Liberton apply pressure to leaders with Currie win

The game was perfectly poised; both teams having fairly even league records, and both pushing for one target, promotion to the second division. The weather didn’t disappoint either, as the sun appeared in the autumn sky to delay the cold, wet conditions of winter football for at least one more weekend.

Liberton started off the better team and immediately took the game to Currie Star, Daniel Holland shooting wide from 20 yards.

On 6 minutes Liberton’s early pressure paid off and they took the lead. Keiran Dickson’s through ball was intercepted by Currie Star keeper Niall Simpson but he couldn’t prevent Grant Chappell from netting to make it 1-0.

Currie Star quickly won a corner in reply to the early goal, but they could have found themselves two down when the corner broke down and Liberton raced up the other end, only to be denied again by the goalkeeper.

Next it was Sean Gilhooley’s turn to beat the Currie keeper, but his shot was well saved by the outstretched leg of keeper Simpson.

Again Currie went in pursuit of a goal, moving the ball forward quickly to try and find Murray Wells up front. However, the Liberton defence was looking formidable and Currie failed to create a chance worthy of a goal in the first half.

Liberton thought they had made it 2-0 right on halftime, but the goal was judged to be offside, and the half would end 1-0.

Half Time: Currie Star Under 14s 0-1 Liberton United FC Under 14s

In the second half, Currie came out of the blocks firing with more urgency and a new lease of life after their halftime team talk. They pushed forward in an attempt to get an equaliser early in the second half.

But in doing so, Currie Star lefts gaps and were susceptible to the Liberton counter attack. And that’s exactly how Liberton scored their second. A clearance was played over the top from the Liberton defence, and found Grant Chappell who ignored the offside claims from the home team, to lob over the keeper from 12 yards. A harsh goal to lose at a bad time for Currie, who had significantly improved their performance from the first half, and were growing more confident in the match.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, both teams took turns to have efforts on goal; Cameron Oag sent a shot over the Currie crossbar from 20 yards before Murray Wells’ shot came back off the Liberton post in a frantic spell, which may have seen Currie pull themselves back into the match had luck been on their side.

But it was a day of joy for the Liberton United forwards, and in particular Grant Chappell, who  rolled in a third after latching onto a through ball. The lead was thoroughly deserved for Liberton and all but ensured the away side would leave Dovecot Park with the three points.

The third goal did not deter Currie Star though, and they had their best spell of possession in the match, keeping the ball and pushing back into their own penalty area.

Currie Star were presented with a chance to score a consolation but Nathan Johnson’s shot was blocked off the line by Jack Doyle to preserve Liberton’s clean sheet. The opposite number 10, Ben Laidlaw made it 4-0 in the 70^th minute to cap off a great performance from Liberton who remain in second, one point behind Edinburgh South.

Meanwhile Currie Star will re-group and go again next week to try and pull themselves back into the battle for promotion.