Edina triumph in 14-goal thriller to clinch title

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 11:11

EDINA HIBS were crowned South East Region Youth FA under-13 Division One champions after a 9-5 victory over Spartans, in what was a fantastic play-off final at Gyle Recreation Ground.

In what was this massive league's final game of an action-packed season, Edina completed a double in a thrilling high-scoring affair.

The tone was set in the first minute when Spartans' Blair Atkinson lofted the ball over Edina keeper Daniel Kerr and into the corner of the net. The boys in green drew themselves level eight minutes later, Jordan Brown scoring with a powerful effort from the edge of the area after a corner was only partially cleared.

They took the lead in similar fashion on 16 minutes, Dylan Clark's left-footed strike finding the net after a lovely turn on the edge of the box.

The big No.8 added to his tally ten minutes later, making it 3-1 after playing a one-two with Sam Nicol and driving the ball across Bruce Scott and into the bottom corner of the net.

Spartans were struggling to get to grips with the opposition's energy and quick passing, although they got themselves back into the game shortly before half-time. A defensive clearance was charged down and Atkinson's snap shot bounced over Kerr and into the net to make it 3-2.

However, it didn't take long for Edina to restore their two-goal advantage after the break. Brown was played in on the left-hand side and sent his first-time shot over Scott.

Not for the last time in this see-saw match, Spartans responded swiftly. Scott Ewan's shot was parried at the near post by Kerr and Azad Fahri headed home the resulting corner.

Edina again restored their two-goal cushion when Andrew Mair enjoyed a fortunate break of the ball that allowed him to advance on goal, the midfielder keeping his composure to dispatch the ball past Scott and the covering Spartans defenders. The game seemed to be over when Conor Welsh finished after being played in behind on 50 minutes to make it 6-3. However, Spartans again rallied and two goals in five minutes added to the nerves on the Edina touchline.

First, Darren McGrath hit the byline on the right, cutting the ball back to the impressive Fahri, who grabbed his second of the game. The margin was reduced to one soon after.

Blair Atkinson controlled a wayward pass out of defence before sending a wonderful strike over Kerr from distance, completing his hat-trick. The momentum seemed to be with the boys in red and white until Edina finally settled the match in emphatic fashion.

Jonathan Court nodded home at the far post after a cross from the right before Ross Anderson found the target with a shot from outside the box.

As if 13 goals hadn't provided sufficient entertainment for the gathered masses, Edina finished in style with the goal of the game. A crisp passing move down the left flank enabled Clark to deliver the ball left-footed into the centre, where Welsh arrived on cue to send a first-time volley in off the post. While the title went to Edina, both teams must be given credit for producing a fantastic end-to-end match, in what was a fitting finale to the league season.

Spartans: Bruce Scott, Elliot Carruthers, Scott Ewan, Jamie Dishington, Lee Harribine, David Scobie, Darren McGrath, Azad Fahri, Blair Atkinson, Stephen Havelin, Kris Buchanan, Peter Connelly, Duncan Player, Blair Lawson.

Edina Hibs: Daniel Kerr, Jonathan Court, Sam Nicol, Cameron Gleave, William Macphee, John Pearson, Andrew Mair, Dylan Clark, Jordan Brown, Ross Anderson, Louis Luke, Callum Speedie, Conor Welsh, Cameron Waddell, Max Landles.

Referee: Ian Taylor.