Mixed fortunes for city sides but cup is there for taking

Fifteen Edinburgh amateur football teams remain in contention for the Scottish Sunday Amateur Trophy - but Capital representation in the national tournament suffered a major blow as many sides were eliminated at the third round stage at the weekend.

Edinburgh Ansar, Oxgangs AFC, Westside AFC, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Gas and Gotham City all failed to take advantage of home ties, while Gilmerton MW, Granton Star, Roseburn Thistle, Hibs of Midlothian and Sporting Chesser were defeated on the road.

However, the latest round of ties proved profitable for a number of clubs, while others will learn their fate in replays or rescheduled fixtures.

Impressive victories were posted by Edinburgh and District Sunday Amateur FA teams Abbey Athletic, Salters AFC, Redhall Star, and St Vincent's, while Elm Edinburgh and Spartans also triumphed.

Local association secretary Len Blackie was pleased with the win-loss ratio of his member clubs. He said: "We're really pleased for the teams who have gone through. I know that St Vincent's are over the moon, Abbey did very well, Elm Edinburgh thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and Redhall we're hoping will do well in this competition."

The fourth round draw was completed before all matches at the previous stage were settled, and the only sticking point for Blackie is that Ryrie's Alba, mid-table in EADSAFA's Premier Division, will come up against Redhall should they win their re-arranged tie at Dundee side Michelin Social Club this Saturday.

Spartans AFC, conquerors of EADSAFA rivals Hibs of Midlothian, will face Glasgow outfit Westhill AFC, who beat city club Roseburn Thistle.

Of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur F.A clubs in the third round, many suffered heavy defeats, but Edinburgh Capital, making their debut season in the local league, emerged victorious, winning 6-1 at home to FC Masada.

Musselburgh HW will play their third round match against crack West Lothian side Tower this Saturday, while Premier Division table-toppers Boca Seniors and Corstorphine AFC contest the same stage of the competition this weekend against Centre Point Albion and The Famous Star respectively.

Paul Campbell, secretary of LEAFA's Sunday Section, is optimistic about the chances of his member sides.

He said: "I was really pleased with the number of teams who went forward to the third round, but, unfortunately, there is just one that has gone through so far. Last year we had a team, The Jolly, who went through to the quarter finals.

"Edinburgh Capital are a very new team - it's their first season in our association and they're second in Division 2 at the moment. They're a cracking bunch of guys and are well-run.From an association point of view, it's a pleasure to have them.

"Musselburgh's game this weekend will be good. They're a strong, well set up team. Their fourth from bottom in Division 1, which doesn't reflect some of their great results."

Musselburgh official Fraser Elgin realises the difficulty of the tie against Tower but is confident his side can earn the right to play Cobbies AFC or Livingston United in the fourth round.

"We're quite a young side, and that has often been our problem," said Elgin. "At this level of football, it's difficult to get form because you change week to week. I know Tower got to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup last season, so they're obviously a good team. You've always got to fancy your chances, though, and we're at home."

An all-Capital, cross-association tie between East Craigs United and Roslin Da Vinci will go ahead at Saughton 3G after the latter overcame fellow city side Scottish Gas on Sunday.

Edinburgh Sunday Amateur FA outfit LBC were scheduled to meet Glasgow side Finnart to win the right to face Coach & Horses or Bobby's Bar, but the result of their third round tie was yet to be confirmed at the time of writing. The same applies to ties involving ESAFA teams Lothian Athletic and Sighthill AFC.