South Gyle score three but it’s not enough in East of Scotland Cup

Craig Finnie gave South Gyle the lead after just two minutes with a simple finish from six yards after Dean Cunningham’s long throw was not dealt with by the Steins defence.

The scores were levelled after 22 minutes. Alan Benton’s shot was parried and Barry Thompson finished from short range.

Steins took the lead 11 minutes later. Edward Johnstone’s header looped into the left of the goal after a deep cross from the right. Johnstone got in on the act again four minutes later to make it 3-1. He chipped the ball into the net after the South Gyle defence failed to clear an easy ball.

South Gyle scored early in the second half when Chris Scott’s 25-yard shot beat the keeper and nestled into the centre of the goal. Steins were quick to get back on the front foot however, and Benton’s cross from the right byline fooled goalkeeper Gordon McCreadie and found the top left corner.

The game was put beyond doubt in the 75th minute when Gordon Passmore struck the ball low into the goal from the edge of the penalty area.

The scoring was not over though, with goalkeeper McCreadie attacking at a corner, Steins were able to counter quickly. Johnstone played the ball to Christopher McGill who dribbled into the penalty area and finished into an open goal.

South Gyle pulled one back deep into stoppage time. Cunningham volleyed the ball into the bottom of the net after a mix-up in the Steins defence.

Steins Thistle manager Greig Mitchell was pleased to return to Falkirk with the win. He said: “We started terribly,  conceding in the first two minutes, but I actually think that was a blessing in disguise. After that, we looked like a different team. We let them back into the match in the second half but took control again and it ended quite comfortably.”

Loanhead dig for victory

Loanhead MW went through to the fourth round of the East of Scotland Cup after a thrilling encounter at Musselburgh Amateurs finished 5-4.

Musselburgh Ams took the lead in the fifth minute before Craig Gallacher equalised for Loanhead when his superb shot beat the goalkeeper from 30 yards. Steven Grant then gave Loanhead the lead.

John Thomson took the score to 3-1 before half time, scoring a tap-in after Grant was put through one-on-one but his shot deflected off the post.

Loanhead looked to have secured victory shortly after the start of the second half as Thomson added his second goal of the match, but Musselburgh once again pulled a goal back.

Gallacher added his name to the scoresheet again to give Loanhead a three-goal cushion, but Musselburgh did not believe the match was over. They were in the ascendancy and took the scoreline to 5-4 but Loanhead were able to hold on for the victory.

Loanhead manager David Laughlin was pleased to progress. He said: “We had five players missing and started quite slowly, but, after Musselburgh took the lead, we worked hard and got back into the match. We wanted the result more and were able to pull through. It was a good game of football.”

Pavilion into sixth round

Pavilion beat Royal Penicuik 5-2 in the Scottish Sunday Amateur Trophy fourth round. The rearranged match was finally completed on the Meggetland 3G as Graeme Cummings led Pavilion to victory with his  influential display.

Cummings opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he headed the ball into the net after Paul Colford’s cross.

Kevin Graham was gifted an equaliser soon after. He intercepted a stray pass back and stroked the ball into the net.

Anthony Thornton reinstated Pavilion’s lead before half-time when he powered the ball into the goal after a Cummings header was saved.

Pavilion continued to attack in the second half and grabbed a third. Michael Stevenson hit the target after Ian Bowden’s cross.

Stevenson turned creator for Pavilion’s fourth goal. His shot was deflected to Cummings who grabbed his second of the match.

Royal Penicuik won a penalty for handball, and Ryan Sclater dispatched the ball confidently past the Pavilion goalkeeper.

With 15 minutes remaining, Simon Walton put the game beyond doubt, heading in from Stevenson’s cross.

Pavilion travel to Stranraer to play Chaser’s Bar in the sixth round.