It was raining throughout the game at this park but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the players representing these two under-13 youth teams. The 'e' word, a succession of them, could quite aptly be applied to this game, enthusiasm, encouragement, energy (excessively so), excitement (in abundance), ecstasy (from both teams and their respective coaches when goals were scored) and the best praise of all for everyone involved - enjoyment. Total enjoyment, too!

This enthralling wee game of football, played in the best way possible without a wrong word from anyone throughout the game, ended in a 2-2 draw. That result, which will see the teams meet again this Sunday morning in a replay that will be played to a finish, was perfect from a neutral's point of view and with both sets of players and coaches lining up at the finish to shake hands with each other, the stage is set for another sporting encounter this Sunday. This was a game which showed up young footballers and their role-model coaches in the best possible way, there was nothing negative about this game at all, play surging back and forward up and down the pitch with each team having spells of being on top.

Civil Service Youth Whites opened the scoring following a huge free-kick from away out on the left touchline and the ball crashed in to the danger area for Ross Davidson to head the ball in to the Currie Star net to make it 1-0. The joy of the Civil Service contingent at scoring this goal did not last long, however, with the home side getting a deserved equaliser from another free-kick allowing Mark Hanlon the chance to score in the resultant goal-mouth scramble. The scoreline was still 1-1 at the start of the second half and the pace of the game did not drop at all in the second period. The home side went ahead for the first time in the game when a fierce drive from the right touchline skidded off the head of an unfortunate Civil Service defender's head and the ball shot high in to the net above goalkeeper, David Taylor.

Leading 2-1, the home side looked much more confident but the visiting side, obviously, were not in any mood to accept defeat. In a surging all-out attack on the Currie goal, the home defenders did not deal with the situation and Jamie Horne managed to slip the ball wide of the Currie goalie, Stewart Easton, and it went in to the net off the inside of the right-hand post to make it 2-2. That was still the score at referee Len Blackley's final whistle and it was the perfect result as far as I was concerned.

Neither side deserved to lose! Well done, both Currie Star and Civil Service Youth Whites. The replay is scheduled to take place at the lovely Civil Service Sports Association Ground in Muirhouse this Sunday, with a 10.30am start. The replay will go to extra time and penalties to get a result!

Currie Star - Stewart Easton, James McMahon, Euan Robertson, Andrew Bain, Fergus Wade, Chris Beattie, William Dorwood, Sam McNab, Euan Blue, Robbie Jack, Mark Hanlon, William Dalgleish.

Civil Service Youth Whites - Drew Taylor, Andew McKenzie, Cameron Pearce, Jamie Horne, Craig Rennie, Sean Rafferty, Owen Brady, Ryan Cairncross, Mark Reeves, Ross Davidson, David Neilson, Neil Routledge, Elliot Lockhart, Bradley Rayham.

Referee - Len Blackley.