Vale bring Scottish Cup back to town
2002s too strong for Spartans
Craig Ritchie
The silverware keeps raining in on Paisley as Glenvale 2002s brought the Scottish Cup back to town following a stunning run to glory.
Vale headed into the 2018 inspiresport Scottish FA Youth Cup final in a determined mood having navigated a tricky route to the final at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.
Victories over St Mirren Athletic, PFD United, West Dyke Community Club, Charlie Miller Soccer Academy, Jerviston FC, Tynescastle FC, and Hillwood BC had seen the side battle tooth and nail to even just reach the final. But having racked up 35 goals in the process, and conceded just two, the Paisley boys were quietly confident of getting the job done.
In Spartans, Glenvale faced the side that defeated them on penalties in the 2017 final – a result which served as the only loss in games between the two.
But the memories of that day would be banished over the course of a famous 90 minutes in the side’s history as they finally got to grips with the coveted silverware following years of trying to get their name on the cup.
Spartans started in similar style to the 2017 final, while Glenvale had five new faces among the squad as they set out to bring home the premier trophy in boys club football for the first time in Glenvale’s 51year history.
Their Edinburgh rivals started on the front foot without really causing Glenvale too many problems. But it was Vale that would have the first effort on goal as Brian Connor cut in from the left only to be denied by the excellent Spartans keeper, Niall McFadden, who broke Glenvale hearts the previous May.
Connor’s early attempt appeared to bring added confidence to Glenvale, and with full backs Luke Christie and Marcus Lavery providing attacking flair down the wings, Spartans were spending most of their time attempting to keep it tight at the back.
But there was little they could do to stop Glenvale and the opening goal soon followed.
Good link-up from Rhys Best saw the youngster play the ball over the Spartans defence for Fraser Lee to bound on to after timing his run to perfection. And Lee wasted no time as he simply took a touch before finishing with a low, left-footed drive down to McFadden’s left-hand side.
With the bit between their teeth, Glenvale went on the hunt for the second goal. But a header from Connor was well-saved, while a strike from Cameron Crooks also found McFadden more than a match.
But Spartans soon sprang to life and showed their credentials as the current Scottish Cup holders. A freekick sailed just over the bar from 25 yards from Kieran Moyles, before a shot from Reece Mason struck the crossbar to give Glenvale a reminder of the threat that Spartans carried.
However, Glenvale always looked worthy of their lead and they doubled their advantage midway through the first half.
Christie played to Connor and, with a delightful first touch, found the run of midfielder Jack Smith who broke free from the man marking job of Spartans danger man Nicholas Reid to pick the ball up 20 yards from goal.
Smith then took matters into his own hands as he unleashed a stunning strike right into the top corner to give the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
With Spartans coming back from two down in their semi-final against Harmony Row, this game was nowhere near over.
Glenvale’s fears appeared to be realised just before half-time when Spartans were awarded what was a harsh penalty.
But lady lucky was on the Vale’s side as Glenvale keeper Ciaran McDowell, who had been relatively quiet until then, stood his ground and did enough to influence Keir Russell to blaze over the bar and allow Glenvale to go in at half time 2-0 up.
As expected, Spartans came out all guns blazing in the second half – but with the Glenvale midfield trio of Lee, Smith and captain Sean Borlan covering lots of ground, the chances created were not coming off as the Edinburgh side would have wished.
Two chances would fall for Spartans as the centre half pairing of Harry Pittaway and John Cumming were eventually broken down.
However, a header from six yards was well-saved by McDowell, who then stopped the follow-up effort with his feet to bail out his defence.
The keeper’s heroics appeared to knock the wind out of Spartans sails, and with the fresh legs of Aaron MacDonald, Aidan McLaughlin, Simon Adenkunle, Kyle McLachlan and Anton Calderwood being introduced, Glenvale were back on the front foot.
Spartans were clearly getting frustrated and resulted in matters boiling over with their striker Mason having a kick at Pittaway.
A booking was handed out to both, harshly against Pittaway, before McLaughlin was then hit by the ball on the back of the head resulting in him being stretchered off, with medical treatment being received in the dressing room.
This only served to rile up Glenvale as they went on the hunt for even more goals.
McDonald would cut in from the left and unleash a stunning strike from 25 yards into the top corner with McFadden somehow touching it over the bar.
The final whistle was blown soon after to a massive cheer, breaking free from all of Glenvale’s players, coaching staff and supporters, saved up from the previous four years’ near misses.
With Brian Connor deservedly picking up the inspiresports Man of the Match award, captain, Sean Borland then lifted the Scottish FA Cup to rapturous applause from the packed Excelsior stand, with celebrations going long into the night.
This was a victory very well received by teams and officials within , with Glenvale having proven themselves to be the best side in the country at this age group over the previous four seasons.
They won multiple leagues and cups, only ever losing in the Scottish Cup to the eventual winners in the previous three campaigns in the quarter, semi then final, twice on penalties.