Boys Club too good for the Salvesen 94

Played on the beautifully-prepared pitch at Lothian & Borders Police HQ, the difference between the two sides was fairly reflected in the scoreline.

Salvesen 94 did create good chances to score goals but they could not get their shots on target, while their well-organised club colleagues were much sharper - and deadlier - when it came to sticking the ball in the back of the net.

The smart-moving Salvesen side made the better start to the game and they went 1-0 up from a good passing move up the left, Conner McDonald supplying the pass for Christopher Cairns to score the opener. Cairns scored again despite 94 keeper Jackson Bell making a great effort to save the ball going into the net.

After going 2-0 down, Salvesen 94 finally got their own passing game going and they made a great effort to get back into the game but it was still 2-0 for Salvesen at the end of a cracking first half, intelligently controlled by match referee Tam Carter.

On the restart, the 94 side took the game to the their opponents and Sam McNab, who was prominent in defence for the 94 side in the first-half, featured again in attacking moves. It was a brave effort by the 94 coaches to push players forward in search of a goal and it almost brought rewards.

Craig Rennie had a couple of good chances to reduce the deficit, but was off target with one effort while impressive goalkeeper Ruaridh Mitchell showed safe hands to save another shot.

The best chance for Salvesen 94 came when Ross Davidson cut in from the left but the No.5 fired wide of Mitchell's goal.

That was the pattern to much of 94's attacking moves in the second-half, while their club-mates in the Salvesen team looked much more dangerous when they homed in on the 94 keeper at the other end of the pitch.

And in a good finish Salvesen again showed the 94 team the way to goal when Glen Parker made the final scoreline 3-0, firing home a rebound off the goalkeeper.

Speaking on behalf of the winners, team official Craig Yardley said: "We were pretty comfortable and deserved to win by at least the 3-0 scoreline.

"Salvesen 94s are a very decent team and were very physical but our midfield managed to match them and even better them despite their superior size and numbers.

"Our defence was very comfortable all night so I am very happy and would settle for a 3-0 result every week."

In his assessment of the game, Salvesen 94 team official, Crawford Matthews, added: "Disappointing game for us after the high of the weekend but we are still delighted with the progress our lads are making and that is what it is about - development rather than win at all costs."

Salvesen 94: Jackson Bell, John MacAndrew, Arran Foster, Daniel Mayhew, Ross Davidson, Sam MacNab, Craig Rennie, Tom Holligan, Liam Scott, Kieran Glen, Stuart Edwards, Murray Pollock, Finlay Matthews, Jamie Murray, Ruaridh Davidson.

Salvesen Boys' Club: Ruaridh Mitchell, Chris Deignon, Conner McDonald, Douglas McKenzie, Callum McManus, William McArthur, Scott Ferguson, Dylan Yardley, Glen Parker, Lewis Crosbie, Grant Stuart, Lewis Campbell, Ruaridh Mitchell, Luke Baker, Rehan Raider, Christopher Cairns.

Referee: Tom Carter.

SALVESEN Boys' Club are currently struggling to find suitable places to play their fixtures in the South East Scotland Region Youth leagues after losing the use of the pitches at Forrester High School while building work goes on.

Officials at Edinburgh Leisure have, incredibly, offered teams from this west Edinburgh-based club Danderhall and Millerhill as places to play their "home" games. Craig Yardley, has meanwhile, made an application to Edinburgh Leisure for Salvesen Boys' Club to play their home games at Meggetland. He said: "I await Edinburgh Leisure's answer with bated breath. When I have their answer I will discuss the next step with the other coaches and the parents. I believe the Salvesen teams are scattered far and wide across Edinburgh due to the development of Forrester High School.

"I think Salvesen under-15s are playing out of Kirkliston, while the under-16s are at Millerhill with us. Edinburgh Leisure may give us the use of Meggetland for the season - but I doubt it."