U13s Division 1B Hutchison Vale 13s Colts v Leith Athletic Sunday 2nd November 2008

A third meeting between the sides and with one win apiece in the league and cup matches, this was potentially a decider between two good sides. Not a good time for both Daniel and Dean to be out then but it was good to welcome back Bradley following his injury. The Colts kicked off in bright sunshine and some good passing moves enabled them to take the game to Leith. Nick was finding space on the right and several chances were created in the box but resolute Leith defending stopped Ben from adding to his tally on more than one occasion. However Leith have proved in the past how dangerous they can be especially on the break, and so it proved again when Leith took the lead. However the Colts were beginning to control midfield with the hard working Lee and Fraser and chances were being created. From another attack which resulted in a free kick outside the box, Fraser stepped up and drilled a quite magnificent shot into the top corner for a superb equaliser. There was still time for chances at both ends before half time - and Ben made a superb tackle to stop a Leith breakaway before Tony's first time shot was spilled by the keeper but with noone on hand to turn in the loose ball the half time score was 1-1.

It was not long before the second half action got under way and a long ball through the middle was tucked away by Leith despite Gavin's tackle and Rian getting a hand to the resultant shot. For the second time the boys were behind despite some good football. Fraser took another free kick and a chance to draw level for the second time but his shot slipped past the post, and Bradley drove into the box but the ball would not sit up for him and the chance was gone. Then the defence, Gavin, Darren and Grant who had played superbly covering for each other were grateful for Rian's brave save at the feet of the Leith forward. However in the aftermath of that save, it was apparent that there was some frustration building into the Leith forward play, but before that had a chance to develop any further the Colts were level. Nick broke and crossed the ball in, and the ball bounced around the box before it was cleared back out to Nick who, taking it first time volleyed an angled rocket into the back of net from 15 yards.

Unfortunately, the frustration which had building boiled over as a Leith forward foray was broken up and Darren was flattened off the ball giving the ref no option but to send the Leith playmaker off.

The Colts had their tails up and Bradley broke forward and fired in a shot across the keeper, which he did superbly well to keep out, but with 3 Leith defenders on the line Nick blasted the loose ball back across and inside the far post to put the Colts ahead for the first time in the match.

Then Grant met Nick's corner to nod the ball beyond the keeper and provide a 2 goal cushion. Grant was back in the thick of the action moments later when in closing down a Leith shot the ref adjudged him to have handled the ball, and although some might have thought that it was a classic case of ball to hand with Grant knowing very little about it, the resultant penalty was tucked away to narrow the gap to one.

However there was barely time for the restart to be taken before the final whistle sounded on a totally absorbing game of football. Final score 4-3.