Local heroes: Bold Bo'ness lift Bauld Cup after a thriller

EDINBURGH UNITED and Bo'ness United produced a thrilling East of Scotland under-21 Willie Bauld Cup final at Penicuik that involved three goals, a red card and a bizarre missed penalty.

Bo'ness lifted the trophy, beating their opponents by a single goal in a 2-1 victory.

The blue-and-blacks hit the first of their two strikes in the opening five minutes. A long pass fell to the feet of Craig Snedden who was able to score from the edge of the area with a shot that flew past goalkeeper Neil McArthur.

Snedden had a chance to double his goal tally, and his team's lead, just a few minutes later. His shot from the left side of the area was headed clear by Edinburgh United captain Joseph McVey.

The early stages of the match were dominated mainly by Bo'ness. A pass across the box from Ewan Graham fell to striker James Rutherford, but his shot fizzed narrowly past the post.

United's first chance fell to target man, Alieu Faye. A long ball found Faye in the box but he could only volley the ball wide of the goal.

Ross Shields fell just inside the area from a tackle from Bo'ness centre back Graeme McCleary, but Edinburgh's penalty appeals were dismissed by the referee.

Both Rutherford and Marc Williamson missed the target with efforts from long range before Bo'ness were able to double their lead through a skilful, quick counter attack. Rutherford flicked the ball in front of his strike partner, Darren McCourtney who beat the offside trap and dribbled past McArthur, before sliding the ball into an empty net.

Moments later, Bo'ness thought they had scored again. A free-kick was launched into the box, and the ball was somehow scrambled into the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. An immediate counter attack could have seen the Capital club reduce the deficit before the break, but right midfielder Jason Watson could only shoot over the bar.

Edinburgh's chance to get back into the match fell on the hour mark. Faye was tripped in the box by McCleary, who was shown a straight red card. Faye got up to take the penalty but hit it against the post. He put the rebound into the net, but the goal was disallowed because no other player had touched the ball after the spot-kick.

Bo'ness defended resolutely in the closing stages, while McVey and Finlay Blair both squandered chances for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh United managed to pull a goal back late in the match. Mitchell's header evaded Bo'ness keeper, Greg Robertson, and nestled into the bottom left corner of the net. Alas, it was all too late for Edinburgh as the final whistle was blown.

Davie McKie, Bo'ness United manager, said: "We didn't play well but we dug in and got the result."

Bo'ness United: Greg Robertson, Jamie Ogilvie, Ewan Graham, Kieran Munro, Graeme McCleary, Jason Mackay, Craig Snedden, Marc Johnston, James Rutherford, Greg Chapman, Darren McCourtney, Graeme Milligan, Graeme Barclay, Marc Williamson, Aaron Campbell, Craig Gardner.

Edinburgh United: Neil McArthur, Neil Smeaton, Ross Shields, Ian Smith, Joseph McVey, Jason Watson, Alieu Faye, Jordan Smith, Kris Mitchell, Lee Elliot, Stuart Simpson, Jon Sergent, Sam Campbell, Finlay Blair, Darren Darling, Robbie Duncan.