TWO goals in the first ten minutes gave Leith Athletic under-15s the cutting edge over Edinburgh City 93 in a pulsating League Cup first-round encounter at Leith Links.
The match was fast and furiousand the 4-2 scoreline was perhaps a bit harsh on the visitors who created a host of good opportunities.
Looking at the teams before kick-off, it was obvious that Edinburgh City had a substantial physical advantage ove
r their more diminutive opponents. Yet, as soon as the game started, it became clear that the speed and technical ability of the Leith players was enough to make up for their lack of height.
It was Athletic who threatened first after less than a minute. A good corner was swung in low by Tyrone Jimenez, which found its way to Steven Brown who smacked a shot just wide of goal.
At the other end of the pitch, some great play by City winger Ryan Ma helped them into a shock early lead.
Ma's tricks and quick feet left defender Chris Joyce for dead before he floated in an excellent ball to Callum Burns at the back post, Burns guided the ball past the advancing keeper.
But Leith heads didn't go down, and they responded in the best possible way with two great goals. The first came through Jimenez who done well down the right side before passing a great ball into the danger area. Both sets of players scrambled for the incoming ball, but it was Ben McKinnon who found it at his feet and he blasted a shot past the helpless City keeper Adam Shaw.
Less than two minutes later, Athletic increased their lead through a bizarre own goal by Gavin Sullivan. Paul Ewing, who had a good game down the left channel, sent a high cross into the opposition box, which Sullivan headed backwards to his goals. However, keeper Adam Shaw miscalculated the header and despite a stretching attempt to save City's blushes, he couldn't reach the ball which then bounced into the net.
Even at this early stage of the game, it was clear that the sizeable crowd were in for a great match. Athletic's exciting passing was a constant threat to City, who were not to be outdone with their attacking speed and quick counter-attacking.
But it was the home side's passing ability that looked most threatening. Striker Mark Shene was constantly outpacing the City defence and taking up dangerous positions. And he forced an unfortunate mistake from keeper Shaw on 15 minutes with a powerful shot from inside the box.
Shaw could only hit the ball towards his own net, but recovered with a brilliant sliding save to deny striker Liam Tomassi who was quick to try and score from his mistake.
However, Leith were presented with another chance to make it three a few minutes later, and this time they took it.
A great one-two by Shene and Joyce on the left dazzled the City defence, before Joyce hit a low cross into the box which fell to Steven Brown. Brown then had little to do but keep his calm and pass the ball into the net.
As with the second Leith goal, the determination and resilience of the City players made sure that they never gave up the game and they retaliated with a thunderous strike to make it 3-2.
A great high ball was played up front to Gavin Sullivan and he dinked a header down into the path of Jamie Devlin, who scored on the half-volley.
The second-half started with a bang. After three minutes, City defender Andrew MacLean made a great rampaging run forward, using his strength to hold off several defenders on the way.
Surrounded by Leith players he managed to squeeze out a surprisingly powerful shot which went just wide of the right post.
On the hour mark, Shene once again opened up a glorious chance for a goal. Bringing the ball down and leaving a City defender with one sublime touch, he then threaded a good through ball into the path of Jimenez, who was unlucky with a powerful drive.
Ten minutes later, the home side finally finished the game off as City's determination to find an equaliser seemed to wane. Substitute Greig Turnbull found himself in space, before passing along the ground to Liam Tomassi who took only two touches to find himself faced with an open goal. An simple finish was all it needed to put Leith 4-2 ahead, and Tomassi delivered.
Leith Athletic: Stuart Dodds, Steven Brown, Tyrone Marcus Jimenez, Greg Douglas, Greig Turnbull, Michael Park, Liam Tomassi, Kayne Paterson, Chris Joyce, Paul Ewing, Christopher Barron, Mark Shene, Ben McKinnon.
Edinburgh City: Adam Shaw, Andrew MacLean, Jamie Morrison, Callum Croser, Paul Ramsey, Steven Harley, Callum Milligan, Gavin Sullivan, Callum Burns, Jamie Devlin, Adam Hunter, Jason Dalgliesh, Jamie Pype, Ryan Ma.
EDINBURGH Primary Schools' Sports Association stage their three major cup finals of the season at Warriston Playing Fields at the end of April and the beginning of May.
The first of the three cup finals will take place on Thursday, April 17, when eight primary school teams will battle it out in two groups, with the winners of each group meeting in the final of the EPSSA Cup.
The second finals night, for the School Board Cup, is set to go ahead on Thursday, April 24, with another eight teams split into two groups and the winners of each group again meeting in the final.
The final night of the season, for the Inspector's Cup is set for Thursday, May 1.
THE East & Midlothian Schools FA v Aberdeen National Trophy under-15 semi-final will be played at Hallhill on Monday, April 14, kick-off 5.45 pm.
Squad: Asher Tufail, Chris Moffat, Jordan McAllion, Aiden Duncan (all St David's); Jordan Urquhart, Robbie Martin (both Dalkeith); Stuart Duncanson David Liddle (bothNewbattle); Conar Kennedy (Musselburgh); Bruce Cunningham, Paul Luby, Ross Thomson (all Ross HS); Andrew Jones, Alistair Simpson (both North Berwick); Jamie Devlin (Preston Lodge); Conar Sanderson (Musselburgh).
The full article contains 1018 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
