Tynie heroes beat the Drum

A TASTE of the big time doesn't come much sweeter than this. Tynecastle under-14s sprung from a half-time deficit of 2-1 to snatch a last-gasp victory over Drumchapel United in the final of the Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium.

Outstanding midfielder Cameron Young was the match-winner with a composed stoppage-time strike, but, to a man, Tynecastle were magnificent.

Their attack-minded and adventurous full-back Neil Martyniuk fully merited his man of the match award, proving effective all over the field, but, in truth, almost any of the Edinburgh side's crack team could have rightfully claimed the prize.

Drumchapel presented a formidable challenge to Ian Black and Keith Robertson's charges, although, leaving any eastern prejudice aside, the Glasgow side contributed significantly less than their opponents in terms of football played. A crowd of around 300 within the all-seater arena at times produced the type of shrill din befitting of an intense end-to-end Scottish League match and the partisan section of Drum fans had no reservation in attempting to unsettle their illustrious rivals' players with taunts and shouts. Tynecastle, winners of the competition last year, managed to blank out the put-downs and recovered from a goal down twice to silence their tormentors.

The searing pace of Drum's Harry Clark, though, had the defending champions in tatters after nine minutes. In keeping with much of the game, Tynecastle had retained the lion's share of possession early on and created the few opportunities afforded at either end. On the breakaway, though, Drum lumped the ball over Tynecastle's back-line and Clark outstripped defender Mikey Hamilton – by no means sluggish himself – and arced an exquisite lob over goalkeeper Cameron Tulloch from 30 yards out.

If they were fazed at falling behind, Tynecastle certainly didn't allow their opponents the satisfaction of knowing it.

Continuing how they began – in the ascendancy – Tynecastle drew close twice in the following five minutes, as Sean Elliot shot wide from 15 yards and Martyniuk's free-kick narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Connor Brydon showed the type of spatial awareness and clinical finishing that would unnerve the best of defences to pull his side level, though, after 20 minutes. Ghosting in at the far post to meet a cross-ball from the left of midfield, Brydon had plenty of time and space on the right-hand side of the penalty area to pick his spot in the bottom right-hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

Every goal was celebrated with a light-hearted mocking of the opposition fans, and Tynecastle took great pleasure in shutting up the vociferous Glasgow contingent.

Those same supporters, however, were back on song just before half-time as their side reassumed the lead. Tynecastle goalkeeper Tulloch dived to reach a free-kick from the right across his six-yard box but missed the ball completely; it fell to Clark, and his shot crossed the line despite the best efforts of the Tynecastle defence to clear it.

Drum were pegged back again just seconds after the restart. Euan Lannon's floated corner from the right was headed away from goal by the United defence, and Tynecastle's Gregor Lockhart, running in from the edge of the box, was in a prime position to connect with the airborne ball 12 yards out and smash a volleyed shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Tynecastle's defence soaked up everything Drum could muster in attack, to such an extent that Tulloch barely had anything to do in the second half. Edinburgh's finest were far superior in midfield, too, where the seemingly omnipresent Young was first to everything – and when he wasn't, the spider-like reach of his tough-tackling legs ensured his team quickly regained possession.

Most crucially, Tynecastle's stars never lost their nerve and maintained their patience – two achievements made all the more impressive by the weight of expectation on the tournament favourites.

Perhaps at times, though, Tynecastle were too patient, too selective in their attempts on goal, as they conjured very few shots on goal to trouble Drum goalkeeper Clark. One that did, but which flew inches wide, was George Hunter's effort that narrowly cleared the top right-hand corner with 13 minutes to go.

The next, a quarter of an hour later, went one better.

The effervescent Brydon skipped effortlessly past his marker on the right wing and, upon reaching the bye-line, cut the ball back for Young who calmly sidefooted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

A beaming Tynecastle coach Keith Robertson

said: "I've got to congratulate the players – back-to-back Scottish Cup wins doesn't happen every day. They just never know when they're beaten, and they're an absolute pleasure to work with.

"We've had fantastic support from the parents – not just today, but all year."

Tynecastle: Cameron Tulloch, Gregor Lockhart, Neil Martyniuk, Mikey Hamilton, Brad Campsie, Euan Lannon, Connor Brydon, Cameron Young, Sean Burns, George Hunter, Sean Elliot, Taylor Black, Aidan Thomson, Andrew McBride, Blake Wales, Dylan Thomson.

Drumchapel United: Jo Clark, Craig McDonald, Ally Grifin Ross, Gary Sinclair, Michael Stirling, Evans Lamboh, Michael Hardie, Conor McAllister, John Garth, Shaun O'Connor, Harry Clark, Johan Cornell, Jamie Grimes, Mark McLelland.