FOLLOWING the fighting that erupted on to the streets outside Olive Bank in an under-17 final in midweek, the police made an appearance midway through Sunday’s Under-16 League Cup Final between Seton Boys Club and their close East Lothian rivals, Preston Athletic, but there was no trouble either on the pitch or off it in this shoot-out in the sun at the elegant Musselburgh ground.

At the close of play, it was the Seton Boys Club squad that ‘walked away’ with the silverware and there was no reason at all for anyone to apprehend them as they were deserved winners in the all-East Lothian final. With a very good match official in Kevin Ferguson in charge of the game, it was played in a totally honest and committed fashion by both teams.

The big crowd sweltering – it’s true- in the brilliant sunshine at Olive Bank had to wait until the second half before they saw a goal, but it was worth the wait for the Port Seton contingent. At the end of a very even first half, it was honours even with neither goalkeeper having to pick the ball out of the their respective goal-net. Possibly, however, Seton did create the better chances without breaking the deadlock. In the 15^th minute of the second half, a welcome first goal did arrive and it was Mark Mason who delivered the shot in to the far corner of the Preston goal to put his side 1-0 up, with keeper Jamie Thomson unsighted on his goal-line. With Preston toiling to string their passes together, Seton stepped up their attacks and when a glorious left-tol-right crossfield pass landed over the back of the retreating Preston defence, John Turner was quick to seize his chance to drill a shot wide of the diving Thomson in to the corner of the Preston net to take the margin to 2-0 in favour of Seton Boys Club.

 

Kevin McKendrick’s side were deserved leaders at that stage and they went on to make it 3-0 with a penalty in the last minute, well put away by Gavin McCarthy. Prior to the start of this game, both sides made an impressive appearance at the Junior ground Musselburgh, with the Preston players looking immaculate in their white shirts and ties, offset by dark colours trousers. Seton Boys Club squad came to the game in their club tracksuits with the name of the club on the back. Both sets of players made an excellent impression in this way but it was surprising to see one of the Preston coaches stride off the pitch and into the dressingrooms at the finish, without showing respect to the winners by staying for the presentation. That unsportsmanlike behaviour was certainly not a good example to show the teenage boys in his squad! Seton Boys Club coach, Kevin McKendrick, on the other hand was his usual brilliant self, showing respect for his opponents while praising his own players at the finish.

Seton Boys Club – Gavin McCarthy, Scott Gemmell, Ross McCallay, David Cherrie, Stuart McKerracher, Mark Mason, Nicholas Coull, John Turner, Craig Eadie, Scott Marr, Gavin Richardson, Kevin Henderson, Alan White, Andrew Abbie, Stuart Wallace, Jordan Stevenson.

Preston Athletic – Jamie Thomson, Ryan McLaughlin, Sean Ward, James Conway, Jamie McIntyre, John Porteous, Charlie Roddick, Liam Todd, Scott Fulton, Thomas Faichnie, Paul Coutts, Nathan Hill, Daniel McNeil, Darren Scales, Liam Maloney 

Referee – Kevin Ferguson (Tranent).