All-conquering Leith power into David Murray Memorial Cup final

Leith, looking to retain the trophy – one of six pieces of silverware won last season – entered the last-four tie having already dispatched Liberton United 9-0 and Dalkeith CYP Colts 6-1.

Musselburgh were never at the races as the hosts cantered to a 5-0 victory at Leith Links courtesy, in part, to a hat-trick from Darren Lavery, pictured below.

Leith, who sit in pole position in Division 1, are one of just two sides unbeaten in the under-19 league this season, the other being the club's Colts outfit who compete in Division 2.

After defeat to Edinburgh United in the Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup, their only loss this season and just their third in the past three years, the Black and Whites look on course to replicate the success of last year, when they won all six "domestic" competitions on the Lothians scene but couldn't progress in the prestigious national tournament.

From the start against Windsor, the home side's striker Lavery seemed as fired up as if he was competing for all six trophies at once. He drew great satisfaction from everyone of his trio of opportunistic goals, the first of which arrived after just ten minutes.

Leith winger Jason Stevens may have endured a torrid time attempting to produce the perfect cross for most of the first-half, but his first meaningful effort from a corner-kick on the right was the catalyst for the game's opening goal, the high, teasing ball into the box finding the head of Lavery who glanced the ball into the far left-hand corner of the net.

Stevens had the beating of Musselburgh left-back Arran Ponton nigh on every time he chose to gallop down the flank but, when it came to supplying that invaluable cross to the Leith strikers, the job was better left to Christopher Barrie, the roving full-back employed just behind Stevens on the right.

Leith goalkeeper Matthew Banks, the No.1 for Lothian's schoolboy side, had just one true challenge presented to him throughout the game and, as is the sign of a rarely-worked but top-class custodian, he came out on top, Windsor attacker Jamie Duffner being denied in a one-on-one.

A straightforward goal shortly after half-time that was as much down to Lavery's predatory nature as Windsor's slack defending put Leith firmly in control. Lavery timed his run on to a long ball to perfection, his swift running took him into the penalty area while Musselburgh's defenders chased his ever-advancing heels, and the No.10 side-footed coolly past goalkeeper Alasdair Adams.

With 25 minutes remaining, Lavery then provided a pass to set Stephen Barrie bearing down on goal.

Just as he seemed to be drifting wide on the left-hand side of the penalty area to shape for a cross, Barrie unleashed a strike on goal that bamboozled everyone, including Adams, who watched the ball fly into the top left-hand corner of his goal.

Leith then capped their supremacy with two goals either side of the 70-minute mark. Substitute Lewis Tracey beat Ponton and Ross Cowan in the air, flicking the ball on for a chasing William Bremner. The Leith midfielder was immediately closed down by goalkeeper Adams, who dived at his feet, but Bremner managed to toe the ball into space and Ponton guided the ball into the net.

Lavery, fittingly, completed the scoring by seizing on a loose ball in the area and confidently sweeping the ball into the net to claim his hat-trick.

Leith coach Willie McFarlane, despite the one-sided nature of the game, was complimentary of his side's challengers. "We enjoy playing Musselburgh because they try to play the game properly," he said. "It was a pleasure to see both teams trying to do that.

"I felt we played really well. We've not played for a few weeks, but I thought every one of the boys was magnificent."

Leith could face either lower-league South Queensferry Swifts, or fellow Division 1 sides Salvesen or Spartans Reds in the final of the competition.

Leith Athletic: Matthew Banks, Christopher Barrie, Jamie Burstow, Neil Lowson, Liam Rafferty, Steven Lynch, Jason Stevens, William Bremner, Jack Combe, Darren Lavery, Stephen Barrie, Lewis Martin, Lewis Tracey, Blair Dickson.

Musselburgh Windsor: Alasdair Adams, Scott Dargo, Arran Ponton, Ross Cowan, James Carlyle, Michael Lynch, Scott Sime, George Gibson, Steven Harper, Laurie Jones, Michael Slater, Peter Johnstone, Scott Wright, Lewis Russell, Lewis Knight, Jamie Duffner.