Salvesen succumb in thriller as Edina lift Memorial Cup

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 11:11

EDINA HIBS put their two earlier cup final defeats behind them as they managed to overcome Salvesen 96 to lift the South East Region under-13 George Salmon Memorial Cup with a 4-2 scoreline in a thrilling contest at the Gyle Recreational Ground.

Edina started the better and were one up after only ten minutes as attacking midfielder Ross Anderson's whipped cross was bundled into the net by Jordan Brown.

Salvie were struggling to get to grips with Edina's five-pronged midfield and it wasn't long before they fell further behind,

Anderson's first-time strike giving Moffat no chance.

Salvie rallied and from nowhere could have snatched a goal back. Livewire striker Sean Devine showed a great touch to deceive defender William McPhee but his shot only found Daniel Kerr's crossbar.

Then in the second-half Salvie hit on the counter. The excellent Devine jinxed past two Edina defenders before crossing to captain Adam Murray, whose first-time strike looped over goalkeeper Kerr. The introduction of striker Martin Weir paid off handsomely for Salvesen, who started to look more competitive and lively all over the pitch.

Nevertheless, Edina could have been 3-1 up had Brown managed to keep his shot just inside the post on 50 minutes. Brown had another great chance to complete his hat-trick when a great run by Clark from midfield found him in space, but his shot was saved well by Moffat.

Salvesen may have weathered the storm but they still looked dangerous themselves and were unlucky not to level the game 15 minutes into the second half. Substitute Weir latched on to a neat flick from Brian Pollock but his shot hit the post with Kerr stranded.

As Salvesen continued to push for an equaliser they were always vulnerable to Edina's quick attacks and so it proved midway through the half. Again it was the pace of attacker Clark that caused problems. He was too quick for defender Connor Farley and, with only the keeper to beat, slid the ball home.

But Salvie managed to reply instantly when Weir slotted home from Kerr's initial parry.

With the Salvie crowd now boisterous and sensing an equaliser, an awkward challenge in the box on captain Murray led to the award of a penalty. Murray stepped up but his tame effort was saved comfortably by Kerr.

Salvie were left to rue their missed penalty when, minutes from time, they were caught once again on the counter-attack.

Again the exceptional Clark was involved as his beautifully-flighted cross was met by Connor Welsh who capped a stellar performance with a great headed goal.

Salvesen couldn't mount a comeback and Edina held on.

Scott Bonar, the manager of Edina, was clearly delighted with the performance. "We may have rode our luck with the penalty save but I think we deserved our luck after the two games previously. I am delighted for the boys."

Edina Hibs: Daniel Kerr, Jonathan Court, Cameron Gleave, William McPhee, John Pearson, Andrew Mair, Dylan Clark, Jordan Brown, Ross Anderson, Louis Luke, Callum Speedie, Connor Welsh, Cameron Waddell, Max Landles, Ross Patrizio, Jake Owens.

Salvesen 96: Adam Murray, Peter Gray, Luke McDowall, Connor Farley, Greg Lowery, Max McMorrin, Martin Weir, Scott Moffat, Ryan Millar, Sean Devine, Jamie Tomlinson, Brian Pollock, James Harvey, Conor Foy.