Banks O’Dee Albion battle back to break Tynecastle hearts

Banks O’Dee have lifted the Trans World Soccer Scottish Youth FA Cup after completing a memorable comeback to beat Tynecastle 4-1 at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

With just six minutes played, Banks O’Dee had a huge claim for a penalty. When Dan Morrice nipped in front of Tynecastle goalkeeper Aaron Heap, Morrice was taken out by Heap and, much to the dismay of the Banks O’Dee dugout, referee Hannah McLean pointed for a goal kick.

With the Aberdeen side clearly in the ascendency, the rising Kyle Dalling’s thumping header was well held by Tynecastle goalkeeper Aaron Heap.

Midway through the first half and against the run of play, Tynecastle took the lead. From a long ball over the top, Banks O’Dee goalkeeper Kyle Leiper was hesitant in clearing the ball and, from the resulting clearance, Kameron Jackson slotted the ball into an empty net.

Tynecastle winger Ivan Alapiki’s pace continued to cause Banks O’Dee all sorts of problems down the left channel, but his cross into path of the goalscorer Jackson but he was thwarted by Leiper.

With seven minutes of the first half remaining, Banks O’Dee captain Lewis Duncan went on a quite spectacular mazy run from his own half, beating three players in the process, before shooting wide. Banks O’Dee were then forced into an early change, Reece Wilson replacing Dan Morrice.

Impressive attacker Kyle Dalling’s downward header bounced wide in the last chance of an exciting first half as Tynecastle went into the break a goal to the good.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Banks O’Dee found themselves an equaliser. With Tynecastle’s Jacques Crane down injured, Dylan Stuart’s burst down the left found Liam Smith who tapped in from six yards. Tynecastle were upset with the game being allowed to continue, but they had opportunities to clear the ball out themselves and didn’t.

Less than two minutes later, Smith added his and Banks O’Dee’s second in as many minutes. From Lewis Duncan’s corner on the left, Smith’s flick nestled in the bottom corner as Banks O’Dee looked to build on their already impressive comeback.

Liam Smith had the perfect opportunity to complete his hat-trick when he found himself one on one with Aaron Heap, but the goalkeeper spread himself well to block the shot.

Clearly high on confidence, Smith’s next bursting run saw him round the outcoming Heap before cutting it back to the edge of the box, where Dalling was on hand to all but seal the silverware.

Duncan almost capped off a match of the match performance with a spectacular 35 yard strike, but the rasping drive flew narrowly wide.

With five minutes remaining, Liam Smith completed his hattrick. After tenacious play yet again from Duncan, Smith unleashed a fantastic drive that flew past Heap as Banks O’Dee completed a memorable comeback to lift the Trans World Soccer Scottish Youth FA Cup.