Eskmill land Salmon Cup

Cheered on by a lively and colourful support, Kyle Scott and Grant Stewart scored in either half to win it for the Blues, who controlled the game for the most part and whose manager, Brian Stewart, was delighted.

Stewart said: "We beat Craigroyston in our league games this season, but they've always been tough opponents.

"We asked the boys to work hard, and I'm really chuffed that they did that. I hope the players and parents have enjoyed themselves this season."

All the evidence of the cup final occasion pointed to the fact that those on the field and their respective families on the sidelines were indeed enjoying themselves.

Just two minutes into the game, their enthusiasm was fuelled by the game's opening goal, as Stephen Scott's floated free-kick from the left was flicked on by the head of his brother Kyle, and the ball looped over Craigroyston goalkeeper Callum McGrath before settling in the right-hand corner.

It wasn't until just before half-time that the next chance arrived, again at the same end.

Lawrence Naismith's cross deep into the box from the right found Stewart, whose clever reversal of the direction of the ball towards the right-hand corner almost caught out Craigroyston again, but the ball spun narrowly wide.

Shortly after half-time, the game was as good as won, as Eskmill translated their superiority into an extension of their lead. The Midlothian side's flying winger Stephen Scott beat his man on the right flank and sent over a tantalising cross from the byline, chipping the ball into the centre of a crowded six- yard box.

McGrath couldn't quite grasp the ball and it fell to Stewart, who instinctively stuck out a boot to send it into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Craigroyston went close with a rare opportunity soon afterwards, as Arron Heinemeier headed a corner from the right too near Eskmill goalkeeper Jack McInnes.

But McInnes otherwise enjoyed a quiet afternoon as his side drove forward, often through their roving left full-back Nick Brown. It was after a move started by Brown that Eskmill almost added further to their advantage but Fraser Cumming's strike from 20 yards had the sting taken off it by a deflection and Craigroyston keeper McGrath watched the ball well before smothering it at the feet of Kyle Scott.

Kyle Scott did manage to worry McGrath two minutes later, though, striking a volley that smashed off the crossbar, but Eskmill were otherwise content to camp in Craigroyston's half for the remainder of the match without threatening too often. In contrast to the smiles of the Eskmill players and management team of Stewart, Gareth Don and Stuart Baxter, Craigroyston boss Colin Dudgeon felt his side would be unhappy with their performance, but drew comfort from the experience they will have gathered.

He said: "I thought we let ourselves down a wee bit today and the boys will be disappointed that they didn't perform to their usual standard.

"But they now know what it takes to go on and win competitions.

"The support for both sides today was fantastic. Eskmill are a very good side and deserved their win, but hopefully we can come back next year and go one better. It's not been a bad season, and the experience has given us a good measure of the standards expected and we know what we have to do to progress."

Craigroyston: Callum McGrath, Craig Kinnear, Connor Brodie, David Blackie, Darrell Oag, Joe Dudgeon, Jamie Blackie, Arron Heinemeier, Brandon Brammer, David McMillan, Scott Robertson, Jonathan Brammer, Michael McMillan, Beinn Rutherford, Connor Dickson.

Eskmill: Jack McInnes, Fraser Cumming, Nick Brown, Matthew Watson, David Hunter, Stephen Scott, Stephen Baxter, Lawrence Naismith, Grant Stewart, Kyle Scott, Euan Denholm, Mark Cotter, Glen Dickson, Cameron McEwan, Scott Charleson, Michael Costello.