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My last visit to Dunbar's New Countess Park didn't go too well, whilst on goalkeeping duty, and I'm not going to mention what happened! Today was fairly relaxing, with only 2 games, this match and later on the Under 16's Inter Region Final between the same two sides. Now, onto this match. The South East managed to get to the final by beating the North and East Regions, whilst the West got here by beating the Central Region. The game was set up to be a cracking encounter, and nobody was disappointed. 

The South East were missing top goalscorer Bradley Sinclair, a team mate of mine at Tynecastle, to injury. However strikers for the afternoon Aaran Currie and Ewan Stark didn't disappoint at all! It was Currie who had the first chance of the match. He found himself running on to a ball over the top from Andrew Taylor, and he found himself to get a left foot shot away, but Brad Newlands stood firm at the back for the West, diverting the ball for a corner. Jamie Chapman took the corner, centre half Robbie Renwick, another Tynecastle compatriot of mine, was unmarked at the back post, but his header was well over the bar. A great delivery from Chapman. 

Michael Kennedy was the set piece specialist for the West, and almost produced the delivery for the opening goal of the match. His free kick on the right hand side, taken left footed, inswinging, Renwick missed the header, and Jame Crawford found himself 12 yards out, with only Macauley Jarret to beat in the goal, but his toe poked effort was weak, and the keeper gratefully holds onto the ball. A nervy moment for the South East, as they had applied all the early pressure in the match. 

Sonny Swanson was at the heart of most of the South East attacks, and yes, yet again, Sonny is another one of my Tynecastle team mates. On this occasion, he cut inside of West left back Conor Bell, beat Brad Newlands, but Staurt Fyfe was forced to bring him down, 30 yards from goal. Chapman was on free kick duty, and he struck the ball with amazing technique, as the ball looked to be going well wide, but at the last moment, changed direction and swerved inches wide of Lloyd Fallon's right hand post. 

To follow, was a moment of controversy. Elliot MacKenzie, ANOTHER, yes another one of my team mates, not Tynecastle this time, the SYFA National Squad, was bombing up the right hand side, and he swung in a wonderful cross to Jamie Crawford at the back post. Crawford headed the ball back in towards the the penalty spot, Campbell Gibson arrived to head the ball towards goal, managing to get the ball past Jarret the South East keeper, but Mark Mathison had backpedalled to clear the ball away. It appeared as though the ball had crossed the line, but it was very tight. MacKenzie's powerful running down the right hand side was causing problems for Headspeath and Chapman on that side, up until he was subbed at half time. 

This match certainly wasn't short of major talking points, as another arose. A short backpass from West centre back Stuart Fyfe, forced Fallon to come racing from his goal. Once he was 35 yards out, he had almost reached the ball, but Ewan Stark was too quick for him, knocking the ball past the keeper, and Fallon wiped Stark clean out the game. The linesman immediately flagged to speak to referee Kevin Ferguson. After a brief consulation, my SYFA National Goalkeeping compatriot was shown the yellow card. Fallon was lucky to stay on the park, as from my angle, there was no covering defender.

The deadlock was soon broken, when Aaran Currie scored to give the South East the lead. Newlands attempted to launch the ball forward, the ball rebounding off of Marco McBride, into the path of Currie, and the striker didn't need a touch to compose himself, finishing well to Fallon's left. The goalkeeper furious with his defender, and I should think so aswell! The South East find themselves a goal to the good. Which was just about justified, with all the early pressure they have had. 

Set piece delivery specialist for the West, Michael Kennedy was working wonders again, with a corner from the right hand side, inswinging, and met by the head of Newlands, but the defender couldn't manage to get his header on target, under the watchful eye of Andrew Taylor. 

The South East were working wonders down the right hand side with Swanson, and another team mate of mine at Tynecastle, Aaron Nugent. The pair were showing their understanding of how each other play, with overlaping runs, and interchanging passes all afternoon. The latest attack for the South East came from Nugent thinking he was Messi for a while, using his trickery to go past Gibson and Bell with ease, playing the ball inside for Swanson, continuing his run with Swanson returning the ball, and Nugent beating Newlands with a cheeky nutmeg, cutting the ball back to Stark, but he blazed the ball over the bar. Lloyd Fallon was furious with his teams defending, allowing Aaron 'Messi' Nugent to run so far without any sort of a challenge. 

