Edinburgh South U13s edge past Musselburgh Windsor in South East League Cup

Despite leaving it late, the Edinburgh South Panthers U13s Girls progressed to the South East League Cup second round after a strong 2-1 victory versus Musselburgh Windsor Whites.

Musselburgh Windsor came into this game having not played this season since moving up the age groups in December. The Panthers had already played one game in the league, which was a loss.

The two sides met for a pre-season friendly finishing in a goalless draw. Coach Russel Sanders said he felt that his side was the better of the two in the 70 minutes.

But it wasn’t meant to be this time as it was his side that were on the wrong end of an 85th-minute goal.

Both teams had a solid opening 15 minutes with neither side managing to take the lead. Edinburgh South were the better team on the ball but couldn’t break down Musselburgh’s back line. 

In the 16th minute though, Miley Monkhouse is taken down in the box and a penalty was given but the resulting effort was saved by Evie Kirkhope – the replacement goalkeeper for Musselburgh as their starting keeper was injured in training. Kirkhope continued to make good saves for the remainder of the match, keeping her side in the game.

Just five minutes after the penalty, Mhairi Donaghue went on a brilliant run to get herself into the Windsor box. Her effort forced a nice save from Kirkhope but the ball fell to Miley Munson who tapped it in to open the scoring.

Going into the break, both teams knew there was something more from this game, Musselburgh could level the game and take the victory and Edinburgh South knew they could seal the game off early after missing good chances.

In the second half, the game was similar with Windsor remaining defensively strong and Edinburgh South controlling the ball well.

With 10 minutes to go in the game, Violet Thomson was fouled in the box forcing the referee to award a penalty to Musselburgh Windsor. Captain Ellie Sanders scores a brilliant penalty into the bottom left corner to equal the scoring and send the game to extra time.

Extra time was not ideal for either team given the Baltic conditions. The players were most definitely feeling tired on their return to competitive football.

The teams went back and forth throughout extra time, trying to break each other down but no real great chances arose. However, that all changed five minutes before it went to penalties. Miley doubled her tally with a comfortable finish to win the game for Edinburgh South after an incredible game of football.

Commiserations to Musselburgh Windsor, the season is still young so there are still chances to bounce back and find form. Congratulations to Edinburgh South who advance into the next round of the South East League Cup.

Edinburgh South Panthers Players of the Match:

The two time goalscorer Miley Munson played well, was all over the defeinsive line and knew exactly where to be to score the goals. Mhairi Donaghue also played brilliantly at the front with Munson. She was comfortable on the ball, got a fair few shots off at goal and was unlucky to add to her teams tally.

Musselburgh Windsor Whites Players of the Match:

Goalkeeper Evie Kirkhope was phenomenal, keeping her team in the battle with great saves despite not having a lot of experience in goals in a team hampered by injuries. The goalscorer and captain Ellie Sanders was good too, a strong defensive performance capped off with the equalising goal.

Edinburgh South Panthers Magic Moment:

For Edinburgh South, the late winner which came in dramatic fashion. Miley Munson remained calm to send, not only the ball into the back of the net, but her team into the second round of the cup.

Musselburgh Windsor Whites Magic Moment:

The magic moment in this match for the home side Musselburgh Windsor was definitely the equaliser. After staying strong and vigilant the whole game they looked for the one chance to give them hope. And that chance paid off as McFerrin fired her penalty into the left hand side of the goal.