HUTCHISON Vale under-13s have lost only one game this season, when losing to Edinburgh City early on, but there was never any chance of the dual winners of the Scottish Cup and U13 Tesco Cup losing for a second time when the two sides met in Vauxhall Belmont Cup at Saughton Enclosure.

Vale can claim to be the best team in their age group in Britain and Scotland this season and they cruIsed to another cup wInning success when running out 4-0 winners at the Enclosure. The confidence that runs through the Vale ranks enabled them to get the better of the good football passing Edinburgh City outfit. The sheer power and fitness of the Vale defence proved to be an insurmountable task to break down for their opponents in the Belmont Cup final. Vale got off to a quick start, taking the lead after only three minutes when Chris McLeod followed to net at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked by the overworked Edinburgh City keeper, Lee Miller.

The opening spell of the game played in bright sunshine was dominated by Vale, with their opponents having to work hard to prevent any more goals being scored. City eventually broke free from the onslaught on their goal but they were unable to complete good passing moves and Connor McGrotty in the Vale goal was virtually untested. Vale went 2-0 up when Conor Devaney smashed a great long-range effort at Miller but although the City goalie got his hands to the ball, it dropped behind him over the goal-line to put Vale 2-0 ahead at the break. It could have been worse for City, as Devaney had another great shot saved by Miller.

At the start of the second half, playing with the advantage of the strong wind, City took the game to Vale but they just could not produce the telling final pass that would have given them the chance to cut back on Vale’s 2.-0 lead. Midway through the second half, City went 3-0 down, with Sean Joyce scoring a superb goal, showing remarkable control of the ball in the crowded City goalmouth before firing his shot from close in past the helpless Miller.

To their lasting credit, Edinburgh City continued to play their passing game but they lost another goal when Jack Verth delivered one of his ‘specials’ from around 20yd out and the ball simply crashed past Miller to make the final scoreline 4-0 in favour of Hutchison Vale. It will be interesting to see how the players in these respective sides develop in the years ahead. Vale look virtually unbeatable in this age group, but the real hard work is to come for all their players if they are to go on and make the huge step up to fulfilling their potential. Edinburgh City have a great coaching team in their club and the boys they have will make significant progress, too, as they get bigger and stronger. The future looks bright for both these teams.

Hutchison Vale – Connor McGrotty, Cameron Scott, Michael Noble, Andrew Togneri, Jack Verth, Scott Coleman, Sean Joyce, Ryan Tennant, Chris McLeod, Kenny O’Brien, Jordan Thomson, Damian Orr, Chris Roxburgh, Stuart McGregor, Jack Blaikie, Conor Devaney. (I would like to apologise to Conor for mistakingly saying it was Sean Joyce who scored for Vale in their Scottish Cup final success against Hillwood Boys Club. The announcer at Airdrie gave out the wrong name, too – he should have announced it was Conor Devaney who scored for Vale).

Edinburgh City – Lee Miller, Craig Tulloch, Lewis Bain, Ryan Hutchison, Justin Thompson, Chris Kane, David McNeil, Chris Tobbin, Callum Milligan, Jordan Low, Kieran McGachie, Greig Murray, Kerr Young, Jack Downie, Callum Lewis.

Referee – Stewart Gregor.