Eastside Rapids lift the cup after victory against Leith Athletic

It was a glorious morning at Broadwood Stadium for the first Inspire Scottish Youth FA Cup Final of the day as Leith Athletic faced Eastside Rapids for an all Edinburgh final in Cumbernauld.

Leitch Athletics route to the final saw the Black and Whites defeat Spartans FC in the 1st round, then later on in the quarter finals it was a 3-1 victory against Broxburn Athletic and then a comfortable semi final for the athletics as they put 4 past Thorn Athletic to cement their place inthe final. Meanwhile for the rapids a 6-0 demolition versus Blackburn United in the 1st stage of the competition, fast forward to the quarter final a tougher challenge for Eastside as only 1 goal separated them and Knightswood and finally in the semi final a statement 6-2 triumph up against Glasgow club Rossvale proved to be enough to find themselves in the final 2 of the competition.

The final had begun and it didn’t take long for Eastside Rapids to get underway with winger Tommy Hogg threading through a delicate pass for Lumsden however his strike, saved brilliantly by Ben Rowley. Then Leith Athletic were awarded a free kick in a great position and up stepped Jude Lee Allan whose attempt hit the orange wall but somehow it found itself going towards goal which triggered a great stop by Kerr Dagleish. Just before the break Christian Lumsden put in a great cross on the left hand side which was met by Hogg who took a cushioned touch down then the half-volley striking the bottom corner to break the deadlock and to put the Rapids 1-0 in front going into half time.

In the second period Eastside were on top to start off with both Hogg and Lumsden getting balls into the penalty area with the best chance coming for Brodie Sainsbury who swiped an effort towards goal but Regan Barnet on the goal line to clear. The second half was end to end with both teams fighting to the last whistle and with that not many chances created nonetheless there was one last chance of the match with a great ball in from Eastsides Riley Gemmell found Jayden Milar in a perfect position to secure the cup but his curving effort brilliantly saved by Ben Rowley.

The whistle blew which meant Eastside Rapids were champions after a difficult match up with Leith Athletic they battled from the first minute to the last and now with the rapids 6 points off of Leith in the league plus the 2 cup finals yet to play could Eastside Rapids pull off the quadruple?

Full time in the U15s inspiresport Scottish Youth FA Cup Final Leith Athletic 0-1 Eastside Rapids.

Leith Athletic Player of the match:

Nathan Hill was a dangerous force in the middle and his feet work at times was incredible, getting Leitch athletic forward with his fast feet and powerful running especially towards the end of the second half.

Eastside Rapids Player of the match:

I believe it was the goalscorer Tommy Hogg, not only the well taken goal but the amount of corner, free kicks and chances he got for the Rapids, also his matchup with Jack Otway which got feisty at times however it did create entertaining moments down the right right hand side.

Leith Athletics Magic Moment:

I’d say Leith’s best chance of the game came from the deflective free kick from Allen which did look to be the opener however the foot of Kerr Dagleish keeping it goalless.

Eastside Rapids Magic Moment:

It has to be the deciding goal which secured a historic day forthe Rapids taken expertly from Tommy Hogg before the break.