Hutchie out to defy the odds again

Many supporters have paid to watch Scottish League football at the ground but would struggle to find atmosphere and excitement to equal that provided by the youngsters from east and west.

Capital side Hutchie were a goal down to a dominant Airdrie by half time, but levelled after the break then equalised another home counter before going ahead with Regan Hendry's third strike of the game. Airdrie livewire Jamie Leslie headed a glorious last-minute header to force a replay, which will take place at Edinburgh Academy tomorrow at 11am. Hutchie secretary Les Trotter felt his side struggled to adjust to the daunting expanse of Airdrie's home ground as the hosts dominated an open first half. "I don't think we got used to the park to begin with, but we came out in the second and were a different team.

"We took the game to them, and after our third goal I thought we would go on and score another couple."

In the early stages, it was Airdrie United who looked like they would build an unassailable lead, such was the sheer number of chances they created and the irrepressible mood of their diminutive No.9 Leslie.

After carving open the Hutchie defence twice, it was with his third sight of goal that the striker gave his side the lead. In relative 'route one' fashion, a speculative long ball was pinged into the path of Leslie, and he oustripped Brandon Archibald with a typical spurt of searing pace before knocking the ball past goalkeeper Cameron Bendall from inside the box.

"They were definitely the better team in the first half - we couldn't get going - but, I thought we dominated the second half," reflected Hutchie official Trotter afterwards.

A treble from Hendry, however, still wasn't enough to see Hutchie through against a resilient Airdrie United. The powerful No.11 levelled matters shortly after half time, but another break at the other end, Leslie the protagonist, resulted in the hosts restoring their advantage.

Hendry came up trumps for the Capital club once more, though, equalising soon after before handing Hutchie the lead and, in doing so, polishing off a well-deserved hat-trick.

A twist in the tale arrived at the last gasp, though, and what pint-sized forward Leslie lacked in height he made up for in heading technique, sending a cross looping into the top corner to force a replay in Edinburgh.

"The wee guy (Leslie] was superb," said Trotter. "Airdrie are a great side and all credit to them - they were exceptional. If they beat us in the replay, they'll win it. I can't see any other team touching them."In the Airdrie camp, coach Liam Brindle was far from wary of the trip to Edinburgh, saying his side has a "fighting chance" in tomorrow's encounter.

"I heard the chat from the stands and people from Hutchie, saying 'They won't get another chance.' We're now the ones who have to get up early and travel to Edinburgh.

"They're a smashing bunch of kids, it's a tall order, but we have a fighting chance. "At 3-2, we thought it was done and dusted and Hutchie probably thought they'd done enough. But, credit to them, they went up the park and got the equaliser."

"I think with all boys clubs, there are two or three who will give you challenges. Hutchie's results have been similar to ours - quite one-sided. The Scottish Cup is more of a test, so it's no surprise to see the Leiths and Syngentas in there, but Hutchie are the favourites."

Airdrie United: Liam Tuite, Stephen Farrell, Callum Gibson; Greg MacKenzie, Luke Tuite, Jay Brindle, Jamie Leslie, Josh Moore, Jamie Leslie, Fraser Scott, Ryan Tierney, Kai Creelman, Sean Hughes.

Hutchison Vale: Cameron Bendall, Cameron Milne, James Ahari, Cameron Begbie, Brandon Archibald, Murray Sutherland, Aiden Quinn, David Lindsay, Ethan Feachen, Regan Hendry, Calum Paterson, Sean McKirdy, Scott Christie, Gary Howie, Lewis Swaney, Alexander Simpson.