MUSSELBURGH Windsor under-14s staged a second-half fightback to beat Broxburn Athletic Colts 3-2 in a terrific Scottish Challenge Cup third-round clash at Stewartfield.
The West Lothian side got off to a great start when Andrew Davidson beat visiting goalkeeper Daniel Laing to open the scoring. However, Musselburgh soon awoke from their slumber, with Patrick Harrold prominent in setting up a couple of fine moves
up the left with Lee Edwardson. That gained Windsor two corners, but the big Broxburn defenders cleared the danger on both occasions.
At times, the Musselburgh defence looked hesitant, and Laing distinguished himself with a good save from the energetic Ewan Smith. Edwardson continued to trouble the Broxburn defence with his aggressive running and as the pressure built up, Broxburn goalkeeper, Paul Muir, saved shots from Jordon Burrows and Ryan McConville.
Corey Hook was in fine form for Windsor on the right flank, but his crosses into the danger area were well dealt with by the big home defenders. At the other end, Laing showed outstanding alertness to cut out a dangerous cross from Rhys McDougall. Broxburn went 2-0 ahead when John Bayliss sent a speculative cross from the bye-line to the right of the Windsor goal and the ball went over Laing and his defensive colleagues to land in the net just inside the far post. It appeared to be a lucky goal, but it put the home side 2-0 ahead.
Broxburn then enjoyed a good spell of attacking play and it took a quite fantastic tip over the bar from Laing to divert a raging shot from Smith for a corner. Laing reacted superbly again to deny Greg Powrie what looked a certain goal and it was still 2-0 at the break.
Musselburgh had the advantage of kicking down the slope in the second half and how they benefited from that advantage when the game was restarted by match official Dean Kay. Windsor attacked with lovely passing football and they won a penalty when Edwardson was brought down after a great run into the 18-yard box.
It was not a decision that was popular with the Broxburn contingent, but Euan Greig kept his cool to slam the ball into the left corner of the net to make it 2-1.
Brilliant play by Neil Watson then won a corner for Windsor and when the ball was delivered it took a great defensive header from Thomson to send the ball away.
But Windsor were now a potent force and went on to square the game when a thunderous free-kick from Jack Moffat smashed into the top right-hand corner of Muir's goal with the Broxburn keeper having no chance at all of saving the shot. Broxburn tried to pick up the pace but their confidence appeared to have dropped in the face of the Windsor attacks.
Musselburgh capitalised on their superiority by going ahead when McConville picked up another long clearance out of the visiting goal to run on and rifle a magnificent shot past Muir.
Broxburn had a quick chance to reply, but another free-kick from Bayliss proved to be no better than previous efforts. The home side worked hard to get themselves back into contention and it took another good save from Laing to deny Broxburn an equaliser.
With a resurgence in the home ranks, it was the turn of Windsor to drop off the pace and they were on the back foot as the home side mounted a fightback.
Laing was a real hero for Windsor and he continued to defy the home team whenever they threatened to score. This was a great result for Windsor against a team that is doing so well in the West Lothian youth leagues.
Windsor spokesman Stuart Turnbull said: "I am so proud and pleased for the boys. They really worked hard to achieve that win after trailing 2-0 at half-time.
"It was a great performance and I thought we deserved it as we played the better football."
Broxburn Athletic Colts: Paul Muir, Greg Powrie, Jordan Lee, Daniel Stavert, Callum Boyle, Jordan Crookes, John Bayliss, Dean Donaldson, Ewan Smith, Liam MacConnachie, Rhys McDougall, Graeme Thomson, Andrew Davidson, Jamie Edwards, Ben Gallagher.
Musselburgh Windsor: Daniel Laing, Euan Greig, Patrick Harrold, Kamran Tufail, Reece Docherty, Jack Moffat, Ryan McConville, Robert McFarlane, Jordon Burrows, Craig Turnbull, Lee Edwardson, Neil Watson, Corey Hook, Jed Davie.
Referee: Dean Kay.
