Vics lead the treble yell for city clubs

Local interest in the national tournament escalated after an intriguing cup draw that paired Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur FA third-tier side Tollcross Thistle with crack Glasgow outfit Harestanes and top-of-the-tree Whitson Star with multiple Scottish Cup-winning side Knockentiber.

Whitson ground out arguably the most impressive victory of the weekend by winning 2-1 at Bannockburn side Milton AFC, one of Scotland's most decorated amateur teams, while Redhall Star won 2-0 at north-east side Bervie Caledonian and could face Premier Division 1 rivals Uphall Station in the next round. Edinburgh side Sandys were unfortunate to emerge from their home tie against Baillieston Thistle with a 3-2 loss.

It was South Vics' five-goal salvo - all the hosts' goals coming in a thrilling second half at Saughton 3G - that caught the eye, particularly as their west counterparts Nazarene held a one-goal half time advantage.

Scott Sutherland's 45-minute hat trick, John-Ross Kerr's 20th goal of the season and substitute Darren Burns' header ensured that South Vics will face a 200-mile round trip to Argyll and Bute side Rosneath in the next round. Vics' coach Johnny Love said: "With the wind, it was the proverbial game of two halves. We were a bit rusty, but luckily enough the boys have shown a good attitude and we've trained twice a week during the last two months."

Premier Division 1 leaders Whitson Star were second-favourites going into their tie at in Stirlingshire, but a Chris Gordon brace nullified an early Milton opener to seal an away win and a trip to Ayrshire in the fifth round.

Whitson official George Thomson said: "Milton started on fire and scored early doors. We have been training quite hard and adapted well to the wet conditions, and it was a good, workmanlike performance.

"The next round will be difficult as Knockentiber are one of the best sides in the country, but we'll take anybody (in the draw] at this stage of the cup."

Redhall also clocked up an impressive victory on the road, seeing off Bervie Caledonian by 2-0. Craig Cockburn opened the scoring on 25 minutes and a cool finish by John McDonald ten minutes later sealed a fifth-round place for Keith Kinnaird's men.

"It's never easy going away, but the boys dug in deep and got the win we were looking for," said Kinnaird. "Our first goal knocked the wind out of them a wee bit, and our defence dealt with everything that was thrown at them."

Redhall's fifth round draw against fellow LEAFA side Uphall or Inverclyde was a disappointment for all with local interests at heart but Kinnaird, although preferring to avoid his side's Premier Division 1 rivals in the next round, is happy to be at this stage of the competition.

"We obviously know what Uphall are about, but we're not sure Inverclyde," he said. "When you get to this stage, the better teams are all going to be there We're just delighted to be there."

Meanwhile, the Uphall Station coach Jim Wilson is concentrating firmly on this weekend's fourth-round tie at home to Inverclyde before entertaining any prospect of going head-to-head with Redhall for a place in the last 32.

"Every game is tough for us," said Wilson. "We're a team that's won the league four times in the last six seasons, so everyone raises their game against us."

Should they beat Inverclyde to set up an all-Lothians tie, Uphall will look to call upon recent cup form against Redhall, having beaten them in a cup final and semi-final last season.

"Redhall is not a draw you want, as you want to stay away from your local teams," continued Wilson. "If we do play them, I expect it'll be an interesting game as both teams are evenly matched."

Unlucky to find themselves eliminated from the national competition are city outfit Sandys, who, despite concerted second-half pressure on visitors Baillieston, could not find an elusive third goal to equalise. The east Edinburgh side eventually lost 3-2, a result Sandys coach Paddy Mason found hard to digest.

"Baillieston were a decent side, but I'm not sure they'll go far in the competition," said Mason. "We just couldn't find the third goal. We had loads of free kicks and corners, but couldn't capitalise." A John Robertson header from Mark Glasgow's cross put the hosts in front, but Baillieston raced into a 3-1 lead by half time. Robertson hit a second to reduce the arrears to a single strike, but couldn't inspire his side to even matters. Tollcross Thistle, who claimed the considerable scalp of Kilsyth in the fourth round, were pitted against Kirkintilloch club Harestanes, back-to-back winners of the Scottish Amateur Cup eight years ago. Tollcross manager Alan McKay is eager for his side to be able to test themselves against another top team from the west.

"They've got a really good side, and we'll be up against it," he said. "The excitement is there. We're playing a team supposed to be one of the best around - that's motivation in itself. It's a good platform for the boys to try and prove they're as good as them, potentially better."

After a 2-2 draw at the weekend, Livingston AFC and Alyth AFC will clash in a replay in Perthshire to determine who will play Balmore AFC or Postal United away in the fifth round. LEAFA Premier Division 2 high flyers Broughton AFC will hope to finally contest their tie at Fife opponents Kennoway for the right to face either Lanarkshire team Caldercruix or Falkirk AFC.