Leith Athletic persevere to win Youth Cup Final
Leith Athletic under-15s gained revenge for their Scottish Cup Final heartbreak by defeating Eastside Rapids to lift the South East Region Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Dunbar United on Sunday afternoon.
Just weeks after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to the same opponents in the SYFA Scottish Cup Final at Broadwood Stadium, the Leith youngsters produced a spirited response to earn a 1-1 draw before winning 5-4 on penalties.
Eastside took the lead during a closely contested first half, but Leith responded impressively after the break. Phoenix Chan-Raiker levelled the match with a superb goal and was later named Man of the Match for his impactful performance.
With neither side able to find a winner during the 80 minutes, the final was settled via penalties and Nathan Hill calmly converted the decisive kick to spark euphoric celebrations among players, coaches and supporters.
The victory marked an emotional occasion for coaches Bobbie Young and Michael Laidlaw, whose final match in charge brought the curtain down on a decade-long journey developing the squad from their earliest days in youth football.
Leith Athletic Head Coach Bobbie Young said: "This was a phenomenal end to a wonderful coaching journey for both Michael and I. After the disappointment of the Scottish Cup Final, we wanted to see a spirited response from the team and that's exactly what happened.
"The players showed tremendous character and togetherness to come back into the game and then hold their nerve in the penalty shoot-out. To finish our time with this group by lifting a trophy is incredibly emotional and something we'll never forget.
"We've watched these young people grow not only as footballers but as individuals over the past 10 years. They have been a credit to themselves, their families and Leith Athletic throughout that journey."
The triumph was part of a memorable day for the Edinburgh club, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Leith Athletic's Under-13 side also lifted the South East Region Cup at Dunbar United, defeating Eastside Rapids in their final to complete a memorable double success for the club.