Alyshia key to Foxes victory

Fauldhouse Foxes ensured a Lothians team will enter the semi-final draw for the under-13 Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup after setting up a last-eight clash with Leith Athletic with victory over Tynecastle at Bathgate Sports Centre.

Foxes' notable scalp was heavily influenced by star performers Michael Shields and Alyshia Walker, the latter having recently inspired the South East Girls select team to victory in the national under-15 Inter-Regional Tournament.

Alongside those two, Sean O'Donnell was identified by home coach James McAllister as another standout in a Foxes team that emerged from a goal down to win 3-1.

"Sean and Michael were outstanding, and Alyshia created some good chances for herself," said McAllister. "Often, she went for power rather than placing the ball, and it seemed the more she missed, the harder she tried."

"I've seen us pass the ball a lot better, and we started very slack. In the second half, we improved. All credit to Tynecastle, as they made a good, hard game of it."

For visitors Tynie, the result signalled the second exit from a prestigious cup competition in a matter of days. After being expelled from the SPORTSassist South East Region Cup due to an administrative error, there can have been little sense of injustice at the way they exited the national tourney at the hands of Fauldhouse.

Philip Alexander gave the Capital side the lead with a shot from distance on the left, which flew over Foxes goalkeeper Aiden McCann and into the far corner.

Having lost their own No.1 due to injury prior to kick-off, Tynecastle had to rely on stand-in custodian Kyle Dixon, a natural defender or midfielder, and he rewarded his side with a safe pair of hands throughout. However, he was helpless as a Michael Shields effort shortly before half-time flew into the top left-hand corner to restore parity between the teams.

Foxes began the competition with a comprehensive 5-0 win at fellow West Lothian side Livingston Hearts before overwhelming Tranent Colts in East Lothian. An 8-2 victory at St Mirren Youth saw them progress to a fourth-round tie at Antonine, where they emerged 3-1 victors to set up their first home game of the tournament against Tynecastle.

Five minutes after the interval, the hosts looked far more at ease in their familiar surroundings as Callum Kirkland gave them a 2-1 lead. The ball fell to the No.?7 15 yards from goal on the left-hand side of the box and he angled his drive into the far corner of the net.

Some strong running by Walker on the right created time for her to send a tantalising cross into the danger area moments later, but there were no takers to provide a fitting conclusion to her superb move. When Shields paced down the same flank on 51 minutes, there appeared far more red shirts for him to target. After outstripping Tynie defender Thomas Patterson, Shields powered a low cross towards the far post, where Aiden McKee applied the deftest of touches to send the ball back across goal and into the right-hand corner of the net.

Walker, who was at her ebullient, bullying best in her approach play, came close to adding to Foxes' advantage with two close-range headers from crosses by Bradley Stokes, but she could only direct each effort at goalkeeper Dixon.

Tynecastle secretary Pam Dobbin explained the hurt felt by her team's defeated players at full time. "They were gutted," she said. "They had hoped they could go further in the competition but knew it would be tough. There wasn't blame on anybody's part."

Tynecastle will look forward to another important cup tie this Sunday, against Salvesen in the Peter O'Neill Cup semi- final.

Meanwhile, Fauldhouse are contemplating a tough quarter-final tie on Saturday at home to Leith Athletic, who beat Cavalry Park 5-1 thanks, in part, to four goals by Brodie McKenzie.

"Leith impressed me a lot when I went to watch them on Sunday," says Fauldhouse coach McAllister. "I'd seen Cavalry Park before and they were good, but Leith impressed me. Anybody's beatable if you play to your potential, though."

See this Saturday's Evening News for further coverage of the under-13 Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup, with match action pictures and report from the thrilling quarter final tie between Airdrie United and Hutchison Vale.

Fauldhouse Foxes: Aiden McCann, Jamie White, Alyshia Walker, Gordon Meek, Patrick Duffy, Callum Kirkland, Ryan Wood, Ryan Welsh, Shaun O'Donnell, Graham Burt, Michael Shields, Bradley Stokes, Aiden McKee.

Tynecastle: Kyle Dixon, Calum Boner, Thomas Patterson, Sam Laverty, Scott Cameron, Reece Dobbin, Scott MacNaughton, Philip Alexander, Ayrton Sonkur, Euan Greig, Calum Shields, Rowen Shaw, Kieren Somerville, Ryan Ritchie.