LEAFA round-up: Hainey shines for Lauriston Thistle, Gorgie Hearts hit 9 and wins for Lothian Vale and Edinburgh Utd Vale

New Lauriston Thistle striker James Hainey got off to the best-possible start on his debut for the club as he scored and set up two goals to secure a 4-1 victory away to Cavalry Park in the second round of the RJM Sports East of Scotland Cup.

Dayne Robertson missed an early penalty for the visitors in horrendous conditions when he sent his attempt over the crossbar, and just moments later Cavalry Park took the lead through James Burt’s free-kick.

Former Lothian Thistle frontman Hainey levelled for Lauriston when he found the net via the post, before right back Brad Raiker put the Lothian East men ahead for the first time in the tie following a surging run.

Hainey was enjoying his first game for Lauriston and played in Ryan Robertson for their third of the day, with Robertson netting from close range two minutes before half-time.

Conditions were beginning to cause problems for both sides with players slipping and sliding on the wet surface. Robertson managed to put breathing space between the two teams with his second, a header from Hainey’s cross.

Sean Lothian had the chance to put Lauriston further ahead from the penalty spot but slipped when striking the ball, however it mattered little as Lauriston were well on their way to the last-16 by then.

Cloud nine for Gorgie Hearts

Gorgie Hearts were without British and Commonweath bantamweight boxing champion Lee McGregor but still eased to a 9-0 demolition of Riccarton Young Boys to regain top spot in Sunday Division 1.

Gorgie’s strike pairing of Lewis Coult and Kenny Fisher were in devastating form as they each netted hat-tricks for the home side, with seven of the nine goals coming in the second half. Kern Hutchison, Marc Robertson and Claye Thomson were also all on the scoresheet.

Eight wins out of eight for Lothian Vale

Lothian Vale made it eight wins out of eight at the top of Saturday’s Edinburgh East league with a narrow 2-1 victory away to Musselburgh Windsor, who took the lead within ten minutes through Fraser Hill.

Liam Forbes headed in Dan McLean’s cross for the equaliser on the half hour mark, and the striker got his second of the game and his 27th goal of the season to secure all three points after McLean was fouled in the box.

Edinburgh United Vale win ten-goal thriller

Edinburgh United Vale came out on the right side of a ten goal thriller, winning 7-3 at home to Mill AFC in the Lothian West league, Ethan Rathore netting a hat-trick. Liam Henderson netted a double and Luke Leiper and Ryan Ritchie were also on target.