A controversial decision by under-13 Polar Foods Cup referee, Ian Parsons, in extra time, effectively ended Civil Service Youth’s hopes of beating Tynecastle Colts in the final at Paties Road.

With the teams locked together at 1-1 at the end of normal time and the match in the balance, it was a cruel blow to CS Youth’s hopes when referee Ian Parsons awarded a penalty kick to Tynecastle in the first half of extra time – then stunned everyone by red-carding CS Youth goalkeeper, Steven Taylor, for his challenge on Tynecastle No 9, Andrew Jones, that led up to the penalty award. In a game completely devoid of any malice or bad behaviour from anyone both on and off the field of play at Paties Road, it seemed harsh in the extreme to send off the CS Youth keeper. There appeared to be very little contact in the challenge and it also appeared to be an honest challenge for the ball. From the resultant spot-kick Jones stuck the ball away brilliantly to put his side 2-1 in front and that controversial goal more or less settled the tie in Tynecastle’s favour. They went on to make it 3-1 with a cracking goal from Connor Watt and that was the scoreline at the finish.

CS Youth put in a great finishing burst but it was not their night in front of goal. In normal time, Tynecastle created more chances to score but all they had to show for their efforts was a solitary goal in the first half from Ritchie Elder shortly before the half-time whistle. Despite having much less possession in the first half, CS Youth created several good openings themselves, but the spectators at the game were treated to only one goal – for Tynecastle.

Possibly a correct reflection on the balance of play, but it was CS Youth who stepped up their workrate in the second period and they got back on level terms with a super strike from Craig Lamb in the 6^th minute of the second half. This good young player held off a Tynecastle defender to send a well-placed shot wide of opposition keeper, Alan Andrews, to square the game at 1-1.

There were lots more chances at both ends in the time remaining with Tynecastle lifting their game after being pegged back to 1-1. Taylor made a great save to deny Tynecastle another goal then followed up with another superb save from Robert Wood as the pace of the game increased. Despite all the effort from these honest young players, the score was still 1-1 at the close of play.

At the start of the second half, there were good efforts at both ends with one shot smashing back in to play off the bar. Then came the defining moment in the penalty incident and from then on Tynecastle looked the winners all the way.

This was not a tough game, more a meeting of two young sides learning to play the game in a very sportsmanlike manner. In the light of that pleasant attitude shown by both teams and their respective coaches, it was all the more upsetting to see a player red-carded.