SUNNY SAUGHTON ENCLOSURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No grass cut, no, nothing at all in the way of civilised facilities, except for people, hundreds of them at all ages to see Spartans and Tynecastle under-13s go head-to-head in the final of the Lothian Buses Cup. (How I hope they all remember the state of this venue and others throughout Edinburgh when the next elections come along). This was one of two finals on the night of Friday, June 7th, 2013, and for many reasons it was possibly much more enjoyable than the fierce, far too tense, final of the under-14 Kenny McLean Cup that followed. Spartans pulled out all the stops in the under-13 final and what a game it was - and the ending was something that can usually be found in kids comics. And in keeping with such a game, the lovely, encouraging, enjoyable atmosphere created by both teams and their armies of fans made it something really special. That, I can only suggest is the correct description for all of us who care for our young people, and who were at this dump of a place to cheer them on. Support for young people is a wonderful thing, and on this occasion, I do not have to make any comment on the state of this deliberately run-down, clapped out apology of a venue for cup finals for our young people. It is supposed to be maintained by Edinburgh Leisure and if so, the buck certainly stopps there. Parents and coaches all commented on the state of the pitch and surroundings. Enough about that, however, this was a night for all the young players taking part in the final to show all of us on the sunlit terracing what they could do. I did not know which side were ‘favourtes’ to win. In the circumstances, what followed spoke for itself. Tynecastle started brightly with No 9, Craig Ferrier, the fore. A good shot at the Spartans goal was held, confidently, by goalie, Mitlchell Haddow, No 1 on the team-sheet. Play switched to the other end and Spartans No 7, Josh Slow-Clayton, sent in a high lob/shot at the Tynecastle goal and there were shouts for ‘hand ball’ but experienced referee, Ronnie Livingston, waved play on with a smile on his face. This was, indeed, a game that brought out lots of smiles from those basking in the sunshine. And Spartans fans certainly had the broadest grins on their faces as their side mounted attacks on the Tynecastle goal. Aaron Wilson, No 12, looked good for the boys in maroon. And what was that? A super passing move by Spartans saw the ball switched from Slow-Clayton to Robbie Lamb (12) then on to No 11, Kalvin Nicol. That move broke down and then it was Tynecastle that looked dangerous with Ferrier racing through in pursuit of a through ball. Haddow won the race for the ball and the danger was cleared. Then the Spartans goalie was caught away off his line in another Tynecastle attack, but defenders stepped in to clear again as Dylan Brown (10) lined up a shot. Not a dull moment, and none from then on either. Spartans again produced a sparkling passing move and they won a free-kick in a good position. Robbie Lamb’s delivery was good and Andrew Dempster (9) made a great attempt to get to the ball but it ran away from him. When Tynecastle threatened at the other end, it took a great tackle from Spartans No 2, Taylor Gillon (a very good player) to bring that to an end. Tynecastle were forced in to defence when another good Spartans passing move on the right, threatened their goal. Kalvin Nicol (11), Daviod Whalen (4) and Slow-Clayton were involved in that move. But no goals so far, as play swung from end to end. Brothers in arms in the Tynecastle line-up, Daniel Purvis (8) and very lookalike, No 4, Jordan, emerged as two of the best young players on the pitch. Then, in the 30th minute, Spartaans fans really had something to cheer when Dempster planted the ball in the Tynecastle net when a good ball from the right found him unmarked at the back post. 1-0, therefore, to Spartans and how their fans cheered and cheered. It was, as you can imagine, shortly after when Dempster (again) found the back of the Tynecastle net to make it 2-0. David Whalen, it was, who did all the hard work in play leading up to the second goal for Spartans. And their fans? Am I allowed to use the word ‘bonkers’ as they celebrated? Tynecastle lifted themselves and Todd Teviotdale had a good shot headed away by Spartans No 6, Keiran Connell (I think, but it was very hectic stuff). Teviotdale linked up with No 4, Jordan Purves, in another raid on the Spartans goal as the pace of the game increased. I have to praise Spartans No 4, David Whalen, at this stage in my report. I thought he was very good in midfield for his