Edinburgh City Star progressed in the U19s David Murray Cup after a wafer-thin 1-0 win over Spartans Reds at Forrester High School. In a match between two even teams eyeing the top of League One, it was apt that only a rebound from a saved penalty could distinguish a victor.

It was a game that started with a lot of kinetic energy but little momentum; fifteen minutes in there had been as many bookings as shots (one). Both teams hurried the ball forward with such haste that strikers and midfielders were chasing in hope, and the defenders could sweep up, play back, or clear out any ball.

Possession was even but the style of play better suited Star. Captain Ryan Foggo and defensive shield Joseph McGinty are a stout combination, while striker Kieran Richmond doesn’t mind being offside three times if he escapes on the fourth. He had put the ball in the net once already - albeit offside - before he got loose in the 21st minute. Only the right boot of keeper Craig Wylie kept parity, an excellent save.

Reds’ best chances in the opening half came within a minute of each other not long after that reprieve. A cute dink over the centre backs by Glen Aitken nearly got Angus O’Connor in. A strike from 20 yards by David Whalen was whipped only a yard over the bar.

Yet Star still offered a threat by beating offside. A stroke of fortune had midfielder Jordan Mackie clear from halfway, but he hit well over on the run. A nice turn by Cameron Burns fed Richmond, who took the long way round before crossing inches beyond partner Owen McGreevy. However, the half ended without a goal.

After 45 minutes of stalemate, the next half got a goal within three minutes. McGreevy robbed his fullback on the right and, approaching the byline, cut across the recovering defender’s line before hitting the ground. The penalty was given, but missed: Josh Brock’s effort to the left was too close to Wylie. Reds, however, will rue statically watching Mackie walk in alone to convert the rebound.

Conceding a goal had undoubtedly not been in Spartans’ half time team talk, but playing football more on the floor had. With Aitken deeper, Whalen advanced, and substitute Christian Oroz Storm providing some impetuous on the right wing, there was nice football thirty yards from goal. Unfortunately Foggo et al stood in those thirty yards.

Equally problematic for Reds was the game now suited Richmond, waiting on halfway to break, and break, and break again. One time Wylie ran out only to smack his clearance off the striker, but the ball fell two yards short and wide. On another occasion the Star man could have passed to McGreevy for a tap in, but hit over.

With half an hour of the match left, Spartans attempted to turn the screw, and Edinburgh City retreated. A beautiful dummy by Storm on the right forced Star’s centre backs to cover out of position. When the clearance ricocheted into the middle Whalen struck a bouncing ball only centimetres over. Moments later, the same man headed a deep cross to the same destination.

Too often, however, moves ended in similar crosses swung hopefully to the back post. From these, nothing came. Time ticked on until suddenly there were only minutes to go. In a desperate last effort Aitken mishit one such cross, nearly fooling Aaron Hamilton in goal. Whalen headed another straight into the keeper’s arms, then hit a fine skidding effort tipped well round the left post.

Yet many seconds of these remaining minutes were spent watching Richmond running on the counter and somehow not scoring. By the time one last cross dropped to a swivelling Owen Barnes, four yards out, the defender’s strike represented Spartans’ last hope. The shot went straight into Hamilton’s gloves.