Docherty double secures Under-13 cup for Hutchie

Hutchie forward Jamie Docherty bagged a double for his side in a repeat of the Under-13s Scottish Cup Final played three weeks earlier.

Vale manager Alan McConnell expressed his delight at full-time and joked that his side are better to watch than some professional outfits. He said: “That’s better than watching Hearts and Hibs isn’t it? I’m delighted with the boys’ performance throughout the whole season and, to be honest, we could have scored a few more tonight. It’s great for the lads to win trophies.”

Hutchie were the dominant side from start to finish and took an early lead. After a sustained spell of pressure, Docherty’s turn and shot found its way into the far corner of the Musselburgh goal, leaving goalkeeper Jack Stewart with no chance of making a save.

Vale were spurred on by their opener and continued to boss the game, particularly in midfield where Calum Watson was impressive, spreading the play and wasting very little.

McConnell’s boys created the next opportunity 20 minutes through Euan McGuire. The midfielder burst forward from deep and was only to be denied by Stewart who superbly tipped his strike over the bar.

Windsor were lacklustre in the first half and failed to test Hutchie ’keeper Jamie Mitchell, who had the reassurance of a solid back four in front of him.

Hutchie created another great opportunity to double their advantage before half-time. After superb play between full-back Lewis Hall and Docherty, the latter cut the ball back towards Watson, whose drilled effort flew just over the Windsor crossbar.

The second half saw Hutchie pick up where they had left off and they came close to going two up when winger Ali McCann’s strike struck the bar after he had cut inside from the left flank.

Vale pressed Musselburgh high up the pitch and showed an astonishing work-rate as well as tidy football. Striker Fareid Yassein was presented with their next opportunity, but his effort when one-on-one with Stewart was well blocked by the Mussy stopper.

Hutchie did finally double their lead on 55 minutes when Docherty completed his brace. Having had a goal ruled out for offside just moments earlier, the No.7 found space on the 18-yard line and his left-footed strike nestled in the far corner.

This kicked Musselurgh into gear for the first time in the match and they created their first chance of note soon after conceding the second. Matthew Brady was played in beautifully behind the Hutchie back line, but couldn’t find the killer touch in front of goal, and the ball was eventually cleared.

Late on, Windsor had another opportunity to pull a goal back, again through Brady. This time he found himself with only the ’keeper to beat inside the area, but a last-ditch Hutchie challenge saw the ball won cleanly and it was eventually gathered by Mitchell.

Vale ran out easy winners in the end, in a match that could have inflicted a heavier scoreline upon Windsor. Musselburgh boss Hamish Stewart was disappointed to lose, but admitted his side were outclassed on this occasion.

He said: “I think there’s a bit of a gulf in quality between some of the players. Hutchie a very good team.

“I’m incredibly proud that the boys have got this far. To lose in both the Scottish Cup final and this cup final is no embarrassment.”

Hutchison Vale: Jamie Mitchell, Brandon Spowart, Lewis Hall, Kacper Balaban, Owen Richardson, Alistair McCann, Jamie Docherty, Calum Watson, Fareid Yassein, Robbie Polson, Harry Girdwood, Euan McGuire, Dillon Floyd, Fraser Martin.

Musselburgh Windsor: Jack Stewart, Cameron Leslie, Brok Robertson, James Brownlee, Jay Kilby, Greg Noble, Jay Willis, Liam Gregory, Tom Foley, Sam Grainger, Matthew Brady, Jack Leslie, Cameron Burt, Greg Ferguson, Euan Watson.