St. Mark’s Park, home to Craigroyston, hosted this Jackie Faichney Memorial Cup Final where Tynecastle edged a very exciting, nine-goal thriller to lift the silverware and complete a cup double.

Both sides entered the cup final full of confidence. Spartans have enjoyed a brilliant season and know that if they win their games in hand, they will clinch the league title. Tynecastle, on the other hand, currently top the league and were victorious in the South East Region Cup on Sunday and it was they who started the brightest.

Only six minutes on the clock and a free-kick from Robbie Neave caused a mix-up between the Spartans defence and keeper. The ball fell to Sami El Yamani and he nodded the ball into the empty net to put Tynecastle in front.

The first-half proved to be an end-to-end affair and, as a result, Spartans responded immediately. A Spartans corner was delivered but the Tynecastle defence could only clear to the edge of the box. The ball was returned into the box by Michael Mbewe and Nicholas Reid was on hand to volley into the back of the net to level-up the score.

Then, just before the 20 minute mark, Tynecastle retook the lead. Liam Miller played an excellent through ball to Kieran Ngwenya who controlled and passed the ball into the back of the net.

Tynecastle would have hoped to hold onto the lead for longer this time; however, seven minutes later, they were pegged back again. The referee awarded a penalty for an apparent push on a Spartans attacker. Nicholas Reid took responsibility from the spot and stepped up and smashed the ball into the top corner to equalise yet again for Spartans.

Just before half-time, Tynecastle went in front for a third time. There didn’t seem to be much danger when Spartans’ Kieran Moyles had possession in his own half. He played the ball back to his keeper, Niall McFadden, but the ball hit a massive bobble and bounced over McFadden’s foot and the ball went into the net.

It was a very lucky goal to put Tynecaslte into the lead. Nonetheless, they held on to go in at the break 3-2 up.

The second-half was much more one-sided than the first as Tynecastle began to take control.

After 50 minutes Tynecastle were given a penalty of their own. Substitute Arran Laidlaw was given the ball by Sami El Yamani, and he ran into the box but was pulled down by Kieran Moyles. Scott Jardine took the penalty, but his effort was well saved by Niall McFadden.

However, Tynecastle didn’t let this penalty miss impact their performance and, five minutes later, they increased their lead. Cameron Fraser was given space to find Kieran Ngwenya, who composed himself and found the bottom corner to make it 4-2 Tynecastle.

Ten minutes later Spartans pulled another goal back. Nicholas Reid bulldozed his way through the Tynecastle defence, and his shot went in off the post as Reid claimed his hat-trick.

Spartans would have hoped to use this goal as a springboard to get back into the match, however, Tynecastle began to take control.

Firstly Cameron Fraser won his side another penalty after he was felled in the box. This time Fraser took responsibility himself and calmly passed into the bottom corner to make it 5-3 Tynecastle.

Then, four minutes from time, Tynecastle put the game to bed. Scott Hunter was played in on goal, and he lifted the ball over the keeper expertly to put his team 6-3 in front.

With Hunter’s goal, the game ended as a contest, and they were able to see out the game to win the trophy. It was a special night for the Tynecastle players as they completed the cup double, winning both trophies in the space of three days.