LEITH ATHLETIC gave their all in the Cinema Cup final against the crack Drumchapel United at Camelon, but it was not good enough and the Glasgow outfit ran out 2-1 winners.
After a shaky start, it was Leith Athletic who went in front with a tremendous goal from Steve Radzynski in the tenth minute.
The Leith No.9 was a real star for his side and looked to be the one player who could really trouble a very composed and
organised Drumchapel defence.
Leith's lead lasted just two minutes, when the defence failed to deal with a corner from the left and it was the unlikely figure of Drumchapel skipper and central defender Alex King, who headed the ball past keeper Iain Gordon.
Foster's Central Scotland League side Leith then put themselves under terrible pressure for the remainder of the first half, giving the ball away needlessly when passing out from defence. Indeed, it was only the brilliance of Gordon in the Leith goal that prevented any more scoring before the break. Drumchapel could have been out of sight by that time, with their No.9, Alex Clearie, on the right having an outstanding game.
Despite creating far fewer attacking moves that their opponents, Leith still managed to create a couple of half-chances, but they were given no time for a second bite by the quick, confident rearguard.
While Drumchapel were well in control in the first half, they needed a slice of luck at the start of the second to clinch their third trophy of the season, having already finished their league campaign as champions while also winning the West of Scotland Cup.
After keeper Threlfall had been put under pressure in the Drumchapel goal, the ball was cleared upfield and as play switched to the other end, a cross from the left was knocked past the helpless Leith keeper by a defender. Going 2-1 behind was a sickener for Leith Athletic and they never really looked like getting back on level terms.
Indeed, it was Drumchapel that should have gone further ahead, with William Nicholson firing a shot over Gordon's crossbar after a brilliant short-passing move.
Frankly, it was due to the continued bravery of Gordon that kept the score down to 2-1. Radzynski continued to trouble the Drumchapel rearguard but Leith just did not have the cutting edge to overcome the deficit.
In one goalmouth clash, Threlfall lost the ball in a challenge with McAuley and the ball dropped loose behind the Leith No.11, but by the time he got his bearings, the ball was hammered away for a corner with the Drumchapel keeper lying on the ground.
Andy Penman came on for Leith to inject some pace – and passion – up front to help Radzynski and that duo managed to create another half-chance, but Penman was crowded out before he could get a shot in to test Threlfall.
At the other end, it took a great clearance from Andy Milligan to stop the ball going in to the Leith net. In a gripping finish, Leith threw everything into attack, while Drumchapel looked very dangerous when they broke away, with Clearie impressive on the right flank. It took another fingertip save from Gordon to deny Drumchapel and the Leith keeper was relieved to see a screamer from Nicholson zip over the crossbar.
The Cinema Cup was handed over to Drumchapel skipper Alex King, by Hugh Knapp, a top official from the Scottish Amateur Football Association and he praised both sides when he said: "The game was played in a great spirit by both teams and I congratulate them also for producing such a good cup final."
The man-of-the-match award went to Drumchapel's Andrew Paterson.
Leith Athletic: Iain Gordon, Andy Milligan, Doug Thom, Michael Stewart, Martyn Wallace, Kevin Freedman, Jamie Lauder, Rory Stewart, Steven Radzynski, Chris Beaton, Scott McAuley, Gary Young, Andy Penman, Stuart Hunter, Matthew Hutchison, Andrew Fraser.
Drumchapel United: Scott Threlfall, Michael Brown, Andrew Paterson, Alex King, Michael Kennedy, Anthony Adams, Stephen McDevitt, Eric McKellar, Alex Clearie, William Nicholson, Paul Borland, Richard McGuire, Michael Doyle, Stephen Patrick, James Stewart.
Referee: Robert McKendry.
The full article contains 703 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
