Fife end West Lothian's cup dream

West Lothian twice drew level after falling behind in regulation time, but it was Fife who showed more nerve in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, winning 6-5 after the 2-2 draw to advance to the final of the Scottish Schools FA under-18 national trophy.

The last-four meeting was due to be played on Almondvale's grass surface within the confines of a glorious 10,000-seat stadium, however due to a heavy frost the contest was played out on the artificial surface adjoining the ground. The switch may have momentarily disappointed both starry-eyed teams, but Fife looked more determined to lift their spirits in the early exchanges.

The visitors displayed more composure and cohesiveness from the off, with their fluency in stark contrast to the usually reliable West Lothian goalkeeper Andrew Murphy, who suffered a crisis of nerves on more than one occasion, the first of which was to prove telling as Fife opened the scoring.

Murphy is one of two West Lothian representatives in the Scotland Schoolboys team, the other being striker Fraser Keast, and is set to start as No.1 tomorrow against Wales in a Centenary Cup challenge at Airdrie United's ground. He played a starring role in the quarter-final as his side ousted neighbours Lothian, saving two penalties to single-handedly propel West to this stage.

However, by flapping at a corner and failing to grasp the ball as it flew across his six-yard box, Murphy gifted Fife the lead, Dale Allan nipping in at the far post to prod the ball over the line.

The goalkeeper's fellow Scotland star Keast, another standout in West's quarter final success, appeared hungry once more lent plenty of energy and enthusiasm in attack.

Fife barely had time to revel in their breakthrough goal as, just seconds later, the home No.9 rose above a ruck of airborne defenders to meet a right-wing free kick and head past Robbie Laing.

But no sooner had West Lothian levelled than Fife defiantly restored their advantage. Indecision between West keeper Murphy and one of his defenders allowed Gavin Sullivan to steal in and toe the ball into the net.

Keast and Callum McQueenie both had opportunities to pull West Lothian level once more but were suffocated by the stubborn Fife backline. Indeed, the away side, with the instrumental Michael Johnston orchestrating play from midfield, stayed on top of their hosts all over the pitch and came closest to scoring and adding to their lead in the remainder of the first half.

The irrepressible right-winger Calum Adamson showed a directness and swagger reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo, and incisively cut inside from the flank before firing an unstoppable strike against the left-hand post. Moments before, Allan had almost notched his second of the game but headed wide.

In the second half, West Lothian regained their stride and piled significantly more pressure on a previously untroubled Fife defence. Keast tested the opposition's resilience time after time, but was guilty of a number of missed opportunities. With 20 minutes to go, though, West converted their sustained pressure into an equaliser as McQueenie hooked the ball into the net from six yards.

There were chances at both ends as the clock ticked towards a penalty shoot-out immediately after regulation time, as poor light saved a freezing crowd from the prospect of extra time.

West Lothian's Alan Lawson, Ryan Meechan, Lee Fairley and Fraser Keast all netted after Billy Hutchison had seen his effort saved by Robbie Laing. Fortunately for West, goalkeeper Murphy pulled off a breathtaking stop from Andrew Carlin at Fife's fifth penalty after Murray Carstairs, Dale Allan, Gavin Sullivan and Michael Scott had all scored. Into sudden death, Sammy Watson and Fife's Michael Johnston exchanged successful spot-kicks, but after Ryan Slessor was denied by Laing, Tom Le Feuvre showed sufficient nerve to emphatically fire Fife into the final, where they will face either Aberdeen or Glasgow.

Stewart Luke, the Fife coach, felt his side deserved to go through and is confident of their prospects in the final. He said: "It's a shame it had to end on penalties, but it was a well-contested game.

"I think with the current squad we've got a good chance."

West Lothian: Andrew Murphy (Armadale), Sammy Watson (Deans), Callum McQueenie (West Calder), Billy Hutchison (Whitburn), Lee Fairley (Broxburn), Chris Graham (Whitburn), Andrew Murison (Linlithgow), Alan Lawson (Bathgate), Fraser Keast (Armadale), Chris Marshall (Whitburn), Harley (Deans), Craig Mahood (James Young), Grant Beattie (Linlithgow), Ryan Slessor (Broxburn), Ryan Meechan (Armadale), Andrew Johnston (Linlithgow).

Fife: Robbie Laing (Bell Baxter), Cameron West (Madras), Ryan Kernaghan (Inverkeithing), Nicholas Green (Inverkeithing), Michael Johnston (Kirkcaldy), Gareth McKeown (St Columbas), Aiden Hendry (Glenrothes), Murray Carstairs (Auchmuty), Dale Allan (Woodmill), Gavin Sullivan (Inverkeithing), Callum Adamson (Beath), Andrew Carlin (Madras), Grant Page (Beath), Michael Scott (Inverkeithing), Tom Le Feuvre (Madras).