21st September HV Colts U13s V Leith Athletic At Leith Links Peter O' Neill Cup

'With the exception of the fox hole by the half way line, which was filled before kick off, the pitch at Leith Links was in good condition. It was also one of the bigger pitches, and todays' first round match could not have been against tougher opposition. Leith Athletic were unbeaten in the league and had already beaten the Colts 5-2 in the earlier league match at the Links.

But today was another day and the Colts seemed keen to put the disappointment of their previous defeat behind them. It was a great start from them and with Athletic still to muster a chance on goal, Daniel, Dean, Grant and Ben all had decent shots over or past. No-one could accuse them of being shot shy and the play was mainly in the Athletic half. However Leith have some talented players and despite another couple of chances - Bradleys great run down the left and ball to Ben for a shot which curled over, and another from Daniel which ended up in the side net, Rian had to be off his line smartly to make a great stop from Leith's talented no 10 who had broken through on the counter.

Then with half time approaching the Colts finally got the breakthrough they deserved. Daniel and Ben combined on the left before playing in Lee who lifted the ball over the keeper for a fine opening goal. Experience says that a team are often at their most vulnerable after scoring and the rule was proved here as Leith hit back within a minute and with what amounted to something like Leith's second shot on target they were level. Half time 1-1.

Having made so much of the running in the first half and with nothing to show for it, would the boys manage to keep the momentum up. Nick and danile asnwered that when following a great burst by Nick, he set up Daniel for a shot which the keeper saved. Then Ben fired in an effort which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line rebouinded to him and could have gone anywhere but slid agonisingly past the post. Once again Rian rescued the side as Leith broke powerfully down the left and their forwad fired in a screamer, but Rian had narrowed the angle and he pushed the ball out for a corner with a great save. Moments later in a repeat of the same move the ball was fired across the goal and just past the post but the warning bells were there loud and clear. Needing to up the game again, Lee curled a shot just past the post and Bradley broke through and hit a rocket which the keeper saved. Danield was next to work the keeper and while his shot was saved onto the post Ben was sharp to convert the loose ball to go 2-1 ahead. But once again it proved impossible to defend the lead and within 2 minutes of the restart the Leith dangerman broke through the middle and riding a couple of weak challenges blasted Leith level.

More questions to answer - how would the boys react to being level having put so much into the game? With it seeming like the game was slipping away, again their talented no 10 broke through and Rian playing a blinder proved he was equal to it and saved. But the boys were not finsihed and again Nick fed Daniel whose shot slipped past from distance. Then the break they boys needed when the Leith keeper under pressure handled outside the box. Dean stepped up and hit a perfect free kick into the far top corner and for the third time the boys were ahead. Then the cushion the boys needed - Bradley drove forward on the right and blasted a shot across the keeper which although saved, Nick was on hand to pounce on the loose ball. Full time 4-2.

If last week showed signs that the boys were beginning to gel, this week marked a big step forward with possibly their best performance of the season so far.'