Valiant Vale go the extra distance to book final slot

Published on Saturday 12 April 2008 11:02

AFTER a late switch of venue, the semi-final of the under-17 City Financial Edinburgh South East Region Cup between Hutchison Vale and Edinburgh City produced a game packed full of action, drama and goals.

Moved from Sighthill to Muirhouse, both sides went at each other with all guns blazing and, with honours shared after regulation time, Vale will appear at Dunbar on finals day on May 31 after a 5-2 extra-time victory.

Although Vale were victorious, it was Edinburgh City who drew first blood through mazy play by No.9 Ryan Wilson.

The small striker troubled both full-backs on either side of the pitch all game, but found it difficult to replicate his sweet strike again.

City dominated the early play with inventive passing from Scott Huston and goal threats through Craig Thompson and Joe Bickmore.

Indeed, Bickmore and Huston were the catalysts for most of City's play through the middle of the park and were quick to test Vale keeper Adam Lewis.

Vale soon grabbed a goal back when a free-kick was floated into the box and with the bounce of the ball deceiving the City defenders, Ross Milne slotted home after a scramble.

With Vale's confidence rising, Mark Law latched on to a neat cross from the right and the ball ended up in the back of City's net, but the forward's challenge on out-coming keeper Euan Higgins – who was left spread-eagled on the deck – was judged to have been illegal and a foul was awarded.

City's Bickmore – who had impressed throughout as a promising box-to-box midfielder – made it 2-1 when he headed home a fine, floated free-kick from Scott Finlayson.

But City's inability to perform their defensive duties cost them a place in the final and Challum Manson's equalised with a header to take the game into extra-time.

The first half of extra-time was uneventful and goalless but, in the final phase, Vale appeared to gain a second wind and goals were soon coming thick and fast. Law, who had tested the City goal for most of the game, was at last rewarded for his efforts and Paul Cameron, who looked suspiciously offside, swept the ball over Higgins, who was caught in no-man's land.

There was now no letting up from Vale and they sealed their place in the final when Mark Weatherburn timed his run perfectly to receive a pass from a free-kick and hit home.

Hutchison Vale: Adam Lewis, Steven Quinn, Mark Weatherburn, Ross Milne, Keir Blaikie, Paul Cameron, Challum Manson, Fraser Duncan, Martin Brown, James Guy, Mark Law, Ross Shields, Norman Lawson, Sean Gillies, James Watson, Steven Loughrie, Keir Blackwood, Callum French.

Edinburgh City: Euan Higgins, Ben Short, Tristan Tinning, Billy Ferguson, Neil Turnbull, Scott Houston, Denholm Pennycuick, Greig Paris, Ryan Wilson, Joe Bickmore, Craig Thompson, Paul Morgan, Scott Davidson, Scott Finlayson, Gordon Donaldson, James Lamb.