Banks O’Dee Albion are into the semi finals of the Scottish Youth FA Cup after a convincing 3-1 victory over Paisley side Glenvale AFC. 

 

Three first half goals from Finlay Ness, Lewis Duncan and Kyle Dalling was enough to secure their place in the last four of the competition. A consolation goal for the visitors from Liam McMenemay came too late in the game to influence the outcome. 

 

Albion join Tynecastle, who knocked out Albion’s league rivals Lewis United in the quarters, in the semi final line up. The winners of the two remaining quarter final ties, Mill United BC v Gairdoch United and Wolves v Jerviston FC, which were both postponed due to the bad weather will determine who joins Albion and Tynecastle in the hat. 

 

Spain Park’s all-weather, 3G surface was put to the test as sustained, heavy snow joined the players on the pitch for the match. 

 

Glenvale AFC had the first chance of the quarter final after three minutes. A long free-kick was latched on to by striker Andrew McColl but he was thwarted by goalkeeper Kyle Leiper who reacted quickly to the danger. 

 

Chances were few and far between in the opening half of the first half, but that changed when Banks O’Dee Albion took the lead on 21 minutes. Finlay Ness’ low shot from the edge of the penalty area found the net via the far post. 

 

The hosts doubled their advantage ten minutes later when captain Lewis Duncan’s free kick from the right went over the head of goalkeeper Aiden McMahon. 

 

A pivotal minute in this match came just before the interval. Glenvale thought they had halved the deficit but McColl’s goal was disallowed for a handball in the build up. Then, at the other end of the pitch just a minute later, Banks O’Dee’s Kyle Dalling smashed the ball home from 10 yards to make it 3-0 Albion. 

Glenvale came out swinging for the second period and nearly scored within a minute of the restart. Liam McMenemay’s 30-yard free kick was initially saved by Leiper and the goalkeeper then leaped to save the rebound from McColl and the third shot from Kyle McLaughlin was brilliantly blocked by a defender. 

 

McColl was again denied by Leiper after he sped past Albion’s back line but his slotted finish was stopped by the feet of the goalkeeper. 

 

The visitors then came close to scoring again when a corner fell to McLaughlin but he stabbed the ball wide of goal from eight yards. 

 

McMenemay’s long-range free kicks were causing problems and they eventually paid off four minutes from time. The defender’s free kick from 25 yards sailed into the roof of the net to make it 3-1.