Edinburgh City prevail in hard fought Challenge Cup triumph as Hearts youngsters play out eight-goal thriller
Edinburgh City, Spartans, Hearts B and Hibs B were all in action on Tuesday night in the league phase of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
Edinburgh City boss Michael McIndoe described his side as ‘dynamic’ in their 1-0 victory over Dundee United B in the KDM Evolution Trophy -as Hearts B are praised after downing Kelty Hearts in an eight-goal thriller.
City forward Lennon Walker’s first half long range strike was enough to split the teams at the Meadowbank Stadium. McIndoe was proud of his side’s efforts despite making multiple squad adjustments. After the match, he said: “I thought we were really good and dynamic tonight - especially first half. We weren’t always ourselves but I think that’s only natural after making three of four changes. So it was good enough, but we should’ve been 3-0 up at half time.”
Meanwhile, Spartans were held to goalless draw by Lowland League side Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale. The visitors dominated the statistics in terms of shots on goal, however it was Rovers substitute Zack Tomany who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the dying minutes as his striker struck the crossbar. Spartans forwards Ricardo Dinanga and Mackenzie Ross were both denied in the first half as interim boss Paul Thomson left the Borders with a point.
Hearts prevail in five-goal thriller
It was much more eventful affair at New Central Park, where Hearts B defeated fourth tier side Kelty Hearts 5-3 on the night. The Jambos found themselves 4-1 up at the break thanks to a first half hat-trick from forward Jaedon Donkor, as well as a well taken strike from midfielder Gus Stevenson. Right back Euan Glasgow put the game out of sight for the Jambos before the hosts grabbed a couple of late consolation goals. Kelty boss Michael Tidser said: “They’re a good side, Hearts B. Full of energy, full of enthusiasm. They had quality and they punished us in the end - but also, a lot of goals came from our own mistakes.”
Hibs B are still yet to get off the mark in the league phase as they lost 4-1 to Scottish League One side Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium. After going two goals down early in the second half, Hibees right back Cole Shankland got a goal back for the visitors, however Alloa soon hit back with two late strikes to put the match out of sight. As all four Wasps goals came from crosses, Hibs B manager Darren McGregor was left frustrated about recurring errors. He said: “For the large majority of the game we've done OK against a really experienced League One team. But the goals we conceded are poor, and were all crosses into the box.”
How are the Edinburgh clubs faring in the KDM Evolution Trophy league phase table?
With just two games to go of the league phase, Edinburgh City find themselves sitting pretty in the sixth position, which would see them into the round of 32 as a seeded team if they can hold on. Meanwhile Spartans sit just outside the knockout stage qualification spots in 24th - but are very much within touching distance of those around them.
Hearts’ result means they move up to 12th place in the standings as they now take the title of the best performing Premiership B side in the competition. For the Hibs youngsters, knockout qualification is now all-but impossible, as they sit 38th out of the 40 teams.
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