YFS
East Kilbride met Hurlford in the final of the Scottish Cup on a chilly Sunday morning the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. It was a fantastic match by two teams determined to play attractive attacking football despite the biggest of stages.
Hurlford took the lead in the first half, courtesy of Conan Mackin. An early goal after the break from East Kilbride's Dylan Collins levelled up the scores and from that point onwards it was both goalkeepers that stole the show for the regulation time that remained. Both sides could have snatched it during extra time but it was that man Collins who kept his cool and sealed Scottish Cup glory for Kilby.
East Kilbride needed extra time to win their very first match in this competition against Clydebank. They then saw off Rossvale and Gartcairn with a little more ease (although the Gartcairn tie did go to extra time), before a last minute goal won a gripping tussle against Hill O'Beath, again with the help of extra-time. Two established Edinburgh sides were next up, but the Lanarkshire side were able to negotiate their way past Hutchison Vale and Edinburgh City to seal their cup final berth.
Hurlford's road to Airdrie began with a few routine victories over KSC Kilwinning, Caledonian YC and EK Burgh United. They then secured an impressive victory over a well renowned Cantera side, before hitting four against Kirkfield United, Westdyke CC and Jerviston in succession to reach the final.
For Hurlford, they were aiming to make history and win the club's first ever Scottish Cup at youth level. EKFC were victorious at the 2002 age group a couple of years back, but the 2001 squad were chasing their first cup win.
For Hurlford, they were aiming to make history and win the club's first ever Scottish Cup at youth level. EKFC were victorious at the 2002 age group a couple of years back, but the 2001 squad were chasing their first cup win.
The first half started at a frantic tempo, with neither team able to take a grip of the match. The play swung from end to end, with the Hurlford fans in full voice from the first whistle.
With nearly ten minutes on the clock, East Kilbride had the first clear sight of goal. Max McWilliams created space brilliantly in the attacking third and then delivered the killer pass for Ross Smith. Smith took an excellent first touch and drilled the ball across goal, but Lauchlan Kirkland saved well with his feet to keep the score goalless.
Within a few minutes the scoring was opened and it was at the other end of the part it happened. Hurlford's Jack Mullen showed excellent composure in midfield and produced a perfectly weighted through ball for Conan Mackin, who lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
The remainder of the half continued in a similar fashion. Kirkland was called upon to make a few routine saves and his opposite number Adam Haynes likewise. However, neither side could add a goal in what remained for the first half, leaving the Ayrshire side the happier with their slender lead at the interval.
