Football: Hutchie Vale in cruise control with Carse the driving force

Published on Saturday 20 June 2009 11:25

HUTCHISON VALE under-15s racked up six goals to crush a depleted Bonnyrigg Rose and clinch the Division 1 League Cup at Gyle Recreation Ground.

A riveting opening stage saw Hutchie's slick passing game galvanised by the combative nature and enthusiasm of their livewire forward Dean Carse.

The Midlothian side's chances weren't aided by an immediate numerical disadvantage. Rose lined up with just ten fit and registered outfield players after a section of the team reportedly walked out on the club in the week preceding the match.

While adverts may pervade the television promoting energy drinks, dieting fads and everyday pick-me-ups, we could all do worse than stick to whatever Vale striker Carse is on.

His rampant eagerness was infectious and, more importantly, contributed greatly to the game's first two goals.

After a quarter of an hour, he robbed Rose defender Jamie Knox of the ball at the corner flag and delivered a tantalising cross into the heart of the penalty area – all in one smart move.

Centre forward Alan Clark was perfectly positioned to head home past goalkeeper Robbie Dickson from close range to put Hutchie one goal to the good.

Rose appeared like a side used to fighting injustice, and it was testament to those players who did turn up that they were very much in the game throughout the 80 minutes.

They build them big in Bonnyrigg – whether their "widening" horizontal red and white stripes proved a trick of the eye or not – and the added stature was a key element to Rose's combative game.

Ryan Somerville could have equalised soon after the opening goal after springing the offside trap, but his shot flew wide of Callum Gemmell's goal.

On the half-hour, Hutchie doubled their lead after some daring trickery by Niall Doherty. The midfielder jinked past two defenders on the edge of the area, then dropped his shoulder to eliminate a third man before shooting. The effort was blocked, but Carse was on hand to sweep the ball into the net from eight yards out.

Vale by no means overran their opponents in terms of possession, but were able to add to their 2-0 lead with a further four goals – conceding just one in reply – with some clinical second-half finishing.

Clark timed his forward run in the 41st minute to the millisecond, beating the Bonnyrigg offside effort and managing a head-start on the opponents' defence.

Running on to the forward ball, he casually slotted past the advancing Dickson to make it three.

It was then the turn of Rose's Craig Bonar to show off his shooting prowess, resulting in the most spectacular goal of the game on 55 minutes.

Liam Fellenger illegally halted a Bonnyrigg attack 25 yards from Gemmell's goal, and Bonar struck the ball with a wicked swerve over the defensive wall, past the goalkeeper, and into the net via the crossbar.

In the final 20 minutes, Hutchie converted a hat-trick of chances to increase their lead as a beleaguered Bonnyrigg tired.

Scott Gray raced into the area before sliding the ball past Dickson on the hour. Then, a brace of strikes inside 60 seconds with seven minutes remaining took the score to 6-1.

John McInally's deft header to redirect a goalward free-kick outfoxed the Rose defence and flew into the net, then McInally supplied Shaun Meikle with a precise pass forward to allow the midfielder to toe the ball beyond Dickson.

Hutchie coach Tam Smith said the match was a result of "a season's work".

"The two teams were trying to play football out there," he went on. "There was good movement, I thought, and the stuff we work on week in, week out was coming to fruition.

"There's a lot to look forward to for the team. We're heading off to Sweden for the Gothia Cup, and nine of the squad are attracting interest from professional clubs."

Hutchison Vale: Callum Gemmell, Mike Langdale, Gareth Rodger, Shaun Meikle, Todd Smith, Liam Fellenger, Scott Gray, Niall Doherty, Alan Clark, Callum Donnelly, Ross Brady, Chris Deignon, John McInally, Dean Carse.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Robbie Dickson, Ryan Scott, Jamie Knox, Lee Brown, Craig Bonar, Ryan Somerville, Christopher Kane, Haydn Crane, Christopher Jamieson, Colin McKillop.