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On a pleasant Monday night, the two top school sides from across Ayrshire met to see who would become the 2013 League Cup winners.  In a tight game, Grange came out with a well-deserved victory courtesy of a great strike moments into the second half.

Auchinleck started the game well and forged the first chance of the match.  A chipped ball put Thomas MacLean through one-on-one with Grange’s keeper.  MacLean attempted to lob the onrushing Greig Connor from the edge of the area and his effort finished just wide of the post.

Grange responded well and had a good chance for themselves.  Will Graham showed his strength in the middle of the park as he won the ball and went on a run from just inside the Auchinleck half.  The midfielder then played a lovely ball to his right winger who was then able to cross the ball to the back-post.  Logan Cameron got on the end of the cross but his header did not cause Curtis Lyle much trouble in the Auchinleck goal.

The Kilmarnock side continued to press and Ross Miller had a good chance which he could take.  The winger was played in just inside the box, on the right hand, by Jackson Sivewright.  Miller took a touch a smashed a shot across the keeper but Lyle produced a great save to keep the scores level.

As half time approached both sides had the opportunity to go into the break ahead.  Firstly, Grange’s Mark Walker got a cross in towards the penalty spot where Logan Cameron controlled the ball.  He smashed his shot towards goal from close range but Curtis Lyle was again equal to the shot.

Auchinleck had a decent chance to open the scoring after some great persistent play David McColm won the ball on the edge of the Grange area.  He laid the ball off to Mark Watson who took an early shot from twenty-five yards which went just wide of the post with the goalkeeper off his line.   

At half time, the sides could not be separated.  Grange were the better side as they created slightly more chances but Auchinleck stood firm, defending well and showed enough in the final third to prove they were a threat.

Half Time:  Grange Academy 0 – 0 Auchinleck Academy   
 
As the sides came out for the second half, Grange looked to get on the front foot straight away.  They were awarded a free kick twenty yards out from goal on the left hand side in a threatening position.  Llyal Cameron took the kick and smashed a shot at goal.  His effort flew into the top corner of the net to open the scoring minutes into the half.

Auchinleck responded well to going behind and had a good chance for themselves.  David McColm found himself one-on-one with Greig Connor as he got on the end of a long clearance.  The striker got into the box and placed his shot across Connor.  McColm’s effort, though, hit the post and rebounded back into play.

Auchinleck threatened again moments later as Frazer Bryden created a chance for himself.  The midfielder went on a long run down the right hand side which saw him get himself inside the penalty area.  He smashed a shot at goal with his left foot forcing a great save from Greig Connor.

Grange went on the attack themselves as they looked to double their lead.  Jackson Sivewright won the ball twenty-five yards out.  He showed some nice skill to create some space for himself and he got a shot away.  His effort finished just wide of the post with the Auchinleck keeper confident that there was no real danger.

Grange also had the final attempt of the match as they looked to give themselves a cushion going into the final few minutes.  A quick break from their own box saw Mark Walker driving into the opposition’s area.  He was under pressure from a covering defender as he got his shot away.  The effort was powerful but Lyle was equal to the shot and made a great save.

At full time, Grange came out 1 – 0 winners.  They were the better side over the course of the match and deserved their win.   
 
Full Time:  Grange Academy 1 – 0 Auchinleck Academy