Sunday 29 March u 13s Hutchie Colts v Edina Hibs at Saughton

'Edina, unbeaten in the league with games in hand versus the Colts, top of the table. That was half the story of the match in prospect, but having played Edina twice already in tight games, the Colts had still to win a point or progress - there was no denying the size of the task in hand. And watching the Edina team warming up, the size of the task in hand seemed to get bigger as the size of the Edina players throughout their team became apparent.

The Colts won the toss and elected to play against the wind and up the slope for the first half. The envisaged difficult first half just got more difficult and it was not long till Edina made the most of the conditions and Rian was called on to deal with a free kick and a long range shot, both fairly comfortably. The traffic was heading in the Colts direction but chances at this stage were few and far between with both sides still sizing each other up. Bradley, who had an impressive match from start to finish, then picked the ball up and drove into the box and on the point on pulling the trigger was brought down by overeager defending and the ref, Tam Carter pointed to the spot. It may have been against the run of play but the Colts had the chance of taking the lead and Gavin was coolness personified as he fired the spotkick low and under the keeper for an unlikely lead. With their tails up, the Colts took the game to Edina for the first time in the match and Fraser was played in but on his left shot over the bar. Edina responded and Rian was forced to make a great save from a header inside the 6 yard box following a corner. An awkward bouncing shot drew another great save from Rian as he dived full length and held the ball. Edina were in the mood and the Colts goal was surviving but only just - somehow the ball being scrambled away for a corner following a powerful attack down the left. Then Edina came even closer to levelling as Rian made another great save but with the ball loose, the follow up header hit the bar before Dean - who else - cleared. The Colts kept the football going, and, hitting on the counter Tony was denied the chance of completing the move by the whistle for offside. Then Fraser hit a goalbound shot from the edge of the box following a Colts corner which Edina managed to hack off the line. But the half finished with Edina pushing for the equaliser, Dean clearing from a finger tip save by Rian and then another Edina shot rattled the bar when their forward was through on goal. Half time finished with the Colts leading through one precious goal.

Into the second half, and with the slope and wind at their backs it was a chance for the Colts to turn the tables. First to show was Bradley who smacked a dipping shot goalwards which clipped the top of the bar before going over. Then Nick fired in a first time volley which the keeper held, after good work from Fraser. Then the Colts won a free kick on the edge of the box and Dean stepped up to strike a superb low shot into the corner and the Colts were two up. The Edina keeper kept his side in it when he made a superb finger tip save from Bradley's shot which looked to have goal written all over it. The Colts were now enjoying a great passage of play and Daniel's corner nearly dropped in but struck the bar and bounced harmlessly out. Then Edina struck on the counter and with Rian exposed and caught in no man's land their forward made no mistake with a good finish to put Edina right back into the game.Two more decent chances came the way of the Colts, firstly Bradley nearly got on the end of a good freekick and then Fraser again broke through but his shot carried no power. Edina were still dangerous and they carved out an opening for their left midfielder who slotted the ball the wrong side of the post and they had another chance from a ball over the top which came to nothing. Lee nearly made sure of the points with a well struck shot which was bending towards goal all the time, and then Nick broke through and rode three tackles before the ball was cleared off him for a goal kick. The decisive third came from Daniel's corner and while the keeper got hands to it he was unable to keep the ball out.

There were any number of great performances today - Rian had some superb saves, each member of the defence Chris, Gavin and Grant tackled and battled with Dean at the back particularly commanding and Mark had one of his best games at full back. In midfield Bradley was in unstoppable form but Fraser, Daniel, Darren and Nick mixed silk and steel and all had their moments. Up front Tony, Ben and Lee all created problems for the defenders. But everyone today from front to back played with a conviction which was great to see. It was a great game of football played on the grass by both sides and an important result for the Colts which maybe just, keeps the destination of the league open, although Edina still remain favourites for it with Tynecastle also dangerous.'