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SCOTTISH CUP DUEL IN THE SUN ENDS
ALL SQUARE
The Dalkeith coaches are looking forward to the replay and they both expressed their admiration for the players from both sides at Leith Links, saying: "There were so many good players on the pitch and it was a brilliant game played in the very best spirit, possible." Referee, James Sim, made his own contribution to the game and he showed once again why he is one of the best match officials in youth football. The players on both sides knew they had a good referee in charge and they concentrated on their own respective games. The bonus for everyone watching on the touchlines was the enjoyment of watching a classic duel in the sun (yes, the sun was blazing down on the pitch at Leith Links on Sunday!). The visiting side, who lost 4-3 to Leith in a league fixture the previous week, were fired up for the start and Leith were very lucky, indeed, to survive a whirlwind start by the Dalkeith outfit. Leith goalie, Ramath Tufail, was in brilliant form and he was constantly in action as the visiting side hammered away at the Leith defence in search of an early goal. Tufail was almost caught out by a corner on the right and the ball swerved in and almost crossed the line before the goalkeeper beat it out with both hands, while Dalkeith claimed the ball had crossed the line. Mr Sim was perfectly placed to turn down that claim and the play raged on - from end to end with the Dalkeith goalie, Scott Brown, looking very confident and assured when dealing with all Leith could throw at him. Jack Combe was one of the stars in the Leith ranks and it was he who caused the Dalkeith rearguard the most problems. At the other end of the pitch, the visiting side had several players in top form and Leith were lucky to make it to the half-time break without losing a goal. That was the only thing missing from this wonderful Scottish Youth Cup tie. Everything that is good in football was in display in this game, apart from a goal. The second half was even better than the first, with two goals - one for each side - to add the missing ingredient in a game that reached terrific heights. Dalkeith were shocked when Jack Combe ran on to a bouncing ball through the middle of their defence and the Leith player showed great skill and composure when outwitting the outrushing Dalkeith keeper to win the ball, control it and then carefully stroke it in to the empty net while being challenged to put the home side 1-0 ahead.
It was against the run of play for Leith to break the deadlock but it was a great piece of opportunism by Combe for all that. Dalkeith, however, reacted in the best possible way to losing that goal, and they went hunting for the equaliser. It duly came, too, when Stephen Doughrie - one of the top players on view in this game - managed to get to a ball finger-tipped away by Tufail following a corner on the left - to plant the ball in the Leith net for a deserved equaliser. The all-out attacking policy of both sides ensured it was a nail-biting finish for the spectators lucky enough to see these two teams in action. Combe again beat Brown in a race for a
loose ball, but their were no team-mates quick enough to get to his
cut-back and the danger was cleared. At the other end of the pitch, the
Leith defence were pushed to the limit to keep Dalkeith at bay as the
visiting side went looking for a winner. In the last move of the game,
Tufail again managed to clear a dangerous cross-ball in to his
goalmouth. The replay should attract a big crowd and, hopefully, the
players will again play great football and the thrills and enjoyment
will surely follow! Certainly, both sides showed how good they can be in
their first meeting.
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THE
Dunfermline Building Society Under-16 Scottish Cup first-round clash
between Leith Athletic and Dalkeith Boys Club was a fantastic advert for
football at this level in Scotland. These two excellent sides will have
to meet again due following their 1-1 draw and if the replay in Dalkeith
matches the first meeting of the two clubs it will be another
magnificent game of football to admire and enjoy.
