Collins calls the tune for on-song Vale to tame Colts

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 09:26

HUTCHISON VALE overwhelmed their Colts counterparts with a resounding 6-2 victory at Roseburn and secured their place in the under-13 City Financial Edinburgh South East Region Cup final.

Spectators struggling to make their way to the pitch through the boggy fields in the shadow of Murrayfield Stadium would have missed a quick-fire opening double for Vale, which set them on the road to victory despite a spirited showing from the club's Colts outfit.

After racing into a two-goal lead within a few minutes after Harry Moore had tapped in at the back post from a long ball and Kevin Keane smashed a volley high into the net from a corner, Vale's midfield – Connor McGregor, Jamie Collins and Lewis Scott – controlled the pace of play and contributed no little skill to a keenly-contested semi-final clash.

The tricky Collins set McGregor through on goal on 20 minutes with a view to trebling Vale's lead, but the diminutive No.5 drove his shot wide of Grant Steele's goal. Collins himself stole in ten minutes later to net himself, however, and Vale must already have had one eye on the final with just half an hour played.

With his white boots a blur as he surged into the box to meet a left-wing cross, Collins beat defender Robbie Murray to the ball and swept a close-range finish past Steele.

Colts, seemingly down and out at three down, managed to convert their impressive resilience into a consolation strike on the stroke of half-time. Cailean Gall's right-wing free-kick swung wickedly into the box and caused Vale's defence all sorts of problems and, as the ball pinged from head to head in opposing attempts to clear or score, Daniel Rixon was well placed to head the ball into the net.

Colts' goalkeeper Steele almost single-handedly added to Vale's lead shortly after half-time. Having looked to have caught and held Jamie Tubby's cross, Steele then lost control of the ball and presented Lewis Ross with a gilt-edged opportunity, but the young forward skied his panicked effort from six yards.

Two minutes later, the young custodian was unfortunate to commit a similar error – this time with a more definitive consequence.

Again fumbling a cross from the right, Steele's defence might have been more co-ordinated in their attempts to clear the ball from the goal line, but the ball crept into the net and gave Vale their fourth goal of the morning.

Colts may lack what Vale possess in flair and skill, but the side is full of youngsters with battling qualities. Bradley Rixon did his best to restore some pride in the Colts ranks with a powerful forward run, but was denied as he bore down on goal by a superb last-ditch tackle by Chris Galloway.

In a similar move on 55 minutes, Ross showed everyone the way to goal with a glorious run from midfield that resulted in Vale's fifth.

Bursting through from halfway, Ross found his way past a sparse Colts defence, threaded his way into the box and toed the ball past Steele into the bottom right-hand corner.

Collins was the standout player of the match, superb in midfield as he performed drag-backs and sprayed simple but effective passes from the centre. His endeavour was rewarded with a goal five minutes from time, Collins holding off Colin Jeffrey and cutting into the penalty area before side-footing the ball past Steele.

Colts, much to their credit, had the game's final say as they bowed out of the competition, scoring a second goal in the dying seconds.

From nothing more than a long, hopeful ball forward, Marc Berry showed marvellous composure to take the ball under control and coolly slot under goalkeeper Hunter.

Hutchison Vale: Jordan Hunter, Jamie Tubby, Kevin Keane, Lewis Scott, Connor McGregor, Chris Galloway, Jamie Collins, Harry Moore, Lewis Ross, Jason Coyle, Jaxon Wishart, Ben Hughes, Shaun Green, Mark Horsburgh, Matthew Joint.

Hutchison Vale Colts: Grant Steele, Daniel Rixon, Lewis Miller, Robbie Murray, Kenny Gibson, Jack McIntyre, Bradley Rixon, Marc Berry, Cailean Gall, Michael Reid, Bruce Gorrie, Colin Jeffrey, Calvin Muttitt, Blair Lawson, Greg McCrudden.