A strong performance from A league side Lewis United Rangers Under 17s saw them progress to the semi-final of the Mark McEwan Regional Trophy with a competent 5-0 victory over high flying B league side Cove Youth FC.

Lewis United Rangers coach Dan Middler urged his team to take advantage of the wide playing surface and use their wingers. This showed early on when Arthur Morgan skipped past two and put in a dangerous cross which was well cleared by Cove.

Lewis broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when captain Conan Kennedy had his shot well saved by Cove goalkeeper Samuel Paterson, only for the rebound to be tucked away by Joe Wilson to set the scene early on for the hosts, Wilson used to play for McEwan at Culter United a couple of years ago so it was befitting for the forward to net.

Eleven minutes later, Lewis doubled their lead when a Morgan corner was headed home from six yards by Jay Halliday. Despite being 2-0 up and dominating play Lewis didn’t have things all their own way.

Cove had a couple of chances but nothing resulting in a goal. The nearest they came before half time is when a cross was met by Colby King and it fell to Jack Cowie whose shot was well blocked by Lewis keeper Balint Demus. The teams went in at half time with the hosts 2-0 to the good.

The teams exchanged chances early in the second half, firstly Coves David Oldroyd shot over from 12 yards. Then a long ball from Demus was allowed to
creep through to Dan Middler who rounded Patterson but saw his shot cleared off the line.

The next goal was going to prove decisive and it was Lewis who got it when one of the half time substitutes Rhys Thomas broke forward from midfield and shot home from the edge of the box a minute after the turnaround.
 

Cove tried to respond and Cowie had a shot go just wide of Demus’ left hand post. But Lewis reacted well when Middler played a neat ball through to Wilson who slotted home a fourth on 50 minutes.

Lewis’ fifth and final goal came when the increasingly influential Josh Petrie played a great ball through to Halliday who in turn scored and killed the tie 18 minutes from time.

Despite conceding five Paterson didn’t seem fazed pulling off a spellbinding save from a rising 18 yard shot from Petrie tipping the ball onto the post. This earned Paterson a MOTM performance for his side.

Overall Lewis deserved the win but Cove shouldn't feel disheartened having put up a brave fight against a strong Lewis side from the division above, congratulations to Lewis United Rangers Under 17s and commiserations to Cove BC. Lewis now take on the winner of Huntly FC or Middlefield Wasps in the semi-final. Cove BC are having a fantastic campaign in the B league and will be in contention for silverware come the campaign finale.