Bright result on grey day

The gap should have been greater, but first-half goals from Darren McLaren, Haydn Crane and Christopher McCartney proved to be the difference at a foggy Wardie Playing Fields to give the victors a seven-point lead over second-placed Tynecastle with seven games remaining.

McLaren scored the first within five minutes after he latched on to a defence-splitting pass from the midfield and slotted home from 15 yards. Hutchie doubled their advantage on the 20 minute mark when McCartney's cross was nodded in from the near post by the rising Haydn Crane. McCartney went from supplier to scorer five minutes before the break when his stunning 30-yard free kick from the far right sailed perfectly into the top left corner. After their perfect opening 20 minutes, Hutchie continued to dominate possession. On the half hour mark McCartney's perfect corner was headed inches wide by Allan Hay.

Following Hutchie's third goal, Colts lost possession as play was resumed and Lee Brown burst forward, but his shot from the edge of the area was deflected by a chasing Colts defence. The visitors' only real chance of the first half came in the closing moments when Darren Bonaria's long throw was nodded on by Mark McConnell and fell to the feet of Gary Dunn, who would have had a clear shot had the keeper not taken advantage of his hesitation to gather the loose ball.

The fog may have risen in the second half but Colts' hopes of taking anything from the game remained slight.

In the move of the match, Hutchie's Dean Crane picked up the ball around the centre circle and passed a short through ball to Brown, who used his pace to lose the defender and burst forward and lay the ball off perfectly to McLaren, whose thundering shot rattled the crossbar. The pressure continued as, midway through the half, Lewis Grant's long and impressive charge down the centre wasn't matched by his finish, as his shot deflected off a defender.

In the rare moments that Colts had possession, they were sometimes dangerous in their counter-attacking. Easily their biggest chance came in the closing ten minutes when McConnell hit an opportune long ball into the box and Arran Foster's glancing header guided the ball inches over the bar. In the final minutes, Hutchie missed a chance to hit a fourth when Mark Lawrie weaved in and out of the Colts defence and laid off Brown, who watched his placed shot pass just high and wide.

Hutchie coach, Stephen Fraser, reflected on his side's testing time since their win in the Victor Paris Bathrooms Cup final early this month. "We've had two very tough games in quick succession," he said. "It was a very close 2-1 win over Hillfield (Swifts] just three days after the final and we've given a great performance. These victories have been brilliant for the boys' confidence."

Fraser would not be drawn on his team's chances of securing the league title, only stressing the importance of their remaining fixtures. "We've got to play Tynecastle and Seton and they'll be very difficult games," he said. "It's important we take each game as it comes, work hard and keep our focus."

Hutchison Vale will play Hillfield Swifts in the Michael Moran League Cup final at the Saughton Enclosure at 6.45pm on Wednesday, May 4.

Hutchison Vale: Kerr McLernon, Ryan Scott, Bradley Crane, Darryl McLaren, Allan Hay, Liam Fellenger, Mark Lawrie, Dean Crane, Christopher McCartney, Christopher Deignon, Haydn Crane, Lee Brown, Jon McInally, Lewis Grant.

Edinburgh City Colts: Jordan Guilar, Lee Banks, John Sanderson, John Dickson, Darren Bonaria, Sam Ramsay, Asad Hafeez, Shaun Turnbull, Sean McAdam, Adam Scott, Gary Dunn, Arran Foster, Connor Pont, Mark McConnell, Peter Wright, Mark Hanlon, Corey Gilmour, Cameron McCullough.