City dig deep to earn points against struggling Miners

An inspired Edinburgh City 95 claimed a crucial 3-0 victory over Loanhead MY in a South East Region Youth FA under-16 Division 1 bottom-of-the-table clash which contained some hard challenges and a red card at Memorial Park.

But the visitors to Loanhead made the most of the murky conditions with goals from Peter Garvel, Sam Robertson and Ewan Anderson.

The commitment of both teams was evident right from the kick-off and chances were sparse as both sides refused to shirk out of any 50/50 challenges.

The first real chance came when Dean Whitson powered a teasing cross into the heart of the City box from just inside the opposition half but passed over the head of everyone and out for a goal-kick.

City replied and almost grabbed the lead as Peter Garvel played in a cross to Sam Robertson who was unlucky to fire just wide from just inside the box.

The visitors were beginning to dictate the play and again had the chance to take the lead when the impressive Sam Robertson played in a ball to Josh McGonigal whose deft first touch and shot was unlucky to float just over the bar.

The away side's endeavour did pay off in the 30th minute as Anderson played an aerial through ball to Garvel whose first-time lob displayed great improvisation to deceive Loanhead stopper Callum Wood and nestle in the far corner of the net for the first goal of the afternoon.

After the break, Loanhead's goalkeeper Wood was still clearly suffering from an injury picked up in the first half, but the youngster bravely decided to soldier on and continue for the remaining 45 minutes.

However, it was Connor Lynn, the City No.?1, who was troubled next as he watched a sweet free-kick from Dean Whitson pass agonisingly wide of the post. Loanhead were starting to push out in search of an equaliser, clearly spurred on by coach Tommy Walker's team talk during the break.

The action then kicked into top gear as Whitson once again hammered a shot on goal, this time smacking the bar from 35 yards out as the game appeared to be swinging in Loanhead's favour.

However, against the run of play, City set up a counter- attack which resulted in Danny Thomson being brought down as he ran through on goal - and the Miners' No.?4, a trialist for the home side, was sent off.

City took little time in capitalising on the increase in space and scored a second as Sam Robertson collected the ball on the edge of the box and placed a fine shot past the despairing arms of Woods.

With the visitors' confidence growing with their two-goal lead, they started to dictate the play and were almost three up when Danny Thomson's deflected strike - which could have went anywhere - ended up swinging just past the post.

City's quick breaks were looking increasingly ominous as the ten men of Loanhead pushed forward to get back into the game and Ewan Anderson took advantage as he latched on to a cross from substitute Sean Greens to slide the ball neatly into the net from ten yards out and seal the points.

A jubilant City coach Kevin Devine felt his side were worthy winners and hoped his side could use this win as a springboard saying: "I thought we dictated how the game went and played some good football in spells and fully deserved our win. At the end of the day, though, it was all about the three points.

"Hopefully, we can keep it up, it all depends how the boys apply themselves between now and the end of the season."

Loanhead's Tommy Walker felt circumstances were just not in favour of his side on the day and hoped his charges would bounce back for their next game.

"I think it's been like this in previous weeks, there's a lot of commitment from the boys - you can't fault them for that - but there are things that have conspired against us.

"I think the red card could have been a key factor, certainly in the second half, as there was only one goal in it at half -time. Hopefully, our next chance is another league game - and another chance to get back up the table."

Loanhead Miners' Youth: Callum Wood, David Reid, Steven McKenzie, Trialist, Craig More, Matthew Taylor, Connor Clark, Dean Whitson, Dillon McSorley, Zack Walker, Josh Morrison, Darren Burstow, Peter Scott Marshall.

Edinburgh City 95: Connor Lunn, Scott Thomson, Lawrie Peat, Thomas Porteous, Andy Greenhill, Josh McGonigal, Liam Devine, Cammy Haddon, Peter Garvel, Sam Robertson, Ben Robertson, Danny Thomson, Sean Greens, Lee Watt, Jack Christie, Ross Hoggan, Ewan Anderson.