YFS
An incredibly close and well-fought match saw Cramond FC Under-16s secure a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup with a 3-1 win over Stamperland.
The match kicked off in very difficult conditions with the wind and rain causing havoc in the early exchanges. Both teams struggled to keep the ball under control even when it was played along the ground.
Having said that there was a cup tie to be played and Cramond started the quicker forcing an early corner. The initial cross was half cleared but the second ball found Jack Hunter unmarked in the middle of the six-yard box, however his header was saved low at Stamperland ‘keeper Fin Christie’s left-hand post.
Cramond continued to press and nearly took the lead moments later when a corner was swung into the area. Fraser Rillay found space to glance a header towards goal but unfortunately for Cramond just wide of the post.
Stamperland began to exert their footprint on the game and created a series of chances. Firstly Adam Gorrie managed to get his head onto a cross into the Cramond box but it was just too high before the lively Kyle MacDonald angled a shot just wide of Sam Phillip’s goal. Ryan Anselm was next in on the action but his shot was well saved by Phillip.
You felt that the break-through wasn’t far away and right on cue Stamperland obliged. The ball was won in midfield and a defence-splitting pass released MacDonald who bore down on goal. He made no mistake, sliding the ball under the advancing Phillip.
The goal elicited a rapid response from Cramond who immediately went on the attack and a well worked move allowed Hunter to get a shot away. Unfortunately the attempt was too high to trouble the Stamperland ‘keeper.
A very windy first half drew to a close with Stamperland just edging it by a single goal. Things were set up nicely for the second half.