Lothian Buses Cup U13s Hutchison Vale v Hutchison Vale Colts Sunday 1 Feb 2009

With the two Vale teams meeting for the first time the disappointing fact was at least one would not make progress in the competition. With both teams riding high in their leagues, there should have been no shortage of confidence in both camps and with scouts from both Hearts and Hibs also in attendance, there was no shortage of talented players on show either.

There was a great turnout and, as the away team, the Colts support were on the unfamiliar far touchline. The Colts were at full strength and got off to a great start Fraser making progress into the box before crossing the ball to Lee who turned the ball to Nick, whose shot was blocked and Gavin, following up, curled a shot just over the top. Within seconds Vale were on the attack forcing Rian to make a save and winning the first corner of the match. The game was only minutes old and there had been action at both ends of the pitch.

Nick and Daniel combined with Daniel cleverly wrongfooting the Vale defender before slamming his shot into the side netting. The Colts had started marginally the stronger and when Nick broke into the box, rode two tackles and slotted the ball away with a left foot drive, it was, from the Colts perspective a timely goal. The Vale responded immediately with a surge into the Colts half and Rian was called onto deal with a deflected shot. Moments later a Vale cross was fired wide. The Colts were soon back on the attack, and Fraser played in Tony who took the ball on the run and forced a great save from the Vale keeper. Then Gavin spotted Nick's run and played him in, and he fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner for his and the Colts second. Vale bounced back and were soon back on the attack but time after time they met Dean in determined mood and he and Grant kept the centre safe against the pacy Vale attack. Bradley was next to show and he had a half chance from a knock down, but was leaning back and his shot went over the bar. The Colts closed the half out with some great passing football. Half time 0-2.

The second half started with more Colts pressure. Daniel slipped the ball to Fraser who got the shot away and the block was returned to Nick whose shot from a tight angle was always rising. From the corner Daniel fired a deep, deep cross which had the Vale keeper backpedalling in vain and Bradley was in at the back post to put the Colts 3 up. Vale were down but not out. Winning a ball in midfield and breaking into the box, the Colts defence was

struggling to get back and a sensible square ball inside the box left Rian exposed and the Vale forward made no mistake and it was 3-1. Vale were lifted and both sides went on to play some great football with the next goal looking like it would be increasingly influential on the outcome. The Colts were well and truly involved in the good football, Dean taking the ball from defence passing onto Daniel, who moved the ball to Fraser in space but his deflected shot rocketed across the face of the goal. From the corner Dean found Ben who showed great strength to hold off two challenges and laid the ball off to Nick but his shot was hurried as the defenders closed him down. Back came Vale and Rian was off his line to make a brave save as the forward hit the ball. The goal finally came when Fraser who had become a increasingly involved as the game went on, picked the ball up in midfield and broke forward breaking one tackle, then another, then a third and then finally hitting a low shot past the keeper for a 4-1 advantage to the Colts. Still Vale pushed forward and they were rewarded when a snap shot unexpectedly nestled in the back of the net.

However time was now against Vale and the Colts held on for the win and the reward of a quarter final tie against Edinburgh United.'