Vics plug away and finally break down resolute Tranent

Edinburgh South Vics maintained an encouraging start to the new season as they came from behind to defeat fellow promoted side Tranent Amateurs 3-1 at Saughton 3G.
Edinburgh South Vics were still a goal behind with just ten minutes of the match remainingEdinburgh South Vics were still a goal behind with just ten minutes of the match remaining
Edinburgh South Vics were still a goal behind with just ten minutes of the match remaining

On a rain-soaked August afternoon Vics got the game under way as they looked to continue their strong start to the Lothian East league campaign.

Tranent appeared up for the fight in the early stages and they created the first chance as Jack Godsell struck a laced left-foot shot that deflected just wide of Graham O’Brien in the Vics goal.

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O’Brien was in the thick of the action seconds later as he tangled with Anton McKillop in the box, with the referee immediately awarding a penalty. Godsell stepped up to take it, sending the Vics goalie the wrong way to put Tranent ahead.

Vics’ attacking efforts were being cut out in the final third of the field. Tranent looked to build from the back and were the more threatening in the first 20 minutes. Gary Hadden’s run down the right ended with a driven low-ball into the area which Darren Ramsay came inches away from steering in.

The rain continued to pour down but it didn’t affect Tranent who remained focused. Having won a free-kick on the edge of the Vics box, Godsell struck a low shot under the wall towards the bottom right corner which O’Brien stretched to save.

Vics did at least end the half looking a bit more lively. Bob Bennett’s curling free-kick on the edge of the Tranent box drifted just wide of the left post. Having come close, Bennett then turned creator minutes later as he crossed for Ryan Moore, but the midfielder’s header flew just over the bar.

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Vics upped their game after the break and Paul Murray was sent through by Bennett but as he stroked the ball home, the man in the middle blew his whistle for offside.

Vics continued to work hard and they came close to getting on level terms minutes later. Both Murray and James Hunter had chances in the box in a goalmouth stramash but Michael Taylor in the Tranent goal made two fine reaction saves.

The momentum was with Vics but it looked like they weren’t going to catch a break in front of goal. As the half ticked on Vics became frustrated, as it seemed Tranent were going to hold on for the points with some resolute defending. Vics persevered and Bennett got in behind the Tranent defence once more, sticking the ball in the net but again the referee ruled it out for offside, much to the winger’s despair.

Tranent had played the offside trap well all afternoon but with ten minutes remaining they were caught out trying it again. Murray got in behind the Tranent defence and he turned one man in the box before steering the ball home from seven yards, to finally get Vics level.

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It was all one-way traffic in the closing stages. After persevering, Vics grabbed two quick goals to secure victory. A mazy run from Michael Kennedy down the left set up Murray at the back post for 2-1. Then, from the restart, Vics secured the win with another as Ryan Moore rifled the ball in from close range to make it three. Tranent had defended stubbornly all afternoon but a late lapse in concentration had allowed Vics to grab victory.

Edinburgh South Vics: Stephen Abbott, Bob Bennett, Stewart Cotton, Ian Crease, Peter Gilhooley, James Hunter, Robert Johnstone, Michael Kennedy, Charles Mcaleavy, Daniel Mcaleavy, Ryan Moore, Paul Murray, Graham O’Brien, Ryan Smithwaite, Scott Waterston, Jai Whyte, William Noble, James Young, Frankie Arthur

Tranent Amateurs: Scott Campbell, Bruce Cunningham, Jack Godsell, Gareth Gray, Gary Hadden, Dave Mcintosh, Anton McKillop, Kevin McKillop, Michael Porteous, Darren Ramsay, Cameron Reynolds, David Ross, Gary Wilson, Michael Taylor, Ryan Hall, Scott Newlands