
Tynecastle FC got the game underway in what was the last South East Region YFA final of the 2014-15 season. Both sides started quietly, taking their time to have a good look at their opponents whilst probing for an opening.
The opening 20 minutes really only saw one good chance and that fell for Leith after seven minutes when Jack Hamilton squared the ball to Findlay Paxton, who fired a powerful drive just over the bar from 25 yards.
Leith were starting to edge the game which saw Aiden Walter go on a good run and managed to get a shot away whilst under pressure from a number of Tynecastle players. The shot was taken comfortably by Sam Robinson in the Tynecastle goal.
The men from Leith opened the scoring on 23 minutes when a long ball played forward was latched onto by Hamilton who found himself one-on-one with Simpson. Leith’s number eight took full advantage when he fired beyond Robinson into the empty net to put his side in front.
Tynecastle, who so far had not really posed much of a threat, created an opportunity through Callum Bremner but he put his effort from 20 yards out straight at Adam McLean in the Leith goal. Leith repaid the compliment when Paxton put his free kick straight down the throat of Robinson in the opposition goal.
Tynie started to get into the game and McLean had to react quickly to come and claim a ball played through from Jake Coulter looking for Aaron Wilson before the Tynecastle man could take advantage. McLean was called into action again when he had to make a sharp stop from Owen Winnik’s attempt at goal. He was involved in his side’s next move when he slipped in Coulter with a neat through ball but the linesman’s flag halted his advance deeming that he was offside.
Into the last five minutes of the half and Leith came close to doubling their lead when a long ball by Walters saw Hamilton try and lob the ball into the net. Luckily for Tynecastle, their pursuing player just got enough on the ball to deflect it away from Robinson’s goal.
Leith had their keeper to thank big time when he produced a tremendous double save to deny Tynecastle right on of the stroke half time to ensure his side went into the break with their one goal advantage in tact.