AT the final whistle in the City Financial Edinburgh Eastern Region Under-17 Cup final between Easthouses and Currie Star at Hallhill in Dunbar, only one goal separated these two good sides and it was the team from Midlothian that went on to be presented with the prestigious trophy. But goals were the only thing in short supply in this excellent set-to between two very good young sides from the Eastern Region Youth FA.

In fact, this was another of seven action-packed finals sponsored by City Financial Edinburgh with the Currie goalkeeper, flying-machine Daryl Johnston, one of the star performers on the pitch. Johnston lived up to his reputation as a high-flier as he launched himself through the air to palm away dangerous crossballs in to his goalmouth, produce fantastic saves and, generally, give a wonderful display of goalkeeping. It was the Gracemount High School pupil who was, rightly, awarded the Player-of-the-Match award, sponsored by Edinburgh City Youth FC, at the close of  play to go along with his runners-up medal to remind him of his great display in goal for Currie.

But all the players in this game contributed to a thrilling spectacle. After a great opening spell, it was obvious this final was going to be close, with both teams playing lovely passing football allied with quick movement as the  play surged from end to end on this glorious pitch at New Countess Park at Hallhill. Referee William Connor kept up with play and his decisions were both quick and accurate. That was a major factor in this game, too, with the players responding in the best possible fashion and getting on with playing football while accepting Mr Connor’s decisions. Currie looked to be in the right mood in the opening spell of the game, playing their trade-mark passing football creating several half-chances in the Easthouses goalmouth.

But they found goalkeeper James McQueen in excellent form, too! At the other end of the pitch, Johnston threw himself acrobatically about his goal, somehow managing to prevent Easthouses from breaking the deadlock with tremendous agility and bravery. Johnston’s ability to get a hand to the ball whenever danger threatened – and it did time after time – was magnificent! After what appeared to be a very quick first half, the score was still 0-0 at the break despite the tremendous effort put in to the game by both sides.

Currie kicked off the second half in cracking style, attacking the opposition goal from the start, with Steve Bunyan firing in a great shot that was equally well held by McQueen – and that move and save set the scene for a continuation of this absorbing game. The first team to score a goal in this game was going to take a massive advantage and it was Easthouses that managed to make the vital breakthrough and it came from a set-piece corner. When the ball came across in the strong wind blowing at Hallhill, it was Kris Steel who got  his head to the ball to send it crashing past Johnston to put Easthouses 1-0 ahead.

The celebrations from Steel’s team-mates was a further demonstration on their part of how important that goal was to them. As the game continued, that became even more obvious with Currie virtually ‘running in to a brick wall’ when trying to get the better of a magnificent Easthouses defence. Meanwhile, Johnston’s acrobatics in the Currie goal continued to bring spontaneous applause from the appreciative and encouraging crowd on both touchlines. The Currie keeper brought off great saves from Graeme Young and David Gillan as the unrelenting pace of the game continued. With several players having to be treated for cramp, the closing minutes of this under-17 final were even more tense and Currie’s last chance of getting an equaliser disappeared when Daniel Forbes headed wide from a good position.

This Easthouses triumph was built on very good foundations of a strong and well-organised defence, with quick players up front and, on the day, they deserved to win, but the final scoreline was an illustration of just how close it was. Thanks should go to both teams and the match officials also for their respective contributions to a smashing game of football at this level. The honesty and commitment shown by both sets of players and their coaches made this such an exciting and enjoyable final to watch.

Easthouses – James McQueen, David Arthur, Kris Steel, Scott Gilchrist, Alasdair Mackinnon, Graeme Young, David Gillan, Kyle Brown, Paul McDermott, Danny Smith, Michael Chambers, John Howie, Mark Turnbull, Keith Macfarlane, Ross Reynolds.

Currie Star – Daryl Johnston, Gary Cennerazzo, Mathew Gilchrist, Scott Linton, Ross McWilliams, Ross Guthrie, Moray MacDonald, Tony Muir, Daniel Forbes, Stephen Bunyan, Ross Baird, Scott Clapperton, Daniel Hunter, Stephen Kenny.

Referee – William Connor.