That was that for the first half, as the South East edged the score, and also the performance. The West with some work to do to get themselves back into the match. 

Half Time: SYFA South East 1-0 SYFA West

Lloyd Fallon was replaced at half time by another one of my Goalkeeping colleagues at the SYFA National team, Connor Houghton, and his first duty of the afternoon was to pick the ball out of his own net. Marco McBride finding Swanson on the right hand side straight from the kick off. Taking on Conor Bell, beating him, and firing an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner across the keeper. A great strike from Swanson, who was unplayable on the right hand side all afternoon. Any game plan the West came into the second half with had just been completely wiped out.

The South East did look vulnerable from set pieces, and this time was no different. Kennedy choosing to float the ball into the box towards Crawford. The ball looking too strong for the striker, but Jarret waited for the ball, and Crawford was inches away from getting a head to the ball, as nobody took charge of the situation in the box for the South East. 

The West did pull a goal back, and it came from a free kick. I did say the South East looked vulnerable from set pieces, and with the wonderful delivery from Kenedy always a threat, they did concede. A ball into the box, with pace this time, from the right hand side, evaded everybody before taking a slight nick off of a South East defender, and Jarret was wrong footed, with the ball skidding past him. Indecision as to who was going to go for the ball at the back for the South East. 2-1, game on!

Crawford made way for speedy striker Ryan Shields to come on for the West, and his first real involvment in the match was to equalise for the West. A chipped ball over the top from Bell, gave the number 9 something to run onto. Onside, beating Daniel Headspeath for pace, and finishing past Jarret at the near post. Finding the smallest of gaps between the keeper and the post, he rifled a rocket into the bottom corner, with all but Connor Houghton racing towards him to celebrate. Coming back from two goals down, the West deserve great credit for their comeback. 

Houghton in the West goal was called into action to make a save from Ewan Stark. Swanson and Nugent playing the ball between them before Nugent floating in a wonder cross onto the head of Stark, and his header had to be saved smartly by the keeper down low to his right. Keeping the scores at 2-2 with a great save. 

With Aaran Currie drifting to the left hand side on ocassions, he masterminded the South East's third goal. Headspeath played the ball down the line for Currie, he came inside with the ball, beat Fyfe with a nutmeg, gave the ball for Stark, he turned and hit the ball on the turn, past the full stretch Houghton, hitting the inside of the post and into the back of the net. The South East restored their lead. 3-2. 

The West just were not going to give up atall. Altering to 3 at the back, and two up top, re-introducing striker Crawford to play with goalscorer Ryan Shields. This was to pay dividence, as they equalied for the second time in the match. Crawford with great hold up play, laying the ball off to Kennedy, and his ball over the top was brought down brilliantly by Shields, almost a replica of his first goal, he outpaced Headspeath, and nipped in infront of the onrushing keeper in Macauley Jarret, and despite the best efforts of Renwick, the ball crossed the line, and the West had made the score 3-3. The subsitute Shields doubling his tally for the afternoon. 

The script could not have been written in this match, as amazingly, the South East were back infront! Heaspeath and Currie were working brilliantly together down the left wing, a one two from Headspeath to Currie, receiving the ball back, Headspeath played the ball into the feet of striker Charlie Adams, and the rest was just magical. This touch from Adams made me think it was Bergkamp against Newcastle, as he chipped the ball slightly up, squeezed himself between the two buildings on feet in the centre of the West backline, struck his shot, which was saved outstandingly by Houghton, but Adams was alert to the rebound, and volleyed the ball into the back of the net to win the game for the South East. Adams dedicating the winning goal to his late father, who was also his coach at his club side, Edinburgh South. A great way to end the game for Charlie, as his Dad would've been so proud of his wonderful goal. Outstanding way to win a match. 