side. Teviotdale again, led the way when Tynecastle attacked, but Jay Corner, No 3, stepped in for Spartans and the danger was over again. At the other end, Tynecastle goalie, Jordan Brown, saved bravely at the feet of Dempster. A well-taken corner on the right for Spartans caused Dempster problems and he just could not get up high enough to palm the ball away. But a defender cleared away up the right and Tynecastle fans breathed again! And the same fans were roaring when a wonderful free-kick from Teviotdale on the right rebounded off the Spartans’ left-hand post. That was followed with a shot from Daniel Purves that went straight in to the hands of Spartans keeper, Mitchell Haddow. A wee break for me at this stage. I have to gather my thoughts before I describe what happened in the second half. And what a second half it was. Celebrations and despair in abundance and the finish to beat all finishes for Tynecastle. At the start of the second stage of this game there was a marked difference about the Tynecastle players. They looked much more determined! And the tide really turned in their favour when Craig Ferrier got on to the end of a massive high cross from the right, delivered by perpetual motion himself, Jordan Purves. And that made it 2-1 for Spartans. Hold on to your seats, there is a lot, lot more to come! Conner Young, No 17 in Spartans colours, felt the full force of a badly timed tackle from Tynecastle No 14, Lewis Grant-McClure. No damage done, however and play continued with a free-kick to Spartans. Holy smoke, it was red-hot action at the Enclosure and in the 13th minute of the second half, the party on the Tynecastle side of the big pitch got underway when a superb pass out of defence by Teviotdale (how I like that name) set No 10 away on a run to the right of the Spartans goal. Despite the attentions of two big defenders, Dylan Brown finished off his run with a stunning strike to make it level at 2-2. Wow! And Wow again! It was a real shoot-out in the sun at the Enclosure! The Spartans players regrouped and - let the good times roll - it was just marvellous to watch the teams in action. Robbie Lamb was immense for Spartans! The Tynecastle defence looked very solid, particularly No 5, Ciaran McKenzie and his partner in central defence, No 12, Aaron Wilson, as the game moved up a pace. It was, I have to say, a wee bit chaotic in the Spartans goalmouth at times. Shots blocked, deflected away and corners galore for Tynecastle. You name it, it all happened in the closing stages of this final that appeared to me to be heading for extra time. Neither side was, it appeared, to give an inch to the other. It was a time for all the players on both sides to show real character. Heroes all, every player that contributed to the enjoyment of this Lothian Buses final. And then came the finish! In the very last minute of the game, Tynecastle attacked the Spartans goal on the right and my, oh, my, a free-kick from Aaron Wilson was fired in to the Spartans net by Tynecastle No 6, Callum Bremner. That made it 3-2 and the final whistle went almost immediately after. Then came a mini pitch invasion as the celebrating Tynecastle side were engulfed by everyone and their uncle it seemed. Poor, poor Spartans. They put so much in to the game and when they led 2-0 they looked very comfortable. But the second half belonged to Tynecastle. Peter Sargent presented the lovely individual awards to both teams and then handed over a very handsome trophy indeed to Tynecastle and the party really began. Mr Sargent also revealed Lothian Buses intended to sponsor the SERYFA Leagues for another two years. That brought out more applause on a night to remember at Saughton Enclosure. It was a wonderful final marked once more by good behaviour and sportsmanship for everyone at his venue. It was, indeed, a very good night for the image of football in Scotland. So civilised and enjoyable. Thanks to everyone who took part in a real gala night if ever I have seen one! Tynecastle - Lewis Alexander, Aaron Wilson, Callum Bremner, Dylan Brown, Jordan Brown, Craig Ferrier, Aidan Lawson, Lewis Grant-McClure, Ciaran McKenzie, Robbie Telfer, Daniel Purves, Jordan Purves, Stuart Sutherland, Todd Teviotdale. Spartans - Mitchell Haddow, Taylor Gillon, Jay Corner, David Whalen, Keiran Connell, Josh Slow-Clayton, Aaron Cowper-Barrie, Andrew Dempster, Kalvin Nicol, Robbie Lamb, Craig Wylie, Alistair Hogg, Matthew Brown, Lewis McKinnon, Conner Young. Referee - Ronnie Livingston, assistants - Philip Duncan and Peter Morris.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:15:48 +0000
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