Youngsters put on a classic show in County Cup finals

Apr 30 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

FOR the second year in a row the future football stars of West Lothian were strutting their stuff on the Almondvale turf as the County Cup finals came to the home of Livingston FC.

The WLAYFC finals in all six age group, under 13s, under 15s and under 19s on Saturday and under 14s, under 16s and under 17s on Sunday, did footballing battle in front of an excellent crowd of football fans.

The opening game on Saturday was the under 13s Midland Engineering Services (MES) County Cup final where even after extra time is was impossible to separate Broxburn Athletic Colts and Armadale SC.

This meant the result would finally have to be decided by a penalty shoot out which finished 3-1 in favour of Armadale SC. A desperately disappointing ending for Broxburn but unbridled joy for Armadale.

Next up was Kerse Thistle and Armadale SC in the final of the under 15s Tam Dalyell County Cup.

Kerse forced their way into a two-goal lead, only for Armadale to score and create a nerve tingling final few minutes.

Despite heroic efforts Armadale couldn't force the game into extra time and Kerse Thistle ran out winners by 2-1.

Saturday's final match, the under 19s WLAYFC County Cup final, produced arguably the best game of the weekend.

The watching fans saw seven goals rain in the Almondvale nets as Broxburn Athletic Colts narrowly edged out Dunipace Juniors by 4-3.

Sunday morning opened with bright, warm sunshine and the under 14s Jock Adamson County Cup Final between Broxburn Athletic Colts and Bathgate Rose.

This was a rematch of the 2008 under 13s final, with Bathgate looking to avenge last year's defeat.

In the end, this Broxburn team won their second County Cup with a 3-0 success leaving Bathgate gutted for the second year in a row.

Sunday's second game was the under 16s Robert MacMillan County Cup final between Fauldhouse FCA (winners at under 15s in 2008) and Blackburn United.

Another tense affair with Blackburn holding out to take the trophy with a 2-1 scoreline.

The final game of the weekend was the under 17s WLAYFC County Cup final between Broxburn Athletic Colts and Fauldhouse FCA.

This was yet another tight battle with the teams deadlocked 0-0 at the break.

Fauldhouse took the lead in the second half but Broxburn didn't take too long to force an equaliser.

As extra time loomed, Fauldhouse claimed the prize with a magnificent winning goal with virtually the last kick of the ball.

Overall it was a tremendous weekend’s football for the talented troop of county footballers. The weather did its bit, other than a period of rain on Sunday afternoon, and over 2000 spectators paid to watch the games over the two days. Without exception each final produced some tremendous performances.

The WLAYFC would like to thank Livingston FC for use of their facilities and for their assistance over a very busy period leading up to the weekend.

Also many thanks to the small army of volunteers involved and to everyone who came along to support the event in whatever capacity.

For more pictures please visit www.westlothiancourier.co.uk