Scottish Youth Cup Final
Heart of Midlothian 2-5 Motherwell
Wednesday 27th April 2016, 7.30pm kick-off
Hampden Park, Glasgow

(McGhee 43’, Zanatta 65’; Mackin 21’, Cadden 38’, Ferguson 61’, Leitch 76’, Falconer 89’)

Motherwell secured their first ever Scottish FA Youth Cup trophy with a thrilling 5-2 win over Heart of Midlothian.

The Steelmen celebrated a famous victory at Hamden Park after an entertaining end-to-end match.



Buoyed by a vocal Lanarkshire support Stephen Craigan’s side had the best of the early chances. Their hard work paid off in the 21st minute when a Dominic Thomas free-kick was spilled by Kelby Mason and turned in by Dylan Mackin.

As the half progressed Hearts looked to hit back when a Liam Smith cross was deflected across the face of goal but Russell McLean could not convert. Motherwell’s Chris Cadden found space to try from distance but his strike was caught by Mason. Allan Campbell then waltzed past the Hearts defence to put Chris Cadden through on goal, his effort deflected past Mason to double the lead. Hearts grabbed a lifeline when Jordan McGhee curled an effortless free-kick into the bottom right corner just before half time.

Motherwell started the second half in similar fashion to the first, dominating possession and coming at Hearts with waves of attack. Neat passing outside the Hearts box left David Turnbull through on goal, but Mason came out to collect. Motherwell found a route to their goal through the dancing feet of Dominic Thomas who won a corner. Thomas whipped a great ball into the front post, which was deflected across the goal line for the Steelmen’s David Ferguson to strike it high into the roof of the net from the back post.

During an end-to-end half, both sides looked capable of adding to the scoreline and it was Hearts who were to score next. Winger Dario Zanatta dispossessed Motherwell’s Ben Hall, who then showed great composure to round Brett Long and slot the ball low into the bottom left corner. Man of the Match, Dominic Thomas, continued to impress down the right hand side. A neat run left him space to cut back to Ross MacLean, but Mason denied with a great save.

Substitute Robbie Leitch had an instant impact and ensured that he will enjoy better cup memories than his Dad, Scott, who was on the losing side at the 1987 Scottish Youth Cup Final. Excellent footwork and a cool finish saw him put Motherwell’s tally on the night up to four.

The Steelmen did not stop there. Leitch again showed his talent as he put in Dylan Falconer who produced a beautiful finish over Mason to add gloss to an already impressive result.

Heart of Midlothian | Mason, Smith, Henderson, Baur, McGhee, Beith, Morrison, Buchanan, McLean, Zanatta, Moore

Subs | Easton, McKirdy, Jones, Roy, McDonald

Motherwell | Long, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Hall, Campbell, MacLean, Turnbull, Mackin, Thomas, Cadden

Subs | Morrison, Falconer, Hastie, Leitch, Livingstone