Youths: League and Cup double remains on for Currie Star 16s
The league leaders have been imperious this season but were pushed all the way in this game and were 1-0 down until just after half-time. They then took the lead before being pegged back again by Spartans, but they found a winner with 19 minutes to play.
The match came to life straight away with some lovely passing football in both directions, and it took only seven minutes for the first goal.
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Hide AdSpartans strike partners William Tweedie and Haseeb Hassan combined, with Tweedie crossing from the byeline and Hassan cleverly flicking a header beyond Aaron Hamilton.
There was a response from the home side and they had a string of chances to draw level in the first half. The woodwork was struck three times from crosses that nearly turned into more, and Jordan Mackie also hit the post with a low drive.
Currie came out flying after the break and had a goal within a minute. They won a corner straight from the kick-off and, after that had broken down, Harris Dracup’s fierce cross was turned into his own net by a defender.
The momentum continued and Currie were soon 2-1 up, just seven minutes into the second half. Marcus Forbes showed the Spartans defence a clean pair of heels after a burst of acceleration and finished well.
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Hide AdA good move involving Nathan Hay and Tweedie ended with Hassan firing over as Spartans tried to fight their way back in.
They did manage that on 56 minutes. When Hay’s header came back off the post, Tweedie bundled it over the line.
Currie had the best of the chances over the piece and they were able to score a decisive third. Keeper Hamilton’s long kick found its way right through and Dracup was on to it like a flash, showing strength and poise to keep control of the ball under pressure and score with the outside of his right boot.
Reds continued to plug away and endeavour to haul themselves back in with a chance of making the final. However, Star came the closest to scoring again on the break.
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Hide AdForbes was presented with a glorious chance by Angus Hoffie, who crossed low but the frontman fired over.
Hoffie had a go himself after homing in on goal from wide on the right, but his low effort was kept out by the feet of Jack Young.
At the other end, Spartans managed to win some corners and several of their attacks were ended by fouls. The best opportunity was a dead ball in a central position, but Daniel Spence’s effort sailed over the bar.
Currie managed to hold on and book their place in the final which will be contested by the league’s first and second-placed teams, with Easthouses overcoming Hutchison Vale Colts in the other semi-final.
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Hide AdCurrie Star: Aaron Hamilton, Josh Brock, Ross Lowder, Christian Graham, Conor McCabe, Callum Ritchie, Blair Primrose, Marcus Forbes, Rory Stephen, Jordan Mackie, Kieran Richmond, Gavin Wells, Ben Wilson, Harris Dracup, Ibraheem Malik, Angus Hoffie.
Spartans Reds: Jack Young, Felix Barley, Kayode Fatunmbi-Randall, Aidan Diffy, Louie Gibson. Murray Haldane, Haseeb Hassan, Nathan Hay, Simon Lyons, Luca Longmore, Jude McIntosh. Struan MacLean, Matthew Mullard, Archie Roscoe, Daniel Spence, William Tweedie.