TWO excellent under-13 youth club sides produced a thrilling and totally enjoyable game of top-class football in an illustration of just how good the game at this level can be, given the right encouragement and support from coaches on the touchlines.

The Lothian Buses Eastern Region clash between Hutchison Vale and Edina Hibs at Redhall Park more than lived up to expectations, with the talented young outfit from east Edinburgh winning all three points in a 3-2 win.

The big pitch at Redhall Park was a challenge for both teams, but every inch of the ground was covered in what was a classic wee game of football. Match referee, Stewart Shearer, commenting at the finish, added: "It was a really good game between two good teams!" The result was in doubt right up to the final whistle, with fans of the Edina Hibs side showing their anxiety as the game went in to time added on by the excellent match official with their side's one-goal lead in jeopardy! The roar that went up when the whistle blew for full-time was as much in relief as anything  else. In an all-out display of attacking football at the start, Vale looked impressive but it was Edina Hibs who were celebrating the opening goal in the 5th minute when Sam Todd collected a long clearance out of defence to run in from the left and lob the ball over the outrushing Vale keeper, Jamie Clelland to make it 1-0.

Vale, playing the passing football that is a feature of teams from this club, got back on level terms in the 18th minute when Ewan Smith crashed home the equaliser. The action in both goalmouths up to half-time had the spectators on both touchlines on their toes, and Edina goalie, Kyle Hannah, pulled off two great stops to deny Vale another goal. At the other end, Todd - who was in brilliant form for Edina - went close to scoring a second goal for his team. It was still 1-1 at the break and the second half was an even better game of football.

Edina had the ball in the Vale net, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. But Edina did nose in front early on, with a tremendous free-kick from Jack Bruce proving too hot to handle for Jamie Clelland and Reece Donaldson followed up to hammer the rebound off the keeper high in to the net to make it 2-1. Play surged back to the other end and Sam Stanton headed over the Edina bar from a good position. Then Hannah distinguished himself again when racing from his line to deny Ewan Smith the equaliser. Todd again showed great skill in setting up another shot at goal for Edina, but the final shot did not trouble the Vale keeper. Then Smith produced another moment of pure magic with an exceptional long pass from midfield to team-mate Nial Doherty and he ran on to lob the ball over Hannah as he came off his line to make it 2-2.

This contest between these two young sides had everything you could possibly expect in a game of football and the final goal that won the game for Edina Hibs was another stunning strike, the ball coming across the Vale 18yd line from the left and Sean McPherson, one of the busiest and best players on the park, simply lashed the ball over the helpless Vale keeper in to the roof of the net. In the remaining time left, Vale threw everyone forward in a bid to get back on level terms, but time ran out on them. This was a great game to watch and I can only say that I enjoyed every minute of it - from my neutral  point of view!

 

Hutchison Vale - Jamie Clelland, Mike Langdale, Connor Pont, Dean Crane, Jack Hood, Scott Gray, Bradley Crane, Ewan Smith, Laim Walkinshaw, Neal Bentley, Ross Brady, Sean Higgins, Sam Stanton, Craig McBride, Nial Doherty.

 

Edina Hibs - Kyle Hannah, Josh Riddell, Jack Bruce, Ross Dickson, Declan Fergus, Reece Donaldson, Sean McPherson, Jake Stevenson, Scott Main, Aaron Blues, Sam Todd, Andy Keighren, Kerr McLernon, Haydn Crane, Shaun Meikle, Liam Fellenger.

 

Referee - Stewart Shearer.