North Berwick FC: delight for under-13s and under-16s

First on the Hallhill pitch were the under-13s who took on KSQ (Kirkliston South Queensferry) Rapids in the final of the Edinburgh Cup.

The county boys were two goals up in just three minutes and it was clear it would be a tough morning for the Rapids.

Further goals flowed as North Berwick's precise passing and speed proved too much for their opponents who were 6-1 down at the break.

The second half was a closer affair and the match ended in a comprehensive 9-2 victory for North Berwick (Eugene Sharp 2, Fred Stemp 2, Charlie Murden 2, David Pyrkosz, Max Hunter, Harry Churn).

Winning North Berwick under-13s' squad: Liam Baillie; Ruben Bunkell; Harry Churn; Max Hunter; Finlay Mackenzie; Daniel McLachlan; Finlay McMillan; Charlie Murden; David Pyrkosz; Saejin Sandison; James Seddon; Eugene Sharp; Fred Stemp; James Swan; Connor Weddell; Aleksander Wozinska.

The winning under-13s

Later that day at Hallhill, a Josh Spall hat-trick saw North Berwick FC's under-16s fight back from two goals down to defeat Musselburgh Windsor Blues in the final of the Division 3B League Cup.

Windsor opened the scoring in the first minute then doubled their lead midway through the first half following a scramble at a corner.

Spall gave North Berwick, who won the trophy last year, a lifeline just before the break to make it 2-1 to Windsor.

The second half saw North Berwick start strongly and Spall would soon claim his second before completing his hat-trick with a shot from outside the box to give North Berwick the lead.

Chances for both sides came and went and Musselburgh's hopes of clawing their way back into the match suffered a blow when they had a player sent off for a last-ditch tackle with about 15 minutes to go.

The game was still in the balance but there was no further scoring and North Berwick lifted the cup.

LOOK BACK: North Berwick under-15s win cup on penalties

North Berwick head coach Stephen Bedford said it had been a tough season, and player numbers had been down, but that the squad had targeted the league cup as they were desperate to defend their title.

"The final seemed to be over after the first 20-30 minutes, we were 2-0 down but the boys didn’t drop their heads," he said.

"They continued to stay positive and play football. The goal right before half-time really lifted the team, then the equaliser at the restart put us on the front foot and gave the boys that extra energy needed in a match like this.

"Josh took the third goal like a pro and not long after Musselburgh were down to 10 men. We sat a little deeper and soaked up the pressure.

"A great save from Oscar saw us complete the defence of our league cup. Thank you to the players and mums and dads and both my coaches, Stephen O’Rourke and Fabien Trachsler."

Winning North Berwick under-16s' squad: Oscar Sewera; Ethan Mulligan; Will O’Rourke; Archie Middleton; Archie Bedford; Harry O’Connor; Elliot Trachsler; Joseph Gerrard; Harry Stemp; Charlie Macintyre; Josh Spall; Ross Napier; Johnnie Hawkes-Cummings; Dan Smith; Daniel Seddon; Louis Napier.