Leith Academy are spot-on as they win Under-18 Cup for first time

Leith Academy survived a second-half comeback and a penalty shootout to defeat Musselburgh Grammar and win the Lothian Schools’ Under-18 Cup at Spartans in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh side were 2-0 ahead at half-time thanks to an eighth-minute goal by Mathew Salkeld and another right on half-time by Jake Montgomery.

Musselburgh had missed a few chances in the first half, but they managed to find the net through Brad White just six minutes into the second half and then Jason Jarvis snatched the equaliser with just under 15 minutes left on the clock.

Musselburgh received another boost when Ewan Farmer was sent off for a rather rash tackle. But a hectic final ten minutes failed to produce a winner.

So it was on to penalties, and Leith Academy triumphed after captain Rory Smith, Ben Cargill, Mathew Salkeld and, finally, Rayaan Digital did the business by converting from the spot.

Leith only missed one penalty, while Musselburgh missed two.

It was a first-ever win for Leith in the Under-18 Cup, and congratulations go to the youthful coach Finnley Martin. He left the school last year, but has come back to coach the senior team. “I’m absolutely delighted,” said the former pupil, who is studying sports coaching at Edinburgh College. “It’s the first time we have won the senior cup. The boys have been great.”

For the bearded captain, it was also a day to remember. “This is my last school match and it is the best way to go out,” said Rory. “I’ll continue playing football. I currently play for Leith Athletic Under-19s.”

The Under-16 final produced a more clear-cut result, Broughton High beating Preston Lodge 4-1.

Broughton is one of the Scottish Football Performance Schools – but only three of the players in the performance squad were allowed to take part in the final.