Leith bowled over by win

Athletic overcame rivals United for the second time in a cup final in the past month, maintaining their near-perfect record for the campaign by setting up a two-goal lead by half-time, and sharing a goal apiece with their opponents in the second period.

Seven minutes in, Athletic came closest to scoring as Lewis Tracey managed to get his header on target but his effort lacked any real power and threat to United keeper Neil McArthur.

After this warning, United started to get themselves into the game and could have had the ball in the back of the net on 13 minutes. A ball in from Josh Morris found Mark Weatherburn at the back post only yards from goal. However, Weatherburn couldn't guide his effort goalwards and, to his relief, the offside flag saved his blushes.

United would have taken the lead only minutes later if not for the hands of Athletic goalkeeper Matthew Banks.

A corner from the right was deadly accurate and Joseph Mcvey put a perfect header on goal but Banks was equal to it by displaying good positioning.

Despite the pressure on them, it was Athletic who grabbed the lead. Jason Stevens nudged the ball forward with his head and then used his pace to burst past the back-tracking defender.

Even with pressure from the defender and the on-coming goalkeeper, Stevens slotted the ball into the net on the half-hour mark – a nice piece of individual play that delighted his team-mates.

Athletic were then awarded a penalty eight minutes later for handball although it appeared to be a harsh decision as the ball barely touched the defender's arm.

Jack Combe stepped up to take the penalty for Athletic and he placed it just right of centre but McArthur guessed the direction of the ball correctly and held the shot well.

Combe held his head in his hands in despair after the miss, but he made up for it a minute later by setting up Athletic's second goal. His ball across the box was poked into the net by Tracey at the far post and the penalty miss was all but forgotten.

United picked themselves up and were unfortunate not to score just before the half-time whistle. A cross by Jason Hunter on the right-hand side had to be tipped over the bar by Banks and, minutes later, Stuart Simpson only just put his shot wide after a great pass and run from Morris.

Despite not managing to score in the first half, United got one back on 52 minutes.

Substitute Michael Collin received the ball from outside the box, dribbled towards goal then calmly stroked the ball home to give United a lifeline back into the match.

Athletic's response was quick and, only minutes later, a corner from the left was flicked on by Darren Lavery and his effort struck the crossbar.

However, Athletic's pressure soon told and they managed to restore their two-goal lead halfway through the second half.

Lavery latched on to a through-ball and charged in on goal and, although McArthur did well to deny him by diving at his feet, the keeper could not hold the ball. Lewis Martin was intelligently following up and hit the loose ball into the net.

After this, shots on goal were limited to long-range efforts – especially from United. Collin came close minutes before the final whistle but Banks pushed his shot on to the post and the ball was eventually cleared away by the Leith defence.

Athletic coach Willie McFarlane reflected afterwards on a fine end to the club's season, saying: "We were disappointed about how we started in the second half, but we came back to win after they had a good spell.

"I would just like to say a big thank you to all the players and the committee at Leith Athletic for all they've done this season."

Leith Athletic: Matthew Banks, Christopher Barrie, Jamie Burstow, Neil Lowson, Liam Rafferty, Steven Lynch, Jason Stevens, Ryan Davidson, Jack Combe, Darren Lavery, Lewis Tracey, Stephen Barrie, Lewis Martin, Blair Dickson, David Menzies, William Bremner.

Edinburgh United: Neil McArthur, Neil Smeaton, Stuart Simpson, Johnny Coleman, Joseph Mcvey, Jason Watson, Mark Weatherburn, Sam Campbell, Josh Morris, Jason Hunter, Kris Mitchell, Michael Collin, Lloyd Hall, Stephen Griffin, Jordan Smith, Steven McHoul.