It was all or nothing for the West in the final minute of additional time, all but James Traynor were commited forward for the corner. Kennedy delivered from the right, headed away by big Jack Landsbrough, and it was 4 against 1 in favour of the South East. Swanson, Adams, Currie and Landsbrough baring down on poor old Traynor. Unfortunately for the South East, Swanson's ball towards Currie was overhit, and he kept the ball in the corner. 

Referee Kevin Ferguson, from East Lothian, blew his whistle to signal the end of one of the most pulsating matches I have watched this season, and to confirm the South East Region as Inter Region Under 15 Shield Champions. 

Full Time: SYFA South East 4-3 SYFA West

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The SYFA South East Region's select squad took victory over West Region select in a cagey affair at New Countess Park in Dunbar. It was no surprise that Jason Kerr’s strike just before half time was enough to seal the victory as both sets of players came off the back of long domestic seasons for their club sides.

Liam Dunn’s late sending off looked as if it might put the South East side under pressure in the final 5 minutes, however, they were fully deserving of the victory as neither first half keeper Billy Taylor or second half keeper Jamie Shiel were troubled significantly throughout the course of the match.

Matthew Quinn headed Jason Kerr’s free kick just beyond Ben Collinson’s right hand goal post as South East started brightly.

The West select struggled to get a foothold in the game throughout the first half as Kevin Lavelle’s first time shot merely tested goalkeeper Billy Taylor’s awareness in the South East goal.

However, West could’ve taken the lead had Lavelle’s chip landed inches the other side of the post. Their lead would have been against the run of play albeit.

But when Kyle Mitchell was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, it presented South East with an inviting opportunity which Jason Kerr, despite a wicked deflection, was on hand to convert.

Gregor Munro’s looping cross was met by Jason Kerr, but his header lacked sufficient power to challenge Collinson.

Half Time: SYFA South East 1-0 SYFA West

Munro thought he had grabbed a second when his header dropped over the head of Collinson and into the net. However South East’s joy was short lived as the referee signalled that the number 10 had strayed into an offside position.

Ryan Currie, an impressive substitute, was at the heart of another South East attack culminating in Greg Kerr’s low strike being comfortably saved.

Minutes later Currie blazed an effort horribly over the crossbar from close range. The goal would most certainly have killed the game off.

An uneventful game ended with controversy though, and as Dunn was shown to the dressing rooms by referee Jim Sim the West Region players perhaps sniffed an opportunity to fight back.

Aaron Graham was dangerous down West Region’s right flank, but Kane O’Neill failed to convert a succession of the winger’s crosses.

Graham dragged an effort wide of target for the trailing side. To South East’s credit, they were comfortable with Greg Binnie, who successfully protected the back four all afternoon, helping see out the match.

The South East Region celebrated taking the title at the age group previously dominated by the West Region. It completed a South East double after success at the Under 15 age group earlier in the afternoon.

Full Time: SYFA South East 1-0 SYFA West

(AET) 

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Tynecastle versus Hutchison Vale is labelled as the "big match" at any age group in youth football, and it certainly lived up to its expectations. This all action Kenny McLean Cup Final saw just about all you can get in a game of football. Outstanding goals, yellow cards, red cards, last ditch defending. If I named it all, it would take you a good few hours to read my report! Hutchison Vale ran out 3-2 winners, however the scoreline was not a true reflection on the performance of Tynecastle. 

The first attack was from Tynie, and big 6 foot (and the rest!) striker Cameron Dawson almost latched onto a ball over the top from winger Jay Kilboy. Kilboy found himself some space on the left hand side after beating the Hutchie right back, and he whipped a ball into the box for Dawson to attack, but Jamie Mitchell was well off his line to claim the ball and remove any danger for his side. 

Even in this very early stage of the match, Kilboy was causing Hutchie all sorts of problems. The last time I reported on a Tynie Under 14's match, Kilboy was the star of the show, with his crossing and set piece ability. Just a natrual winger, which is very hard to find these days. Astonishing for a 14 year old! He was working his magic  again, beating 3 Hutchie players, and the fourth being forced to bring him down on the edge of the box. In a sense, a good foul to give away for Hutchie, as who knows what the magical feet of Kilboy could've done. Murray Rose took the free kick, but smacked his effort into the wall. Poor free kick from Rose. 

