Local heroes: Rankin provides helping hand in cup success

Leith ATHLETIC secured a league and cup double when they won the East of Scotland Under-21 John Murphy Trophy after beating Tranent Juniors 1-0 at Penicuik Juniors Ground.

A goal in the 23rd minute by Michael Lynch proved to be enough for Leith as Tranent wasted a number of opportunities in front of goal in the second-half.

It was a double celebration for Leith Athletic, as they were presented with both the Division Two title and the John Murphy Trophy at the final whistle.

Tranent, who finished their Division 1 season in second place and lost in the finals of the South East Region Cup and William Johnston Cup, have one last chance to win silverware in the Stuart Brown Memorial Trophy final.

It was the East Lothian side who had the first chance of the match in the eighth minute. Ruairidh Fleming dribbled into the penalty area and his shot from 16 yards was tipped wide by goalkeeper Kyle Rankin.

It was Leith who took the lead on 20 minutes. Ben McKenzie cut the ball back to Lynch who shot powerfully into the goal from eight yards.

Tranent then won a penalty in the 43rd minute. After a long ball over the top of the Leith defence, Cameron Reynolds was tripped by Steven Handley. Moncrieff struck his penalty straight down the centre of the goal but it was easily parried by Rankin and from the rebound, with the goal at his mercy, Reynolds headed the ball over the bar.

Substitute Keith Murray nearly doubled the lead in spectacular fashion in the 69th minute, but his shot from distance hammered against the crossbar.

Tranent had a great chance to equalise with ten minutes remaining, but Moncrieff’s shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by Rankin.

Tranent continued to push for an equaliser but Rankin held firm in the Leith goal.

Tranent manager Blair Glynn felt the team had enough chances to win the match. He said: “It did not go too badly in the first half. Leith closed us down really well and we lost concentration to lose the goal. We totally dominated the second half and had chance after chance. We just never took any.”

Leith Athletic: Kyle Rankin, Darren Keenan, Steven Handley, Adam Hunter, Bob Boyd, Lachlan Thom, Ben McKenzie, George Gibson, Darren Davidson, Michael Lynch, Matthew Watson, Daryn Cain, Blair Simpson, Keith Murray, Shaun Spence

Tranent Juniors: Ross McMullen, Steven Glynn, Kenny Hall, Robbie Mason, Craig Wojtowycz, Alexander Christie, Blair Murray, Andrew Horne, Robert Berry, Michael Porteous, David Ross, Ryan Hall, Anton McKillop, Cameron Reynolds, Ruairidh Fleming, Mark Moncrieff