Plenty of spice in Currie’s narrow quarter-final win

Currie appeared to be in cruise control after sailing into a three-goal lead but the hosts, despite being reduced to ten-men minutes before the interval, rallied in the second half and were unlucky not to send the tie into extra-time.

Ewan Castle gave Currie the lead after being set-up by team-mate David Gebbie’s neat pass before the home side were left with an uphill task after Alexander Paget was shown his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident.

Moments later, Salvesen failed to clear a corner from the right and Gareth Horne produced a neat finish with his weaker right foot to make it 2-0 at the break.

Three minutes into the second half, the match looked dead and buried as Murray Dobie stretched the visitors’ lead to three with a toe-poked effort giving Salvesen goalkeeper Cameron McCulloch no chance.

Jak Townsley’s corner was then headed in by Jamie Clunie to give Salvesen hope before they scored a second through Daniel Brown’s cool finish, but Currie held firm to see out  victory.

Currie now face Hillfield Swifts and coach Colin MacBeth is anticipating a tough fixture but remains confident of reaching the final.

MacBeth said: “We did well but perhaps took our minds off the game against Salvesen. They decided to give it a go so it was a really good game with some nail-biting stuff towards the end.

“We’ve played Hillfield once this season already and they gave us a hard game. They are a strong team but we’re ready for this match.”

South shine

• Edinburgh SOUTH 17s produced an impressive display to secure their place in the final of the Michael Moran Cup after a 2-0 success over Division 2 high-flyers Newcraighall Leith Victoria.

The match, played at Newcraighall Park, was one of the few grass pitches to be given the go-ahead over the weekend and Edinburgh South took full advantage.

Both sides struggled to carve out any clear-cut opportunities in the first half but when the deadlock was finally broken, it was a goal worth waiting for.

Edinburgh South striker Daniel McKinley seized the opportunity from a free-kick position at the edge of the penalty area by striking a great shot low into the far corner leaving the Newcraighall No. 1 rooted to his spot.

The home side tried to find a route back into the game after the break but it was South who doubled their tally and booked their place in the final when Scott Tranter knocked in a loose ball after some good build-up play involving South’s first goalscorer McKinley.

Edinburgh South’s Alan Palfreyman admits his side have picked up since some recent changes to his squad and is looking forward to the final against Longniddry Villa.

Palfreyman said: “We’ve added a couple of players recently who have made a big difference so the form has picked up lately. We played Longniddry quite a while back but I am sure they will be well up for the game as much as we are.”

Fernie in final

• Fernieside 15s were made to work for their Division 2 League Cup final place after eventually seeing off Eskmill FC 3-0 at Drum Park.

After a stalemate opening 40 minutes, the home side upped their game in the second half with Brendan Ogg grabbing the opener with a strike on the half-volley. Ben Gardiner then latched onto a long ball and showed great composure to put Fernieside two up shortly before Ogg claimed his second of the match with a clinical third.

Fernieside coach Lawrie Baillie thought conditions were extremely difficult but felt his players showed just enough to warrant the victory.

Baillie said: “The weather conditions were pretty atrocious to be honest. It was a fairly even first 30 minutes but we got the upper hand in the second half. They were a strong and physical team but I think we probably edged it. It would be a brilliant end to the season for us if we can go on and lift the cup.”