Tollcross set up a title showdown with rivals Sandys

Thistle coach Alan McKay was pleased to pick up the points as they bid to close the gap on leaders and current champions Sandys who they face this Saturday at Castleview.

McKay said: “We were the better team technically on the day and dealt with their physical style well. It was our first competitive game after Christmas so we are happy with the three points.” It was indeed the visitors who gained the initiative in the first half when Mark Antoni knocked in from close range, but Musselburgh’s Steven Devine’s cross was met by Eamonn Reynolds who powered in a header to level the match at 1-1.

Tollcross secured the winner after the interval when Sean Mossman was quickest to react following a strike which cannoned off the post to slot home from a couple of yards.

Musselburgh’s Cris Kay was left far from happy with his players’ showing in a match they failed to get to grips  with.

Kay said: “I don’t mind losing a game if my players show the right attitude and determination. We never kept enough possession to deserve anything out of the game but credit to them, they are a good and well organised side and deserved the three points.”

Rose bloom in Logan Cup

Premier Division 1 Edinburgh Rose defeated Watt Star 3-1 to progress to the fourth round of the Logan Cup in an entertaining clash at the Gyle.

Raymond Walker put Rose ahead in the first half when he managed to strike the ball through a number of players to score before Scott Brown made it 2-0 when he converted after a cross from the right to put the visitors firmly in control.

However, Paul McAnulty made it 2-1 after the break when he latched onto Stevie Morton’s through ball and slotted into the corner to give Watt star hope. Rose sealed victory with five minutes remaining when Paul Dunlop cut in to fire a powerful strike on goal which goalkeeper Duncan Logan would have been disappointed not to have kept out.

Rose have been performing well in both league and cup competitions this season while opponents Watt Star have a relegation fight on their hands in Lothian East.

Rose’s Les Woolard hopes his side prove more ruthless in front of goal in the coming weeks. He said: “We missed loads and loads of chances and their goalkeeper had a lot of saves in the second half but we’re through and that is all that matters.”

LEAFA entry

Applications are now being invited from new and existing clubs wishing to join the Lothian & Edinburgh AFA for season 2013/2014.

There are vacancies in both the Saturday and Sunday Sections and affiliation fees etc to LEAFA and the SAFA can be viewed at www.leafa.co.uk in the documents section under Affiliation Fees.

Club movement between Associations and leagues are governed by the Rules of the Scottish Amateur FA and any existing club who wishes to join LEAFA for next season must be accepted into membership of LEAFA on or before February 28, 2013.

Application Forms for both the Saturday and Sunday Section can be downloaded from the Documents Section of the LEAFA website but any club who wishes further information may in the first instance call David Ramage on 0131 538 3222 or 07906 81770 (email: [email protected]) or Charles Gallacher on 01506 654974 (Saturday Section) or Paul Campbell on 07546 430542 (Sunday Section).