Leith feel the force as Loanhead claim glory

Published on Saturday 21 June 2008 12:30

CHAMPIONS Loanhead Miners Welfare displayed their title- winning credentials with a well-deserved win over rivals Leith Athletic in the under-16 Division 1 League Cup final at New Dundas Park, Bonnyrigg.

Leith recently triumphed in the South East Region Under-16 Cup at Dunbar but were no match for the top team in their age group as Loanhead ran out 3-1 winners in a game with no lack of bite and drama. The Midlothian side established a three-goal lead with one before the interval followed by two more before the hour-mark, while Leith hit a late consolation to see the match end 3-1.

Leith had more of the early chances but it was Loanhead who displayed more composure and patience and were eventually rewarded for their calm approach.

Loanhead goalkeeper Bryan Young denied both Leith captain Bobe Boyd and his strike partner Keith Mason early on, and it was Loanhead's first full attack on 22 minutes which resulted in the opening goal.

Conor McKillop sent the ball from the right wing to the left-hand edge of the penalty area, where Darren Clapperton took one touch before hammering the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of Andy Haggon's net. On the half-hour mark, Loanhead almost doubled their lead, Louis Swanson skipping away from his marker before hitting a long-range shot that dipped but narrowly cleared the crossbar.

After half-time, two quickfire goals concluded the outcome of the match as Loanhead showed their class. Firstly, on 50 minutes, Michael Hunter, from the central edge of the box, found the run of Clapperton with a clever pass, and the left winger doubled his goal tally by cutting in from the left-wing before shooting low under Haggon. Five minutes later, Haggon got the better of Clapperton, blocking his shot but defender Michael White's subsequent clearance was scuffed and landed at the feet of Lee Cockerell, who duly capitalised on the mistake and netted.

The crowd of around 200 was bathed in sunshine as both teams signed off from their respective seasons with mixed fortunes. Leith, though, never gave up, and pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes remaining.

Fraser Gray's header forward was latched onto by Boyd, and the skipper strode into the box, muscling past the challenges of David Greig and Ryan McQueenie before hitting the high bouncing ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Loanhead coach John Guthrie was delighted to finish the season as champions after a lot of hard work throughout the year. He said: "The cup final was just a bonus, as, to me, it means much more to win the league over a season – that's the ultimate. I'd like to pay tribute to the boys, who have performed well, as well as the coaching team."

Loanhead Miners Welfare: (GK) Bryan Young, (GK) Mark Alexander, Ryan McQueenie, Calum Hunter, Lewis Learmonth, Ali Adams, Michael Hunter, Greg Young, Christie Brown, Darren Clapperton, Conor McKillop, Louis Swanson, Bryan Young, David Greig, Lee Cockerell, Jason Risi.

Leith Athletic: Andy Haggon, Michael White, Ross Nisbet, Blair Simpson, Patrick Lewis, Douglas Ashall, Fraser Gray, Mathew Lloyd, Bobe Boyd, Keith Mason, Neil Watson, Scott Harrison, Adam Hunter, Mathew Watson.