WHEN such a wealth of sporting talent is on show, being acclaimed as a standout player or team is all the more rewarding.
Close to 3500 young local footballers took part in organised football from under-13 to under-17 level as thrills and spills aplenty made for an exciting 2007/08. Around 2000 matches took place across Edinburgh and the Lothians, with 171 teams competi
ng in 18 leagues and 43 cup competitions.
Here, we look at the individuals and teams who shone brightest in the South East Region Youth Football over the past season.
JACK COMBE LEITH ATHLETIC UNDER-17
COMBE formed one half of a very potent strikeforce, teaming up with Darren Lavery to spearhead Leith's ultimately successful assault on four competitions. The diligent and clever No.9 provided his team with the perfect balance between goalscoring and assisting as Leith put to the sword all before them in a phenomenal season in which they were crowned the best in Scotland. Remaining unbeaten throughout the year, while drawing just two games, they lifted the Division 1 title as well as the Prison Officers' Club Cup, the Victor Paris Bathrooms Cup and the Michael Moran League Cup.
As well as winning the Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup, Leith won the prestigious City Financial Edinburgh South East Region Cup with a 5-0 trouncing of Hutchison Vale. Birthday boy Combe's input was, as ever, significant as he scored a brace and set up a further two on his way to being named man of the match.
DANIEL O'ROURKE SETON BC UNDER-14
O'ROURKE was responsible for a superb individual five-goal return in a single game, thanks to some clinical and predatory attacking play in his team's 7-1 triumph over local adversaries Preston Athletic in the Ian Mackay Cup final at Forester Park, Tranent. After opening the scoring seconds before the interval, the striker's appetite for goals was only sated after he notched another four in the second half. That display, coupled with a consistently high level of performance throughout a prolific season, drew admiring glances from opposition coaches and neutrals alike.
Seton captain Andrew McMillan, who scored a superb 20-yard shot into the top left-hand corner during the Tranent final, was also outstanding in his team's double-winning season. The East Lothian side also clinched the David Innes Cup, with O'Rourke setting up the first goal in the 2-0 win over Leith Athletic Colts.
DALE FINNIE TYNECASTLE UNDER-14
PEERLESS defender Dale Finnie was the rock at the heart of Tynecastle's defence as the under-14 side claimed five trophies. In a league-winning season, the boys in maroon also lifted the Bill Sheridan Cup, the John Crawford Cup, the Kenny McLean Cup and the Willie Bauld Cup.
It was in the final of the last-named competition that Dale enjoyed arguably his best performance of the season, with the Evening News report on the match complimenting his "skill, strength and timely tackling".
Finnie, always steady and quick to foresee danger, also boasted superb delivery from freekicks. Indeed, it was his assist that lead to Frazer Galloway – another impressive performer, alongside Taylor Aitchison, in the Tynecastle team – opening the scoring in the match at Tynecastle Stadium.
Finnie also set up Galloway's goal in the final of the Bill Sheridan Cup, and the defender went on to net a penalty in the shoot-out to cap a memorable season.
ADAM HASTINGS SPARTANS REDS UNDER-13
HE may have scored on many occasions for Spartans Reds but goalscoring was not the standout feature of this exciting player.
An uncanny ability to improvise and escape the most difficult of situations coupled with a willingness to attempt the unusual earmarked him as the one to watch for opposition teams.
The forward inspired his team to success against Peebles in the Under-13 Trophy & Glass Cup, but, despite netting a brace including an audacious 20-yard toe poke. He couldn't quite carry Reds to victory in the AC Taxi Cup final against Longniddry Villa.
The full article contains 680 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
