Colts edge five goal cup thriller

It was always going to be a tightly-contested affair, with the sides having played each other twice in the league and come away with a victory each. Both teams managed to settle into a rhythm very quickly, however, and it was Colts who almost took an early lead.

Liam Mackle showed good pace to get through on goal and only just pushed his shot wide of the right post. With such a large pitch, counter-attacking play was to be expected and Edinburgh City didn't disappoint shortly afterwards. Danny Caira held the ball up well and found fellow striker Dale Maitland, who narrowly missed the target under pressure. Maitland had another chance minutes later after a Charlie Donnelly cross from the right wing, but he couldn't quite get enough power behind his header.

And with 12 minutes gone, it was North Berwick Colts who scored. Mackle received a lovely pass on the run and securely dispatched the shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

The East Lothian side's lead was increased on 15 minutes by Andrew Grant-Suttie from a free-kick. Daniel Darrie had brought down roughly 30 yards out and Grant-Suttie provided the outstanding finish, which he hit with swerve and power. There was nothing Edinburgh City Whites keeper Hamish Innes could have done to prevent the shot from going in. Both teams carried on in the manner they began, with plenty chances being created. Caira in particular for Edinburgh City looked dangerous cutting in from the right- hand side. However, neither team could effect the scoreline before half-time and that was much to the credit of both goalkeepers, who were dealing with everything effectively.

Whites came out for the second half searching for a goal to pull themselves back into the game and soon found it in spectacular style. Maitland struck it cleanly from distance and found the net as it flew perfectly over the keeper's head.

After conceding, North Berwick Colts raised their own game in response and Alex McKay came close on two occasions from outside the box

But on 55 minutes, it was Edinburgh City who struck again from a free-kick in a similar position to Colts' finish in the first half. Caira won the free-kick and it was Ross Edmonds who found the net with a finish that rivalled the Colts' second goal. Colts goalkeeper Finn Clark will probably feel hard done by as he could have done nothing to stop either goal flying into his net.

The momentum was seemingly swinging in Edinburgh City's favour, yet only minutes later it was North Berwick who snatched what proved to be the winner. Grant-Suttie took a free-kick for North Berwick and crossed it low into the opposition penalty box. Gregor Tait then managed to get a touch and eventually bundle the ball into the net. City keeper Innes was unfortunate as he stopped Tait's initial shot, but he could only push it into Tait's path for him to finish off at the second time of asking.

After North Berwick Colts restored their lead, Edinburgh City just couldn't find that clear-cut opportunity to take the game to extra time and it was Colts who really controlled the game and looked like deserved winners in the end. The cup win caps a good season for Colts and head coach Keith Hogg. He said: "It's a nice way to nearly finish the season."

Edinburgh City Whites: Hamish Innes, Bobby Findlay, Craig Paterson, Connor Brownlie, Alex Falconer, Ross Edmonds, Callum Miller, Cameron Whyte, Danny Caira, Charlie Donnelly, Dale Maitland, Cameron Stark, Fraser Dumayne, Jamie Appleton, Alex Murphy, Robert McGrath.

North Berwick Colts: Finn Davies Clark, Liam Gibb, Gregor Tait, Andrew Grant-Suttie, Daniel Darrie, Matthew Hogg, Liam Mackle, Alex McKay, Brodie Stewart, Guy Stirling, Cameron Gordon, John Gardner, Finlay Goodlad, Macheal Dean, Calum Paul, Michael Hagan.