YMCA have failed to win only twice this season on the road to what they hope will be a league and cup double.

But they were made to work extremely hard to secure the RCD Under 15 Cup with a 1-0 success as Hartshead produced an outstanding display to keep the large crowd thoroughly entertained form start to finish.

On a perfect day for a final, YMCA set off looking the stronger and the Hartshead defence of Joe Bradley, Ryan Hird, Luke McCarron and Liam Thompson had to be at their best to stop YMCA from running away with the game.

Eddie Hemingway looked certain to open the scoring for YMCA when he rounded the keeper, but quick-thinking Ronnie Roberts was on the line to clear.

Then Hemingway went close again a few minutes later but, after seeing his first shot saved, his second attempt from the rebound flew high and wide.

Having survived the early scares, Hartshead began to get a foothold in the game and, from then on, YMCA knew they were going to have to work hard to overcome their opponents.

Hartshead came close to taking the lead when a Rowan Binns pass found the ever-dangerous Marley James, but the striker’s shot flew just wide and the first half closed with the score locked at 0-0.

A Roberts cross found Jake Robshaw as YMCA tried hard to break the deadlock in the opening minutes of the second half, but another half chance was missed when his snatched shot flew over the bar.

With the game now moving rapidly from end to end, both sides were guilty of failing to make the most of the opportunities but, when Harry Dawson and Jem Brogan-Ellis combined on the left to send a cross to the far post, Jay Brogan-Ellis was on hand to launch an unstoppable angled volley over keeper George Sykes and into the top corner.

Brandon Hemingway almost levelled for Hartshead but his header was just too high and, minutes later, Kaine Hall’s pass set up another chance for James but keeper Sykes was able to turn the shot around a post.

Back at the other end, Hemingway almost made the game safe for YMCA but his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Kaine Hall.

Hartshead’s pressure looked certain to produce an end result when James sent another shot toward the top corner, but keeper Jamie Burnand produced the save of the game to maintain YMCA’s single-goal advantage.

YMCA had the chance to double their advantage in the last minute of the game when a clumsy challenge resulted in referee Andy Noble pointing to the penalty spot but, although keeper George Sykes produced an outstanding save, it was all to no avail as the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the game.

Hartshead put in a tremendous effort to try to upset the form book and they should take heart from the fact they contributed to a highly-exciting and entertaining final.