Colts hit six to clinch first victory

Colts pulled clear of Blues at the bottom of the table in a game the home side started strongly.

It didn't take long for the Vics to draw first blood after a spell of intense pressure and they took the lead in the tenth minute. A superb lofted ball from Jordan Williams found Kane Weir in the 18 yard box, and he laid on for bright talent Jordan Grant, who speared the ball into the net despite goalkeeper Calum Preston doing well to get a foot to it.

Rose were keen to fight back instantly and Daniel Hepplewhite led a brilliant three-pass counter attack before the ball seemed destined for goal, but the resulting shot was repelled by a superb low save from Vics keeper Ryan Bell.

Despite Rose's fighting spirit, it was Vics who went further ahead when Grant's mazy run down the left wing culminated in a cross ball that unfortunately fell into the net off the back of Rose defender Jordan Pelosi.

The game descended into a scrappy midfield battle for a spell as Rose looked to establish their presence in the match but the Vics furthered their lead with a great move from the middle. Vics' engine Kyle Mcleod embarked on a great solo run into the box peeling off a pass to Grant that he expected to be returned but was happy enough to see Grant send the ball high into the top right corner to make it 3-0 in the 24th minute.

Four minutes later, it was four for Newcraighall after Pelosi scuffed a clearance to leave Weir plenty of room to send a chip shot far above substitute goalkeeper Connor Brunton into the top right corner.

Half time couldn't arrive soon enough for Rose as they desperately needed a new approach to convert some of their intelligent play into goals. The visitors started the second half looking to play a more physical game but after a melee in midfield Vics' McLeod hit a speculative effort from halfway that hit the bar and the stellar Grant was waiting in the box to scoop home from close range to make it 5-0 in the 51st minute.

However, Rose responded three minutes later with Stuart McKay's cross being deftly lobbed over the advancing keeper by Hall. Despite the score being 5-1, Rose were far from down and continued to play with industry. But the lead was stretched to five goals again in a brilliant break started by Grant's sublime skill to bamboozle a Rose defender and a smart cross that left Kevin Millar to dink past the replacement goalkeeper and make it 6-1.

Rose now had to continue to dampen down the play in midfield in an attempt to keep the score from getting out of hand. After a period of controlling a physical dogfight, the Midlothian side broke through and a heavy touch in defence from Jamie Cook left Hayden Law with just Brunton to beat and the deficit was reduced to 6-2 as the striker slotted home.

As the match began to draw to a close it was evident that both sides were tiring after an intense battle for possession. Rose's Law took advantage of Vics' tiredness in defence by picking out Hall with a long pass in behind the defence, and Hall fired in from a tight angle to round the match off at a respectable 6-3.

After the match Vics coach Kevin Millar paid tribute for finally getting their season up and running after gaining promotion a few months ago.

He said, "I'm particularly pleased with the good spirit the match was played in and, despite struggling after promotion, we gained the result through a tremendous workrate."

Newcraighall Leith Vics Colts: Ryan Bell, Kyle Mcleod, Jordan Williams, Ewen Russel (trialist), Jamie Clark, Kevin Millar, Kane Weir, Robson Mccelland, Lawrie Payne, Mark Slater, Curtis Imrie, Jordan Grant, Lewis McLeod (trialist), Scott Thorburn, Jamie Cook.

Bonnyrigg Rose Blues: Calum Preston, Euan Casey, Jordan Pelosi, Ross Henderson, Keiran Fairlie, Daniel Hepplewhite, Greg McWilliams, Ryan Back, Mark Hall, Connor Brunton, Hayden Law, Stuart Mckay, Dre Horsburgh, Steven Paton (trialist), Daniel Judge.