Bo’ness edge past Dryburgh to clinch U18s East Plate trophy in tense penalty shootout

Bo’ness United were crowned winners of the Scottish Women’s Football U18s East Plate Youth Final after a penalty shootout against Dryburgh Athletic at Gartcairn’s MTC Park.

Bo’ness started the match on the front foot, scoring the opening goal in the second minute. Lewington found ample space in the centre of the box to rifle the ball into the net from close range.

The home side continued to drive forward in the hunt for their second throughout the early stages. Lewington caught onto Mortimer’s pass, but she was unable to drive forward as the referee called for offside.

Having said that, Dryburgh, unfazed by the deficit, were defiant in exposing weak spots as they attempted to break forward. However, Bo’ness held firm as Brown’s shot was easily collected by Killgalon.

Bo’ness went agonisingly close to doubling their lead in the 15th minute as Hay sprinted past Farquharson to face an empty net, but she was unable to ascertain her composure of the ball as her effort went wide.

As the first half progressed, United continued to assert their dominance as Dryburgh struggled to divert possession away from their own half.

However, the away side levelled the scoring in the 26th minute, courtesy of McKechnie as she latched onto a low cross to rocket the ball past Killgalon and into the top left-hand corner.

Despite that, the home side hauled themselves back into the lead five minutes later. The ball was collected by Honeyford in the edge of the box, who unleashed a powerful strike beyond Farquharson’s reach and into the top right-hand corner.

In what was a frantic conclusion to the first period, Dryburgh came close to another equaliser as Lord’s effort looked goalbound, only for it to rattle the bar. Having said that, the match was soon back on level terms, thanks to an own goal in the 43rd minute. Campopiano connected onto the opposition’s corner, only to head the ball into her own net, as the scoreline was finely poised going into the interval.

Proceedings were closely contested at the beginning of the second half with the first opportunity falling to Bo’ness. Laurie was caught in a one-on-one with the keeper in the 50th minute, but she struggled to maintain possession of the ball and Farquharson collected with ease.

There was little to report as the match reached the hour mark with neither team seriously testing either keeper. Brown tried her luck for the away side in the 62nd minute with a menacing effort at goal, but Killgalon crouched low to make the necessary save.

Dryburgh took the lead for the first time in the 70th minute after Brown was judged to be fouled inside the box. The 17-year-old calmly dispatched the spot-kick past Killgalon to burrow the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

This led to the away side enduring intense pressure as United attempted to push bodies forward. Honeyford gained possession for United in the 75th minute as she attempted a shot from outside the box, but it was denied by Farquharson. This was evident again in the 80th minute as Lewington made a dangerous beeline for the target, but Farquharson blocked the ball with her foot.

Dryburgh’s resilience was broken as Bo’ness scored their third of the afternoon in the 85th minute, which ultimately forced the match to extra time. A long-arching ball was squared to Lewington, who squeezed the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the net.

The visitors had the first clear-cut chance in the 94th minute as Brown shrugged off opposition players to power forward, but Killgalon was on hand to swiftly intercept. Killgalon thwarted Lord on two occasions in the 102nd and 103rd minute as Dryburgh enjoyed the upper hand, with the majority of possession during the first period.

Dryburgh started the second half of extra time in the same vein as the first with Lockett’s free-kick going narrowly wide and Lord’s effort from a tight angle denied by the keeper in the 107th and 109th minute respectively. Meanwhile, at the other end, a corner kick from Bo’ness stroked the side netting. There was little worth of note in the concluding minutes as the referee signalled for penalties.

Campbell netted the first penalty for Bo’ness before Dryburgh missed, which allowed Lewington to add United’s second. Lockett pulled one back for the visitors, while Lewington ensured United maintained their lead, but not before Middleton knocked home a second spot-kick for the away side. Honeyford slotted in United’s fourth as Farquharson drilled in Dryburgh’s third. However, Paterson failed to hit the target as the final went to sudden death.

Bayo and Hay scored their respective spot-kicks before Hughes’s strike was saved by Killgalon as Bo’ness were crowned champions.

Bo’ness United Player of the Match: Ava Lewington

The youngster was calmly composed as she struck home the equaliser which ultimately forced the match to extra time.

Dryburgh Athletic Player of the Match: Chloe Lord

The 18-year-old was consistently a thorn in Bo’ness United’s defence as she executed opportunities in front of goal, which unfortunately didn’t hit the target.

Bo’ness United Magic Moment:

Lewington’s equaliser in the 85th minute which was well deserved after relentless pressure from Bo’ness in the final minutes of normal time.

Dryburgh Athletic Magic Moment:

McKechnie’s equaliser shortly before the half hour mark in the first half, which set the tone for what was to be an incredibly close match with fine margins.