Leith's Gavin Kneeshaw's spot kick brings Athletic glory at Tynecastle

GAVIN KNEESHAW'S penalty five minutes before half-time saw Leith Athletic edge a stuffy final against rivals Musselburgh Windsor and win the Lothian Buses South East Region under-15 Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs Cup at Tynecastle Stadium.

Kneeshaw's composure from 12 yards was a rare moment of clarity in an otherwise disjointed game, with both sides falling short of their usual high standards in this youth football showpiece.

It can perhaps be put down to a tiring season, with both the East Lothian side and their North Edinburgh counterparts having battled on many fronts in pursuit of silverware, not least as part of the four-way fight for the Division 1 league championship, where the two remain neck-and-neck with Tynecastle and Edinburgh City.

With no little history and familiarity between them, the game in front of a 200-strong crowd was naturally not without incident, the biggest talking point being the award of a spot-kick – a nailed-on stonewaller for some, a trivial shoulder-to-shoulder in the eyes of others.

Prior to that flashpoint on 34 minutes, Leith had enjoyed the better of the opportunities in front of goal, Scott Wilson going close early on before Kneeshaw and Jason Coyle forced Windsor goalie Daniel Laing into smart stops.

Ewan Ralton had single-handedly conjured the one chance at the other end, but was denied by a great save from Athletic No.1 Reece Smail before his teammate Ryan McConville was thwarted in trying to convert the follow-up, Smail again proving Windsor's nemesis.

It may have looked innocuous from a certain angle, but from a vantage point behind the bye-line just yards from the incident it was more reckless: Musselburgh defender Kamran Tufail denying Sean Melvin a clear goal-scoring opportunity with a trip that was more clumsy than cynical.

By thumping the resultant spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner, Kneeshaw put Leith one up, an advantage they may have built upon before half-time had Wilson enjoyed more luck in front of goal.

It was all Windsor for most of the second-half as the Honest Toun boys sought an equaliser, but Kevin Keane, McConville (twice) and Reece Docherty could not find either the target or a way past Smail.

Leith held on for victory to hand coach Mark Muirhead a trophy in his final season with the team after 11 years. Part of the departing coaching team that also comprises Kevin Kneeshaw and Tam Wilson, Muirhead was suitably satisfied with the performance of his young charges.

He said: "We asked them to match Musselburgh physically – they did that, and also played football and took charge of the game.

"It was a bit of a nervy one for the boys, especially after they lost the (John McConnell] Cup final at the weekend, but we told them to work their socks off, and I can't have asked for any more. For me, Keiran Muirhead, Martin Innes, and Marc Fairman at the back, as well as Sean Melvin, were all solid, but all the boys put in a shift."

It is with a heavy heart that Muirhead, who has presided over the current crop of under-15s since they came to the club at the under-4 age group, is set to leave the club at the end of the season. He added: "Kevin (Kneeshaw] and I have been coaching here 11 years now, and this season is our last. Our aim is to help the players progress, and hopefully now they can all go on to be successful."

The Leith coach went on to say that his position on the committee of Leith Athletic will remain unaffected by his decision to stand down from coaching duties.

Meanwhile, John Hunter, of the executive committee of the Federation of Hearts Supporters' Clubs, hailed an evening well-spent watching the cream of youth football. After presenting Leith with the trophy in the name of his organisation, Hunter said: "It was a pretty good first-half and really hotted up in the last 20 minutes.

"I thought the No.5 for Leith, Martin Innes, was excellent. His throw-in was magnificent – it reminded me of Robbie Neilson when he played here – and I just wonder how far he'll be able to throw it in a few years' time.

"This is the eighth year we've held the final at Tynecastle and the standard seems to improve every year."

Musselburgh Windsor: Daniel Laing, Patrick Harrold, Kamran Tufail, Reece Docherty, Jack Moffat, Ryan McConville, Daniel Moffat, Jordon Burrows, Craig Turnbull, Ewan Ralton, Declan O'Kane, Gary Scott-Learmonth, Ben Stewart, Kevin Keane, Marcus Gaines.

Leith Athletic: Reece Smail, Harvey McIntosh, Sean Murphy, Keiran Muirhead, Martin Innes, Daniel Simpson, Gavin Kneeshaw, Jason Coyle, Jake Harper, Scott Wilson, Marc Fairman, Sean Melvin, Andy Swinney.