West Lothian stand firm to thwart Edina

Published on Saturday 13 June 2009 11:20

POCKET rockets West Lothian Thistle proved that size isn't everything as they beat Edina Hibs in the South East Region 13s Youth Cup final at New Countess Park, Dunbar.

Thistle, who lined up with a high proportion of sub-five footers in their side, opened the scoring with their first attack and doubled their lead shortly after half-time. Despite a resurgence by Edina thereafter, the Capital side could only rally to the tune of a solitary consolation strike.

It was a questionable penalty call by referee Gordon that gave the Bathgate underdogs the boost of a third-minute opener.

Thistle's James Drysdale was fouled by John Pearson after kicking the ball out of the defender's reach, but the ball seemed to be out of play by the time the misdemeanour had been committed.

However, a penalty was given, and man of the match Drysdale himself got up to tuck the ball into the bottom left-hand corner past Daniel Kerr.

Edina were expected to present a stern test and were installed as favourites for the cup by experts at this level of football.

Although they didn't disappoint in creating openings, an inspired goalkeeper, Scott Mitchell, as well as the thickness of the woodwork and some wayward finishing meant they were unable to get level.

On 16 minutes, Jonathan Court hit the bar for Hibs after Jordan Brown had covered extensive ground on the right wing and crossed. Ten minutes later, Court again went close, drawing a great tip over the bar by keeper Mitchell.

Edina continued in pursuit of a leveller after half-time, but Dylan Clark saw his effort run narrowly wide of Mitchell's goal.

Mitchell himself must have been particularly delighted that, two minutes later, his side raced up the field to double their lead, especially as, seconds earlier, he had been subjected to some heckling from an older member of the crowd.

Ryan Conroy silenced the heckler and, momentarily, Edina Hibs after scrambling the ball in from a corner on 47 minutes to put Thistle 2-0 ahead.

Edina, though, were not to be quietened for long, and deservedly pulled back the deficit to one through Ross Anderson on 55 minutes. Anderson sped into the box and shrugged off Thistle captain Pierce Whelan before arrowing a left-foot shot into the far corner.

Edina's Fraser Murray and John Pearson both had a pair of late opportunities to equalise, but West Lothian, backed by an army of boisterous Bathgate fans, held on to record a famous win.

Edina Hibs: Daniel Kerr, Jonathan Court, Max Landles, Cameron Gleave, William McPhee, John Pearson, Andrew Mair, Dylan Clark, Jordan Brown, George Hairs, Ross Anderson, Louis Luke, Callum Speedie, Connor Welsh, Cameron Waddell, Fraser Murray.

West Lothian Thistle: Scott Mitchell, Angus MacGregor, Hamish Mitchell, Niall Cox, Nicholas Coyne, Aidan Moffat, Luke Gibson, Ryan Conroy, Ryan Thomson, Kieran Moffat, Joe McMaster, James Drysdale, Pierce Whelan, Andrew Drysdale, Steven Dick.