Daniel Purves. This is a boy with huge natural talent in my humble opinion. A young footballer who knows when to pass the ball and, my, how well Daniel passed the ball in this game. Loanhead, too, had good players but one or two of them could possibly take a lession from Daniel Purves and NOT get caught on the ball. Remember I said Tynecastle had an almost faultless team game, well Daniel and all the others in the maroon jerseys were streets ahead of Loanhead on this occasion.

Good football was in evidence in what was surely a great opening spell with Stuart Robertson, the referee, allowing the game to flow. Did I say it was a team game? Well to illustrate that comment, Tynecastle No 4, Jordan Purves (yes, from the same address) was brilliant in the Tynecastle defence. I just cannot remember if Jordan even wasted one ball out of defence. But, it is possibly wrong of me to pick out individuals among the boys in maroon, as they were all so good in this wonderful example of under-13 boys club football. The coaching and encouragement from both touchlines at Bonnyrigg was top class. It was indeed a brilliant wee game of football. Loanhead were caught offside in early raids on the Tynecastle goal and for a while, it was the team from the football hot-bed of talent in Midlothian who looked in the mood to go in front. But, gradually, Tynecastle forced their way in to the game with studied, brilliant football. It was, for me, a morning of enlightenment! Loanhead No 7, Matt Reitvelt, went close to opening the scoring with a shot that whizzed just wide of the Tynecastle left-hand post.

As the Midlothian outfit continued their raids on the Tynecastle goal, they came up against another star in a maroon jerseys, No 2, Robbie Telfer. Loanhead No 3, meanwhile, Matt Crosbie, was brilliant for his side and his tackles took my breath away. Great play, Matt! Oh, here I go again, Tynecastle No 10, Dylan Brown, showed up so well on attacks on the right while Matt Rietvelt, (No 7) was working his magic for Loanhead. What a super game it was to watch! Declan Glass (No 10) slammed in a good effort that was well saved by Tynecastle keeper, Jordan Brown.

Then, possibly against the run of play, Tynecastle went in front. And guess who scored the goal. Yes, it was the mercurial No 8, Daniel Purves, who scored a tremendous goal at the left-hand post to put his side 1-0 up. I have to add Loanhead had done nothing wrong up till then. On the restart, Dylan Brown (No 10) led another Tynecastle attack but, once more, Matt Crosbie, produced a well-timed tackle to win the ball and clear the danger.

The Loanhead goal survived another good attempt that flew just wide of the target. The pace of the game and the skill on view from both sets of players was quite exceptional (I think I have already said that). And so Tynecastle’s attacks built up with, ahem, you know who (Daniel Purves) looking better and better on the ball. At the other end, Kyle Brockie (No 14) was sent tumbling in a Loanhead raid on the Tynecastle goal, but the referee awarded a free kick to the chagrin of the Loanhead fans. Declan Glass sent in a good free-kick at the Tynecastle goal, but Jordan Brown saved well. A through ball for Kyle Brockie to chase went behind for a goal-kick. Loanhead had upped their game but on this occasion Tynecastle were in brilliant form as a team. Another good move at the Loanhead end saw the ball passed from Ciaran McKenzie to Callum Bremner then on to Craig Ferrier, but the Loanhead defence did well to clear and it was still only 1-0 at the half-way stage.

Half Time: Loanhead Miners 0-1 Tynecastle FC

On the restart, Tynecastle scored a second goal when a mistake in the Loanhead defence left the goalie exposed and Craig Ferrier sent a well-controlled header in to the empty net and Tynecastle were then two goals in front. More brilliant play from Tynecastle almost produced another goal as play zipped along. When Loanhead broke, Ciaran McKenzie (No 5) was on hand for the Edinburgh side to clear the danger. Another super young talent, dare I say! Loanhead set up their own good passing moves and, in the process, won several free-kicks. Two corners as well, but no goals.

Then it was the turn of the Loanhead keeper, Bryan Cairns, to be under pressure again when Tynecastle attacked in force. In a bizarre moment, Dylan Brown, sent a soaring shot away over the Loanhead crossbar and the only living beings in danger were some birds flying over New Dundas Park. Enter stage right again, No 8 Daniel Purves, with a cracker of a shot that was blocked by the Loanhead defenders. Aaron was prominent in the next Tynecastle attack while Matt Reitvelt (No 7) shot wide from a good position at the other end.

What a superb game! Then another mistake in the Loanhead rearguard allowed Dylan Brown to fire in a good effort - straighht at goalie - Bryan Cairns. The fortunes in this final changed again when Declan Glass sent a 26 yard rocket of a shot in to the Tynecastle net to make it 2-1. That was followed with another great attempt from No Matt Reitvelt who brought out the best from Tynecastle keeper, Jordan Brown. And play, simply, roared on. Lots of free-kicks to both sides but no more goals. Callum Bremner it was who sent in a good shot at the Loanhead keeper while Declan Glass produced another magic moment with his close skills and he let fly with a powerful shot that belted up against a team-mate. It was that kind of day for Loanhead.

Then Glass won a corner but that was also cleared by the on-form Tynecastle defence. Something had to break and it was the Loanhead defence once again. A real sucker punch of a goal it was, too, with a Loanhead free-kick cleared away up the left and the ball was taken on a run by Craig Ferrier who then sent over a truly precise cross to the back post for Dylan Brown to score with a great header. Surely, a goal fit to win any game of football?

There was a moment of light relief when referee’s assistant, Philip Duncan, went flying on the far touchline and he looked to have hurt himself. But it was only Philip’s pride that was bruised in the fall, although his outfit was mud-splattered! Nice one, Philip, my boy! Hee, hee, hee, ho, ho ho! Just before the final whistle, Tynecastle won a corner on the right and No 12, Aaron Wilson sent over a great in swinger of a ball that appeared to me to go right in to the back of the net without any assistance. But No 16, Lewis Alexander, claimed the last touch.

Whatever, that made if 4-1 at the final whistle at this exemplary game of under-13 football. It was a sheer pleasure to watch all the players in action. A great game of football indeed. Well done, Tynecastle and so, too, Loanhead. It was a day when all the players could walk tall and be proud of their input in to such a good Peter O’Neill final and each team got a bag of goodies for the players from sponsor John Green (Edinburgh City). Yes, indeed, it was quite a wonderful Sunday morning for everyone at New Dundas Park.

Full Time: Loanhead Miners 1-4 Tynecastle FC