Edinburgh United U17's eventually earned their first League win of the season against a determined Edinburgh City Colts. This was their third meeting so far this season with the spoils equal to date in previous cup encounters.

 

After a good run in the cups, and with one semi-final still to play, United have fallen behind in League matches played and it was important for them that they started to make ground on the teams above them. United were very unlucky to lose out on an injury time winner last Saturday at Dalkeith and they were determined that it would not be repeated this weekend.

On a perfect day for football at Sighthill and after the "dog extras" were collected by the City coach he then turned to getting on with football. It was City that came flying out the traps and their tricky winger produced a great chance in only two minutes. After a great run down the wing his superb cross was met by the centre-forward who was unable to get a clean strike on the ball, but he still deceived the keeper and his shot rebounded off the post. An early warning sign for United.

It wasn't long before the first United chance was created. Chris Ross stretched the defence and played a superb ball down the right wing for Steve Griffin to meet, but his cross was easily plucked out of the air by the tall keeper.  

It was a tactical affair with many personal battles being fought in the centre of the park. Big Iain Mortimer was playing a new role and stifled many attacks by quickly closing down the City midfielders. Jordan & Sam hand their hands full as City aimed their attacks through their right back.

United broke the deadlock half way through the first half, a jinking run by Steve Griffin was rewarded with a penalty after he was brought down in the box. It was an easy decision for the very competent referee Tom Carter. Steve stood up and stuck the penalty away himself to put United in front.

 

 

A change of personal was forced upon United as Smithy who was trying to play through the pain barrier pulled up. A defensive shuffle unsettled the balance for a short period as Smithy was replaced with Cosy coming on into midfield and Chris moving back into defence.

City were far from out of it and came back at United, winning a series of corners. At one point the United coach had to seek some understanding from his goalkeeping coach. Dani, in goals, was having another superb match but had a ‘crazy goalkeeping moment’ as he came to collect a corner that the jolly green giant would have struggled to reach. Dani scared the pants of the coaches as the ball flew 10 fleet above his head, a worrying moment as he was 15 yards off his line at the time !!! I had to ask if all keepers were as crazy as him?

United held it together until half-time and playing up the slope they came close to adding to the score. Michael Collin turned 25 yards out and struck a superb dipping left foot shoot that rebounded off the bar. United also had a few close calls as they broke through the City defence but were pulled up for offside much to the dismay of the United coach that was in line with the forwards.

The second half started with United more on the ascendancy. The midfield pairing of Morti & Cosy was working well, Dunlop gave great width down the left and the defence held strong. Richard marshalled the back four and Jordan Said snuffed out the threats down the wing that caused problems in the first half.

 

 

 

More personnel changes were made through the second half as United aimed to keep fresh legs on the heavy park. Joe replaced Cosy after a great shift by the returning star. Marti came on up front and then dropped back to replace Michael who had put in a great shift but was now "cream-crackered". Allan came back on up front to give some much needed energy and stretched the City defence. Andy Bright was solid at the back and was putting in another great performance on the back of last week.

United had a great chance to sink City as the ball fell to Allan Chalmers only yards from goal, but as Allan tried to be too precise, his attempted chip was well saved by the City keeper. Allan then played the ball of the game just shortly after this. His through ball split the defence and the keeper made a bursting run to clear, this however was an extremely scary moment as his through ball was an unannounced pass-back and woke up the entire United defence. I am sure the coach also woke Allan up with his words of support !!!!

City continued to press for the equaliser and pushed United deep into their half, but as they pushed forward they left gaps at the back. United counter-attacked and stretched the City defence and the fast flowing game should have surely had more goals. City gave away a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas but United were unable to capitalise as the City wall held strong.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, it was backs to the wall for the United players who were nervous about losing a goal and the worry of that much needed win being grasped from them. Fresh legs were again introduced as Joe returned to the centre of the park to introduce his boundless energy. City came close in the last few minutes as a scuffed shot slithered past the keepers far post. The full United squad were on tender hooks and the nerves were showing, Allan found the energy to run the ball into the corner in the last few minutes to eat up some much needed time.

The final whistle sounded and United, despite only playing football in stages, were relieved that they had closed the gap on the teams directly above them. Games in hand mean nothing if you don’t start collecting points. This was a great advert for youth football with both teams sporting to the end. Not a Champions League encounter as the City coach smiled and remarked, but credit must go to both teams in the spirit this ‘Local Derby Match’ was played in.

 

Edinburgh United :- Daniel Mackenzie, Andrew Bright, Jordan Said, Jordan Smith, Richard Fraser, Chris Ross, Iain Mortimer, Joe McVey, Sam Campbell, Steve Griffin, Michael Collin, Martin Smith, Allan Chalmers, Grant Frier, Andy Cosgrove, Craig Dunlop.