Brok Robertson on the other wing for Tynie certainly had legs on him, working up and down all evening. This burst forward ended up with a wickid delivery into target man Dawson. He layed the ball of to Liam "Fellaini" Willis, and his his chest then volley was almost Fellaini-esque, however the shot was just over the bar. Unlucky he was, but from now on Willis will be referred to as Fellaini! Just so nobody gets confused here. 

Hutchie's first real attack in the match came from lone striker Harry Girdwood. A long ball into his feet from centre half Kacper Balaban, and Girdwood swiveled and hit his shot with some venom. Fraser Briton in the Tynie goal looked reasonably comfortable that the shot was over, but it shaved the top of the bar. A nervy moment for the Keeper, with Hutchie almost taking a shock lead, completely against the run of play. 

Unfortunately for Tynie, Hutchie did take the lead. A short backpass allowed Girdwood to run clean through on goal. Briton did his best to narrow the angle and prevent Girdwood getting a clean shot at goal. But the striker finished expertly through the onrushing keepers legs to give his side the lead. As I said before, a rare venture forward for Hutchie, but they took their chance. 1-0 Hutchie. 

Fellaini almost equalised immediately for Tynie. A nutmeg on the edge of the box gave him space to shoot, and a right foot drive had Mitchell scrambling across his line, but the effort was alwasy curling wide. With Tynie having so much pressure, they found themselves a goal behind.

Girdwood amazingly almost signle handedly taking down the Tynie defenders. He received the ball wide on the right, he beat left back Callum Downie, centre half Bruce McCrorie, fellow centre half Ben Voy, and squared the ball for Blair Conway, but a great interception from the covering Cameron Liddell 12 yards out, prevented Hutchie from doubling their lead. Wondeful defending from the right back. 

The last action of the first half seen Tynie number 4 Ben Voy booked for a late challenge on Jamie Mackay. Voy attempted to run with the ball at the back, but a heavy touch wide in the left back position seen Mackay nip in infront of him and Voy wiped him clean out. Deserved booking from referee Peter Morris. The resulting free kick was taken by Girdwood, but captain Rose headed to safety. Half time came, and Hutchie, completely against the run of play, were infront by one goal to nil. 

Half Time: Tynecastle FC 0-1 Hutchison Vale

The second half began, and any game plan Tynie brought into this half was immediately wiped out. With Hutchie doubling their lead. A great delivery into the box from the corner from Girdwood was met at the front post by Calum Watson's bullet header, to make it 2-0 to Hutchie. The Tynie marking was non existant. A mountain to climb for the boys in maroon. 

One lad who wears his heart on his sleeve for Tynecastle, Murray Hand was the man to bring Tynie to life in the second half. His driving runs in midfield, some of his passes were too good to be true. Most coaches would say not to try the 'World cup pass', but when the ball is at Murray's feet, the world cup pass is always an option.

A very hard, but fair challenge from Hand was what saw Tynie lift their game, and they managed to get a goal back. Who was it? Oh wait, that outstanding midfielder Murray Hand. A corner into the box by Jay Kilboy, yes another great set piece delivery from, was met by the fists of Hutchie keeper Mitchell. Not a clean contact on the ball and it fell to Hand. A first time looping over on the turn evaded everybody in the crowded box, and nestled in the top corner. Tynie had a way back into the game.

In the aftermath of the goal, there was a race on to get the ball. Mitchell seemed to have won, but Dawson was having none of it, bulldozing the keeper out of the way, and he found himself lying in the net instead of the ball. The way Dawson ran through the keeper and bulldozed him out of the way.

After giving themselves a lifeline, Tynie faced an even steeper uphill battle now. Centre half Voy shown a second booking for a shirt pull on Robbie Polson, as he raced away down the left wing. Voy taking one for the team to prevent Hutchie from possibly scoring, as they had men in the box.

