Cavalry Park Colts' "bootless" James Abercrombie slots home his team's third goal at Davidson's Mains

This is grassroots football at its rawest. Under 13 division five squads decimated by school holidays, sparse touchline support from parents, outfield players having to cover as stand in goalkeepers but two teams giving everything for the cause encouraged on with every kick of the ball by their volunteer coaches.

These two teams met in the Polar Foods Cup 1st Round at Davidsons Mains Park this morning with both teams looking to record their first win of the season. For one of them it was going to be a welcome chance of some success and it was Cavalry Park Colts who grasped the game in the second half to advance into the second round against either West Pilton Albion or Haddington Utd.

Cavalry Park's stand-in goalkeeper, Ryan Agate, was first to be tested as early as the second minute. A low shot from outside the box by Marc Mulligan looked to be presenting no problems but the keeper spilled the ball and only just saved it from going over the line as he pounced on the trundling ball at the second attempt. The young "keeper" then went on to have a good game in goals from that point.

Colts had a chance of their own mid-way through the first half when David Suzonowicz was sent clear through. Josh Pearson never gave up hope of catching him though and produced a fine last ditch tackle to thwart the danger and clear for safety.

The game was fairly even at this point with Mulligan conducting things from the middle of the park for Cramond and Ross Mason showing some good wing play on the left. Colts looked secure at the back though with the very impressive and cool Ryan Phillips soaking up everything Cramond could muster. At the other end James Abercrombie was having a field day as he sprung Cramond's offside trap time and again only to see Cramond number one David Anderson in fine form as he produced save after save to keep Cramond level.

His first opportunity came on 23 minutes but Anderson saved at point blank range in the centre of the goals. On 32 minutes, Anderson saved to his right with brilliant reactions and two minutes later he was there again, this time to save with his legs.

In between this, Cramond's Marc Mulligan should have put his side 1-0 up but he screwed his shot wide of the left hand post with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Half Time 0-0

After his first half heroics David Anderson produced a rare error one minute after the restart when he allowed a speculative shot by Jordan Portouse to slip between his fingers and into the empty net to put Cavalry Park 1-0 up.

Suddenly, after a fairly even first half the Cramond midfield seemed to be non-existent letting Cavalry Park swarm all over the exposed defence. Colts had a great chance to put themselves 2-0 up on 39 minutes when first James Abercrombie and then Callum Mcintee missed the target from close range.

A Cramond free kick from 22 yards was swung in by the very influential Marc Mulligan on 42 minutes but it just missed the top right hand corner. The same player was straight through on goal 3 minutes later but chose to square the ball to his partner, Jordan Ng, rather than shoot himself and this allowed goalkeeper Ryan Agate the opportunity to adjust and save with a great sliding tackle.

It was a great chance for Cramond to equalise and they were made to pay for it just a few moments later as Cavalry Park made it 2-0 with a great individual goal by Callum Mcintee. He was fed the ball out on the right by Ryan Phillips and he drove in on goal, leaving his marker trailing, and tucked the ball away into the bottom left hand corner beyond the advancing keeper.

9 minutes later and it was 3-0. A corner on the right was hit hard and low by Eamon Khalid-Ali and the resultant stramash ended up with James Abercrombie poking the ball home at the back post.

Game over. Or so we thought. But Marc Mulligan had other ideas.

On 62 minutes he finished off a great cross from the right by Gary Keddie as he smashed the ball past Ryan Agate from the edge of the six yard box. And then with a minute still to go he converted a penalty to set up a tense finale.

But the Cavalry Park defence stood firm and on chances created deservedly went through to the second round.

Full Time 2-3

Several players were booked in this game by the slightly over-zealous Dutch referee Per Gjerding. In truth there wasn't any real malice and any of the tougher tackles in the final ten minutes were more out of frustration than anything else. There were several penalty claims that were also swept aside when it appeared a spot kick might have been in order much to the angst of the Cramond touchline.

This was a good open game between two evenly matched sides. Cramond had good performances from Ross Mason on the left hand side and Jordan Ng was always involved. Max Scott was a bustling, busy forward and at the back Paul Pearson had a very good match. Substitute Gary Keddie also had an impact when he came on. David Anderson had a fine game in goals.

For Cavalry Park Colts, James Abercrombie could have had 5 goals if he had had his shooting boots on. It was ironic that the goal he did score was when one of his boots had fallen off! David Suzonowicz gave them good width on the right hand side and Ryan Agate had a solid game as stand-in goalkeeper.

But this was a game between the two number 7's. Marc Mulligan showed terrific touch and control and was always looking to create something. He took both his goals very well. And for Cavalry Park Colts their outstanding sweeper Ryan Phillips handled everything that came his way with ease and was always looking to play the ball out of defence to a team-mate rather than just hoof the ball up the park.

So this week, The Pink Man of the Match award goes to both these young players. Marc Mulligan and Ryan Phillips.

Marc Mulligan and Ryan Phillips

*Cramond Boys Club are looking for boys at under 13 (born 1995) in the North West Edinburgh area to come and play for the club. They are also looking for coaches to help out at various age groups. The clubrooms at Davidsons Mains park are shortly about to undergo a refurbishment and club secretary Keith Summers was busy removing pennants and flags from the walls ahead of this. They also have numerous football kits available in various colours which they are happy to donate to a local club or charity to export overseas. Please contact Keith directly on 0131 539 6605 or 07738 392159.