Fernieside continue impressive run with a cup giantkilling act

The Premier Division 2 club have taken this season by storm, sitting top of the league with five wins and playing some attractive football in the process. Dalkeith, on the other hand, haven’t shown the same form that led them to Blaikie Cup success last year.

Fernieside’s Brian Anderson was delighted with the performance from his players in what has been a great start to the new season.

He said: “We’ve started really well this year and play a lot of good football. It’s always good to test yourself and I know Dalkeith are a good side, but I think we more than matched them.”

With the game failing to produce goals in the first half, all the action unfolded in the second 45. Fernieside grabbed the lead on the hour mark, Ryan Morrison firing a crisp volley in from inside the box after good work from Craig Lyle. The home side did equalise courtesy of Danny Taylor’s penalty after Mark Brown had been upended, but Morrison was once again involved as he set up Davie Garrie to net the  winner for Fernieside with just five minutes remaining.

Dalkeith’s John Taylor was disappointed to bow out of the competition at this early stage but was impressed with his team’s opponents. “We controlled most of the game but Fernieside are very good defensively and have two good strikers up top,” he said.

Rose almost clipped

Edinburgh Rose were pushed all the way by Penicuik United in the Challenge Cup first round, eventually emerging 3-2 winners but only after United had forced extra-time at Duddingston Park.

Edinburgh Rose are proving their worth in Premier Division 1 while, visitors Penicuik are producing a similar feat in the division below their opponents.

Rose took the lead after just five minutes, Scott Wallace  producing a superb lob from fully 30 yards to stun the  visitors.

However, Penicuik equalised when Jai Whyte produced an equally impressive strike, finding the top corner with a  superbly taken free-kick from 25 yards.

Raymond Walker then missed a penalty for the home side in the second half, goalkeeper Ally McGuinness producing a good stop to keep the ball out.

With 90 minutes failing to separate the teams, the match went into extra-time where Penicuik edged in front, Paul Whyte finishing off a fine move from close range.

Not to be outdone, Edinburgh Rose levelled things all up when Walker atoned for his earlier penalty miss with a well guided header.

Then, with just five minutes remaining of the 120, Walker nipped in for the winner as he finished from a tight angle to send Rose through.

Edinburgh Rose’s Les Woolard said: “We didn’t play that well and the pitch wasn’t in the best condition. It was good to get the win though as they (Penicuik) were really up for it. But we plugged away and got there in the end.”

Bruntsfield go through

Bruntsfield Park are through to the third round of the Presidents Cup after a hard fought 4-2 victory over  Roseburn Thistle at the Gyle.

Bruntsfield took the lead after 15 minutes when Mike Glennon tapped in from close range  before the same player found the net again from a similar  distance shortly after.

Paul Henderson then made it three before the break with a deflected drive from the edge of the area to put the visitors firmly in control.

However, Roseburn reduced the deficit when Scott Williamson scored with a fine drive from a tight angle to give the hosts some hope of a comeback.

Bruntsfield were awarded a penalty in the second half when Liam Lapping was upended  in the area and Lapping himself took the spot kick to make it 4-1.

Roseburn did add a second when Michael Dunlop’s effort ricocheted off a Bruntsfield defender and sneaked in at the near post.

The home side’s misery was compounded further when they were reduced to nine men with five minutes remaining but Bruntsfield proved to be worthy winners.