Clinical Vics jink their way into Centenary Cup last four

The action between Tollcross Thistle and Edinburgh South Vics was so fast-paced that their Centenary Cup quarter-final evoked the experience of watching classic old match footage from a scratched film reel.

Vics punctuated the frenetic rhythm at Meggetland with some beautifully crafted goals in a 3-0 win of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur FA event, with the black and whites' using their pass-and-move style to jink around an off-colour Tollcross.

The attacking players, keen and often impatient to break forward, were so fleet-footed across the pristine artificial surface that the ball struggled, in a sense, to keep up; the constant offside rulings by match official Campbell Duncan at least providing regular breaks amid the breathlessness.

Although Tollcross contributed greatly to a game their manager Alan McKay reckoned was on a par with the quality in the East of Scotland League, Vics punished their hosts with three clinical finishes.

The first of those came courtesy of a former East seniors player, Paul Scales, who was making his full Vics debut after transferring from Lothian Thistle. Scales scrambled on the edge of the box with a Tollcross defender and goalkeeper John Nisbet after 12 minutes, with the ball breaking to the Vics man 20 yards out. As Nisbet found himself out of position, Scales sidefooted a high shot into the net.

Vics boss Johnny Love identified his on-form five-man midfield as a significant factor towards victory. The right-sided component of the quintet, winger Gary Burns, made a particular impact with his seering pace, first displayed in its full glory after half an hour as he broke down the right. Team mate Ian Ballantyne, lurking around the penalty spot, stretched to meet the subsequent cross by Burns but slid his shot onto the left-hand post.

Both teams were committed to a flowing passing game, an approach that almost paid off for Tollcross shortly before half-time. In their best chance of the opening 45 minutes, Callum Roberts pushed a measured pass inside from the left touchline to the feet of Stewart O'Neill on the edge of the penalty box. O'Neill, with his back to goal, laid off the ball for Lee Heinemeir, but the striker's shot went wide.

Vics' flying wideman Burns was out of sight as the game's standout performer, and with his help Vics plundered another two goals in similar fashion in the second half. On 61 minutes, Scales threaded the ball from halfway into space on the right, with Burns latching onto the ball with a charge up the flank. After bursting into the box unhindered by any defender, he shot towards the near corner, but Nisbet's left boot blocked the effort.The ball rebounded at speed towards Scott Sutherland, whose quick reactions from six yards out allowed him to smash a strike into the net.

Twelve minutes before the end, Vics midfielder Mark Wilson seized on a lapse in concentration by Tollcross defender Alan Budge and Ballantyne fed Burns from halfway before the winger hit the byline and sent a low, hard cross to Peter Conaghan, who bulleted his shot into the top right-hand corner.

"It's one of the best games we've played this season," said Vics coach Love. "We had a bit of a cutting edge,."

Tollcross manager Alan McKay was dignified in defeat, admitting that Vics were simply better on the night.

Tollcross Thistle: John Nisbet, Gary Fox, Greg Hogarth, Alan Hogarth, Alan Budge, John Lawson, Callum Roberts, Stewart O'Neill, Christopher Bain, Lee Heinemeir, Adam Robertson, Steven Moncur, Davie Bird, Sean Meechan, Terry Phibin, Robbie Simpson.

Edinburgh South Vics: Kris Lennie, Sean Loughlin, Scott Sutherland, Lee Watson, Nicky Martin, Peter Gilhooly, Ian Ballantyne, Paul Scales, Michael Kennedy, Gary Burns, Jon Blues, Mark Wilson, Peter Conaghan, Ryan Moore, Ryan Sutherland.