Although, to Tynie's credit, they began to play better when the were reduced to 10 men. They brought on powerhouse winger Callum Crawford, nicknamed the 'Caveman', for obvious reasons (not the hairstyle or the beard, just his rowdy powerful nature). 

Another winger that Tynie brought on, was trickster Robbie McPherson. And it was his corner which brought Tynie their equaliser. A ball into the box, missed by keeper Mitchell, and fired into the back of the net past 4 Hutchie players on the line by, yes, you guessed it! Man of the match Murray Hand. The celebrations just showing his passion for his club, and his love for Football. With 10 men, Tynie were in the acendency! The way the match was panning out, it looked only a matter of time before Tynie scored again. 

The whole of Saughton Enclosure must have though they had done. Murray Hand with an outstanding pass to Crawford on the right hand side. The 'Caveman' powered his way into the box, fired a ball across, and fellow substitute Matt Brady was all alone at the back post, but an astonishing save from Mitchell kept his team in the game. I will never know how he managed to save it.

That was to be the last action of normal time, as the game entered extra time. Tynie were battling hard with 10 men, and towards the end of the game, it looked like they were going to win it. Hutchie to their credit worked very hard to get service to lone striker Harry Girdwood, who was the livewire for them all evening. Murray Hand shone through as the outstanding player out of both sides though. From a 14 year old player, to rally his troops like he did was amazing to watch. So much maturity a passion on young shoulders. 

Full Time: Tynecastle FC 2-2 Hutchison Vale 

Well, as well as the scores being level, the amount of players on the park also became level. Hutchie's Blair Conway received a straight red card for a mistimed challenge on Bruce McCrorie. He made an honest attempt to win the ball, but McCrorie was too quick for him.

Murray Hand could have had his hat-trick, if it wasn't for Mitchell at full stretch. Hand arriving late into the box from a Rowell cut back, and a left foot strike, destined for the top corner, was expertly saved by Mitchell. Very unlucky was Hand. Credit to the Keeper. 

To follow, was a very, very unfortunate incident indeed. A ball into the box from Girdwood from the right hand side, was headed away by McCrorie. However, the ball rebounded off of Murray Young the Hutchie player in the box, hitting McCrorie again, wrongfooting Briton, and nestling inside the side netting to put Hutchie back infront. A calamitous moment at the back for Tynie. 

The score could easily of been 4-2 to Hutchie only minutes into the second period of extra time. Murray Young found himself space on the left hand side of the penalty box. Up against Brok Robertson, he attempted to find a way round him, but failed and instead opted for the low shot, but a smart save from Briton kept the score at 3-2. 

Tynie were going all out to find an equaliser, from Briton's save from Young, he leathered the ball upfield, and found Crawford wide on the right. The powerhouse gave himself a shooting opportunity, but wasted it as he blazed over the bar from 20 yards. Frustration all over the face of the number 7. 

With Tynie piling on the pressure, they were left vulverable at the back, and were very nearly caught out. Commiting all but McCrorie froward in the attack, Jamie Mackay was winning the race to the ball, but a strong challenge from the recovering McCrorie prevented Mackay from baring down on Briton. Another launched ball from the keeper, was won in the air by the impressive Kacper Balaban at centre half for Hutchie. The ball was coming straight back most of the time, as Tynie lost Peter Crouch, I mean Cameron Dawson, to injury. This meant no real physical presence up top for the boys in maroon. 

Winger McPherson won a free kick for his side 20 yards from goal. Fouled by Balaban. All hands on deck to Hutchie in the final minute, to keep Tynie out. All players that remained on the pitch, apart from Fraser Briton,  were in the Hutchie penalty box, as Murray Rose struck a venomour free kick which stung the palms of Mitchell, and that was that! Hutchison Vale win the Kenny McLean Cup final. 

Congratulations to both teams on reaching the final, and credit to both teams again for putting on a very good game of football for myself, and the rest of the large number of spectators. Well done to Hutchison Vale for winning the cup final, but Tynecastle deserved more from the game. Hutchie took their chances though, and that is how you win football matches, by scoring goals. 

Final Result: Tynecastle FC 2-3 Hutchison Vale