Dyce produced a thumping second half to defeat Airdrie 4-0 and take the U13s Scottish Cup. Two goals from Matt McFarlane were complemented by a long range strike from Ethan Sutherland and an Aidan Brookes penalty, giving the Aberdeen side their silverware in the Lanarkshire team’s own stadium.

The opening half was scrappy and often lacking in concentrated possession. Dyce were quicker into the game, with their attacking players getting touches of the ball advanced within the Airdrie half. However, bar a 20 yard free kick by Brookes and cross-shot by Sutherland, in the 6th and 7th minutes respectively and both comfortably saved by Airdrie number one David Milligan, the pressure was at a distance.

Airdrie’s place in the match strengthened with a quarter of an hour played. Initially their endeavours produced no more than throw-ins, but soon direct balls began to show promise. These encouraged striker Michael McKinley to chase against the centre backs, and he won space for a brace of long but wayward shots.

On the half hour a fine saunter out of defence by Dyce’s Scott Robertson led to an unsuccesful penalty claim by Sutherland, and for a few minutes the final found a previously lacking bite. This piqued attitude duly produced the best chance of the half, as McKinley caught a hopeful punt, wrestled inside his two markers, and was only denied by the out-rushing Sam Inglis.

The second period was far less balanced. It began with Sutherland toe-poking a shot wide from 18 yards after 45 seconds, and five minutes later Brookes produced the first genuine quality, striking a free kick against the bar. That chance had been set up by a foul on substitute Gafar Abari who would enjoy a fruitful time both against his marker and, frequently, on an empty right wing.

Dyce’s increased intensity did not take too long to reap the opener. In the 45th minute McFarlane gained possession on the left side of the box, took the outside route, and stabbed a shot from wide left of the 6 yard box. In almost slow motion it rolled across and found its place just inside the right post. It was a gentle shot but had a major impact; the north-east side were ahead and ready to stamp out any doubt about who was the better team.

A brief flurry by the hosts did not result in a shot on target, and soon it was 2-0. The 52nd minute saw Sutherland with the ball in space 25 yards from goal. The intelligent pass was right to the unmarked Abari, but instead the forward struck a confident shot that went high over the reach of Milligan and settled into the centre of the net.

After that the game was like a river flowing downhill as Dyce put the match comfortably to bed. In the 57th minute McFarlane scored a fine third, turning his man on the edge of the box, holding off a second challenge, foregoing the again unmarked Abari to step inside a third defender, and ultimately rolling the ball under Milligan. The fourth was akin to a victory lap, as substitute Dylan Shaw broke from halfway, skipped past one challenge, and then was taken out by a second defender when he reached the left corner of the box. Aidan Brookes got his reward for a strong midfield game by putting his penalty into the left of the net via Milligan’s stretched hand.

4-0 had seemed an unlikely score at half-time, but it was hard to argue against. Dyce celebrated enthusiastically in front of their travelling band of supporters, and can pack the cup in their baggage as they head back north. A cup run that saw them repeatedly defeat Central Belt opponents has ended in the biggest prize.