New season is off to a flyer for youngters

Published on Wednesday 20 August 2008 10:33

NEWCRAIGHALL Leith Vics and Edinburgh United under-13s shared the spoils after kicking off a new season in the Lothian Buses Leagues.

Edinburgh United scored an equaliser in the very last minute to make it 2-2.

Young match official Scott Gilchrist also enjoyed a trouble-free game, with all the players, coaches and spectators contributing to a wonderful Sunday morning at Newcraighall Park.

Edinburgh United under-13s have great help from former professional Steve Maskrey, who helps with the coaching of the players and his influence clearly showed in the first half when they looked to be better organised.

The home side were made to work hard in defence to stem the tide of attacks on their goal, particularly in the early stages.

The standard set from the opening whistle was maintained throughout the first half, with the ball being passed about well and the only downside being a lack of goals.

Vics, when they broke away, also showed their credentials as a well-coached side, with centre-forward Dean Ballantyne switching play well.

Jordan Grant and Joseph Fennell also looked sharp when Vics mounted attacks on the visitors' goal.

The second half was much better, with four goals to cheer.

The Edinburgh United contingent were first to celebrate, with Euan Lannon sending a great free-kick hurtling in towards the home goal. Vics keeper Craig Ewart got his hands to the ball but could not halt it going into the back of the net in the 11th minute of the second half.

First blood to United, but going 1-0 down spurred Vics into action.

Their midfielders tackled brilliantly in the visitors' half of the pitch and the pattern of the game changed dramatically when Sandy Watt scored a cracker of an equaliser in the 18th minute.

The Vics player made space for himself to the left of the United goal and he finished off the move with a glorious left-foot shot past goalkeeper Sean Brennan.

It was game on after that and play really opened up. Vics defender Zack Szimis had a pop at the United goal and it was the turn of the visiting side to defend.

After non-stop attacking moves at both ends of the pitch, Vics got themselves in front for the first time when a shot from Grant found the back of the United net. Brennan got his hands to the ball, but he couldn't stop it going over the line.

But this game was not over and it was the unmarked Lannon again who was perfectly placed when the ball came over from the right and the strongly-built United No.10 hammered the ball past Ewart to make it 2-2 in the very last minute.

It was a great finish to a marvellous game of football and both teams have set themselves a standard for the rest of the season.

What happened on the field of play was matched by the magnificent sporting behaviour on both touchlines.

No-one either shouted or bawled at any of the young players and the sportsmanship shown by the adults set a good example for others to follow.

It was quite magnificent and I was sorry when Gilchrist blew for time up. I did not hear anyone shouting at this smart young match official and he gave the best possible verdict when he said: "It was a really great game."

Every boy that contributed to this high-quality opener to the season deserves the praise, including my own grandson!

Newcraighall Leith Vics: Craig Ewart, Kyle Knox, Zack Szimis, Robbie Martin, Stuart Mackay, Adam Forsyth, Sam Tulloch, Dean Ballantyne, Jordan Grant, Joseph Fennell, Cayne Moffat, Sandy Watt, Cameron Watt.

Edinburgh United: Sean Brennan, Liam Gallacher, Alan Downie, Craig Galloway, Calum Livingstone, Liam Forbes, David Maskrey, Calum Windram, Euan Lannon, Cameron Tully, Neil Spiers, Craig Logan, Jamie Connor, Greg Binnie, James McGregor.

Referee: Scott Gilchrist.