Portobello CFA’s double meant they were crowned champions of the South East Regional Cup after beating Tynecastle FC at New Countess Park. Despite having their chances, Tynecastle were unable to stick the ball past star player Thomas McLean as Russell Bowers and Josh Sharkey netted one a piece to win the cup.

Portobello started the game well with various chances coming in quick succession, arguably one of their best came in the 15th minute.

Russell Bowers pass to Tadgh Flanagan-Woodhead inside the area on the right allowed the player to get a shot away. However, the effort was saved at the near post by keeper, Kyle Wilson.

They had another good chance moments later, this time from a free kick in the 18th minute.

Portobello’s Dean Coyle stepped up at the edge of the left side of the box with his shot going towards the left-hand side of the net. However, Tynecastle keeper, Wilson made himself known once more as he dived to save the effort.

Tynecastle then began to grow into the game in the last 15 minutes of the half with a ranged effort coming in the 29th minute.

Charlie Green decided to challenge the keeper with a shot from 15 yards out but the ball arrived straight at the keeper.

Despite Tynecastle looking like they were getting a grip of the game, they conceded their first of the match in the 37th minute. Portobello’s Flanagan-Woodhead and Bowers linked up once more with the former sending the player through on the right side of the area.

Bowers then sunk the ball into the bottom left hand corner giving his side the advantage going in for half time. 

Tynecastle built on the momentum they created from the first half as they went into the second. Creating a lot more chances, they looked like they were going to level the spoils. Their chance in the 59th minute was the best they had up to that point.

Alassan Jones fancied his luck as he shot from range with the ball deflecting as it travelled towards goal. However, keeper Thomas McLean read the deflection well and calmly collected the effort.

They had another chance soon after thanks to some good link up play between teammates.

John Robertson passed to Matthew Dillon on the right flank in the 65th minute where the player decided to shoot outside the area. However, the effort narrowly went wide of the left-hand post.

Chasing their equaliser, Tynecastle continued to press the Portobello defence and challenge their keeper with an array of shots. In a great team effort, they almost managed to stick one past the keeper with a late chance coming in the 79th minute.

Linkup play from Alassan Jones, Sean Ward, Andrew MacKay allowed the trio to set up Matthew Dillon inside the box. Dillon then shot towards goal but McLean made his presence known once more as he saved the dangerous effort.

With all the action building up to the conclusion of the game, Tynecastle had another great effort in the final minute of regulated time. John Robertson’s shot in the 80th minute from outside the area looked like it was arriving perfectly at the left side of the net until McLean saved his side once again with a diving save.

Portobello then hit the exposed Tynecastle on the counter with Flanagan-Woodhead sending in Josh Sharkey in the 80+1st minute. With only the keeper to beat, Sharkey shot towards the left side of goal but his effort was saved by the keeper.

A minute later though, Portobello CFA netted their second of the game to seal the win.

Flanagan-Woodhead and Sharkey were on the counter attack once more when the former slid the ball across goal where Sharkey tapped the ball into the right side of the net. A goal that cemented their status as champions of the South East Regional Cup.