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Haddington hold off Penicuik surge to lift Polar Foods Cup

Haddington Athletic 2

Cowan 30, Harrison 41

Penicuik Athletic 1

McManus 65
  • Sunday, 25 March 2018
  • Millfield
  • Under 13´s
  • Polar Foods Cup
Kyle Clarkson
A goal either side of the interval was enough for Haddington Athletic to see off Penicuik Athletic and lift the Polar Foods Cup at Millfield. 
 
Luke Cowan opened the scoring on 30 minutes before Leo Harrison doubled the lead six minutes after the break. Ben McManus netted with five minutes to go; but it was too little too late. 
 
The game started in a lively fashion, with Penicuik winning a couple of corners and Haddington threatening on the break with the ball in behind the back four, with early chances falling to Jackson Marrins and Harrison respectively. 
 
Owen Terris tested Ben McIntosh with a long range effort before Harrison once again found himself in on goal, only to be judged offside after rounding the Penicuik keeper. 
 
Penicuik’s first big chance came through McManus. The striker found a yard in the box as the ball sat up kindly to him, but Cameron Bell was equal to it as the shotstopper knocked the ball away to his left. 
 
Luke Cowan fired in a dangerous looking freekick in from the left wing which goalkeeper, McIntosh parried away.  
 
Just moments later, Haddington would win a freekick on the opposite side. This time Cowan made no mistake with the dead ball as he looped the strike over the keeper and into the far corner.  
 
This time it was Penicuik’s turn to try their luck from a set piece. Rory Scott struck the ball extremely sweetly and although it was heading goal-wards; it arrowed straight into the palms of Bell. 
 
A goal worthy of the occasion was the difference between the sides as they went in with Haddington one goal to the good. 
  • Half Time:
  • Haddington Athletic
  • 1-0
  • Penicuik Athletic
Penicuik started the second period on the front foot. The lively Marrins weaved his way past three or four challenges; only to lift his effort too close to Bell, who dealt with it relatively comfortably. 
 
Despite the positivity, Penicuik soon trailed by two. Harrison gathered the ball more or less on the halfway line but that didn't stop him as he drove in on goal and fired the ball high and out of the reach of McIntosh into the roof of the net - holding off challenges from both sides in doing so. 
 
Marrins once again would knock on the door for Penicuik as he rifled a speculative shot from the right wing at goal; however he would watch in despair as the ball cannoned back off the post. 
 
A few moments later, Scott teed up McManus on the edge of the area, but the strike was comfortably caught by Bell, who rose highest to gather the ball from the following corner. 
 
Scott then watched an effort of his own saved before the big chance fell the way of Marrins, and he may well have found the net from close range if it wasn't for Cameron Banks throwing his body in the way of it to keep the score at 2-0. 
 
Chances continued to fall to the trailing side through McManus and Marrins before Bell fluffed a goal kick, but Penicuik were to overcomplicate the situation and the chance would fade. 
 
Five minutes from time and Penicuik would have their lifeline through McManus. The ball came over from the striker's right and he did the rest to convert from close range and half the deficit. 
 
The scares were far from over for Haddington. First of all a mix up between goalkeeper and defence almost gifted the ball away before McManus would go down in the area: as the howls bellowed from the stand and touchline alike.  
 
But nothing given, and that would be the last action of the day. A hard fought cup final; but Haddington edge it in the end, thanks to Leo Harrison's goal that proved to be the winner. 
  • Full Time:
  • Haddington Athletic
  • 2-1
  • Penicuik Athletic

Lineups

Haddington Athletic
Penicuik Athletic
1. Cameron Bell
2. Dylan White
3. Reece Fisher
4. Luke Cowan
5. Evan Smith
6. Jonathon Mainds
7. Callum Murdoch
8. Owen Terris
9. Ollie Craig
10. Leo Harrison
11. Shea O'Donnell
13. Sonny Douglas
14. Jack Riva
15. Reece Rudyj
16. Cameron Banks
17. Sam Deegan
1. Ben McIntosh
2. Kieron Gilling
3. Evan Wheater
4. Conal McDermott
5. Jay Pearson
6. Adam Wilson
7. Jackson Marrins
8. Josh Hawthorn
9. Ben McManus
10. Charlie Dempsey
11. Sam Ridgeway
12. Jack Davenport
14. Rory Scott
15. Emiliano Rama
16. Sam Campbell
17. Issac Haston
Star Player
Haddington Athletic
Penicuik Athletic
Leo Harrison was the standout for Haddington on the day. Despite passing up multiple one on one's; the striker converted when it mattered. His hard work and running beyond the back four made him a nightmare for Penicuik to deal with all game long.
Jackson Marrins was the key man for Penicuik. Despite defeat, Marrins played a key role on the right flank– linking up well with Issac Haston - and was at the heart of a lot of what was good about Penicuik.
Magic Moment
Haddington Athletic
Penicuik Athletic
Luke Cowan's free kcik just shy of half time was something special. He had a lot to do considering how far out wide he was. However this didn't stop him precisely bending the ball out of the reach of McIntosh and into the top corner.
The moment of hope for Penicuik. As Ben McManus guided the ball past Bell, to the roar of the Penicuik fans, who travelled in their numbers; but sadly it just wasn't to be.
  • Match report and photos copyright Youth Football Scotland.
Published in South East Region
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