■ Ian Tytler's free kick nestles in the corner of the Lochend net to make it 2-2

A sensational free kick 3 minutes from time by Ian Tytler gave Joppa Utd a deserved share of the spoils in this East Edinburgh derby at windy Seafield.

The strong wind played a key role in this match with Lochend enjoying the bulk of possession and chances in the first half with the momentum swinging the other way in the second period. At times the football was as raw as the weather but this was pure grassroots football with both sides committed to the full and the coaches and spectators equally vociferous.

A draw was a fair outcome in this keenly contested game although Joppa could have won the game in the closing minutes when Harry Wanless was clean through but shot wide and then Rakhime Malik struck the bar from a corner.

Less than a mile from the wilderness that is Seafield two of Scotland's top youth sides were going head to head in the quarter final of the U14 Scottish Cup. But grassroots football is all about giving as many players as possible the opportunity to play and in Iain Binning and Cameron Lovie the 31 boys in the Lochend and Joppa squads have guys who give their all for these boys to have the opportunity to participate in sport.

With all the enthusiasm and energy emanating from the touchlines it could have been the Scottish Cup Final itself. Of course there is a world of difference between the level these boys are playing at and their counterparts up the road but for the players, coaches and supporters that did not matter. This was just as important to them. Indeed I would imagine Iain and Cameron would be heading off to the local chemist for a packet of throat lozenges after this one!

Most of the play in the opening 35 minutes was towards the Joppa goal. Lochend seemed to have more energy and ability in this period with Lewis Park causing problems up front and the stocky Ryan Hunter prominent early on.

At the back they had big Callum Park who had no difficulty mopping up any attacks before launching the ball back down towards the Joppa goal. And in the centre David Jack showed some great touches.

And yet it was Joppa that had the first chance when Ian Tytler skipped up the right wing before fizzing a shot across the face of the goal where he found no willing takers.

On 9 minutes, however, Lochend took the lead. Lewis Park's shot was brilliantly saved by James McGregor but the ball cannoned back off a recovering defender into the path of Ross Ferguson and his attempted clearance found its way into the corner of the net.

Park had another opportunity on the quarter hour but just when he seemed destined to double the Lochend lead, Joppa's captain Ben Lovie made a terrific last ditch tackle to thwart the wee Lochend forward.

Goalkeeper Jamie McGregor was alert to Ryan Hunter's clever wind assisted inswinging corners and he palmed a goalbound effort over on 26 minutes as the play continued in one way fashion towards the Joppa goal.

Joppa were finding it increasingly difficult to make any headway against the strong wind but they remained resolute in defence and ended the half just the one goal behind.

Half Time 1-0

The half time turnaround meant a shift in attacking emphasis with Joppa now having the wind at their backs and they showed early menace on 38 minutes when Hugh Brown shot just wide. Brown however made up for that miss just a moment later when he was sent clear on the left by Jack Kidney, who had a fine game for Joppa. Brown steadied himself before hitting a low shot that squirmed past Lochend keeper, Gerry McBride and trundled into the right hand corner of the net.

Joppa continued to dominate but chances were at a premium with Daniel Goodwin marshalling the Lochend back four brilliantly although it did need the face of Callum Park on one occasion to keep the Portobello side out when he took a thunderbolt full on the side of the head but he did save a certain goal!

Then, against the run of play, Lochend stole up field and restored their advantage. Ryan Hunter took the ball up the left hand side and showed some good skill to cut in towards goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot that crashed in off the underside of the bar.

It looked like the home side were going to take the points as the minutes ticked down. Then, with just 3 minutes left on the clock, excellent referee Martin Forbes awarded Joppa a free kick 25 yards out. Up stepped Ian Tytler and as soon as he hit it you knew it was going in. The wind of course helped it on its way but he struck it really well and the ball sailed high over the Lochend defence and goalkeeper and nestled in the corner of the net to make it 2-2.

A draw was a fair result but Joppa probably should have gone onto win it. A minute after the equaliser Harry Wanless found himself clear on the right but his shot skewed wide of the left hand post with credit having to be given to Lochend keeper, Gerry McBride for quickly closing the angle down.

Then in the final minute Joppa were awarded a corner on the left. The ball was played into the front post where it was directed towards goal by Rakhime Malik. The entire box froze for a moment as they watched the ball crash back of the face of the bar before being cleared to the shrill of the final whistle.