Colts hold off Hearts to triumph in cracker

Published on Saturday 30 August 2008 11:55

EAST Calder Colts beat Livingston Hearts 5-4 in a real barnstorming West Lothian Youth FA under-16 league clash on the big pitch at East Calder Park after the home side just survived a great second-half fightback.

Colts were the better side in the first half and they dominated the midfield to deservedly lead 3-1 at the break in this West Lothian Youth FA league fixture.

On such a big pitch, there were acres of space and Colts capitalised on local knowledge to give the visitors a bit of a runaround, with a goal from Lee Cruikshanks and a double Ryan Santry.

Santry looked offside when he collected the ball to score East Calder's first goal and the visitors shouted for offside again when David Quigley set up Santry to score a third, but referee Dougie Kerr waved play on. Graeme Piper was on target for Livingston Hearts, but this livewire centre-forward passed up a number of good chances, particularly in the very last minute when he ballooned the ball over the bar from a great position.

Leading by two goals at the half-way stage, Colts looked to have the points in the bag, particularly as they had the advantage of the wind on the restart. Both sides tried to spring the offside trap but it was this tactic which was a significant factor in Livingston's downfall.

The very fair match official was never going to get all his offside decisions correct on such a massive pitch and the boys in maroon were clearly upset when Santry ran on to another pass through the middle of the square Livingston defence to run on and hammer a great shot over goalkeeper Jordan McAlpine to make it 4-1. That should have made the points safe for the home outfit, but going three goals adrift merely galvanised the Livingston team into action.

Piper had a shot cleared off the goal-line by Josh Starrit and the rebound was crossed back into the home goal from the left for Conor Holis to knock the ball over the line to make it 4-2. Piper wasted a chance in front of goal but Livingston were not to be denied and Adam Cutkelvin laid the ball off for Black to fire a low shot past Ross Rutherford to make it 4-3.

Livingston, however, left themselves open at the back and Craig Pilkington exposed their lack of cover with a superb run up the right andMark Warren bundled the ball over the line to make it 5-3 for Colts.

Livingston fought back again and scored a fourth when Black slotted home after another scramble in the goalmouth.

In the last minute, Murray Spooner, a very good left winger in the Livingston Hearts set-up, bored in on the home goal before laying the ball into the path of Piper, but the Livingston No.17 volleyed a powerful shot over the bar from 16 yards out to leave his team-mates – and himself – holding their heads in frustration.

It was a dramatic end to an exhilarating game that had just about everything you could hope to see in a youth club contest.

East Calder Colts: Ross Rutherford, Jack Hamilton, Lee Cruikshanks, Craig Waddell, Mark Warren, Josh Starrit, Greg Ferguson, Craig Pilkington, JJ Yeats, Ryan Santry, David Quigley, Ricky Miller.

Livingston Hearts: Jordan McAlpine, Adam Cutkelvin, Jamie Aitken, Euan Cheshire, Craig Shiach, Chris Bon, Ryan Avinou, Chris Little, Ryan Lynch, Conor Holis, Murray Spooner, David Black, Marc Thow, Joseph Murphy, Cameron Kikdae, Graeme Piper.

Referee: Dougie Kerr.