Vale give Rangers the blues

Published on Saturday 22 March 2008 09:36

IT was a case of third-time lucky for Hutchison Vale under-16s in their Scottish Youth FA Cup quarter-final tie away to Rangers SABC.

This game, which had been postponed on the previous two weekends due to rain, finally went ahead at the third attempt at Nethercraigs Sports Centre.

For once, the weather was perfect for football – dry, no wind and not too cold and Hutchison Vale strolled into the semi-final with a 3-1 victory but the Edinburgh side could so easily have scored four or five goals.

The Capital outfit, coached by Chris Smith, looked the more composed side from the start, passing the ball from defence through the five-man midfield and that caused problems for the Glasgow side's defence.

A couple of minutes into the game, the pacey Gary Waddell sprinted down the right side and whipped the ball over the pitch to meet James Elliot's outstretched right foot, the ball flying over the bar by inches. Rangers had their first shot on goal in the 16th minute, but that was easily knocked away by Vale keeper Daniel Gunn.

Just before half-time, Greg Paterson went off on a great run right down the right wing, evading his opponents before sending over a great cross into the Rangers' goalmouth where the ball was deflected into the net by a defender to give Vale a 1-0 lead.

That goal acted as a spur to Vale and they almost got a second when a shot by the in-form James Elliot went just wide of the upright. However, the Capital club still led 1-0 at the half-way stage.

On the restart, David Welsh powered a great shot past the home keeper to put Vale 2-0 ahead.

Rangers battled hard to get back into the game, perhaps too hard, resulting in a couple of bookings for over-zealous tackles.

The two Vale central midfielders, Aaron Scott and Greg Paterson, were the unfortunate targets of most of the tackles, leaving the field at the end of the game bruised and battered. The Edinburgh team kept up the pressure on the Rangers goal and they were rewarded with a third goal in the 59th minute, with Welsh setting up Elliot to score.

Welsh came off for Ryan D'Angelo, who was unlucky not to increase the scoring almost immediately with his shot being skilfully stopped by the Rangers goalie.

With five minutes left, Rangers scored to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and that goal ensured a frantic last few minutes with the Glasgow side throwing everyone forward to save the game.

Vale's defence were at full stretch and goalkeeper Gunn produced a great save to tip a net-bound shot over the bar. After what seemed to be an inordinate amount of extra time, the final whistle blew and Vale now go on to play their semi-final on Sunday, April 6, against either Westerton or Kilsyth Rangers.

Hutchison Vale: Daniel Gunn, Greg Paterson, Lewis Brown, Fraser Greig, Dale Mackenzie, Aaron Scott, Stephen McGinn, Ryan D'Angelo, Gary Waddell, Dale Cleeton, David Welsh, James Elliot, Alex Brown.

LEITH ATHLETIC under-17s will host Woodside Boys' Club, from Glenrothes, in the semi-final of the Scottish Youth FA Cup at the top-class facility at Penicuik Juniors Stadium, on Sunday, March 30, with a 2.00pm kick-off. Admission is 3.00 for adults and 1.00 for kids and concessions. While Hutchison Vale under-16s enjoyed their quarter-final win over Rangers SABC in Glasgow, Edinburgh City under-13s were sailing into their age-group final with a 2-1 win over Airdrie United.

Hard luck, though, to Musselburgh Windsor, who went down 3-2 to Glenafton Athletic in the other under-13 semi-final.

Semi-finals dates and venues to date:

Under-14: Milton Stars BC v Albion BC (Sunday, April 6, at Brandon Park, Bellshill, 2.00pm).

Under-15: Albion BC v Syngenta Juvs (Sunday, April 6, at 2.00pm, venue to be confirmed).

Under-16: Hutchison Vale v Westerton Utd or Kilsyth Rangers BC (Sunday, April 6, at 2.00pm, venue to be confirmed).

Under-17: Leith Ath v Woodside (Sunday, March 30, at Penicuik Juniors FC, 2.00pm).

Under-19: Drumchapel Utd v Townhead Ams (Sunday, April 6, at 2.00pm, venue to be confirmed); Port Glasgow v Bonnyton Th or St Andrew's BC (Sunday, April 6, venue to be confirmed).

Under-21: Harmony Row YC v Knightswood Juvs (Sunday, March 30, at Dunterlie Park, Arthurlie JFC, Barrhead, 2.00pm); Goldenhill BC v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic A (Sunday, March 30, at Glenhead Park, Duntocher, 2.00pm).

THERE are no fixtures tomorrow for the lower age groups in the Eastern Region Youth FA due to the Easter holidays.

Clubs who are competing the various youth tournaments throughout the country can submit small reports, preferably with pictures, to [e-mail] for publication in the Local Heroes section of the Evening News.