Strollers set up chance of a double

A GOAL in each half saw Civil Service Strollers claim the South East Region Youth FA's under-16 Division 3 League Cup with a hard-fought win over Lochend at Saughton Enclosure.

Ryan Crawford and Conor Berry were on target for Strollers in a close contest between two sides who have lost just three league games between them all season.

Early on, neither team managed to get into their stride and it was ten minutes until the first real opportunity was created. After some clever play by Lochend's Tommy Lyall, he slipped a pass into Shanley Forbes, who struck the ball sweetly and forced a great save from Strollers keeper Scott McLeod. Forbes was involved again halfway through the first period when putting pressure on the Strollers defence, forcing a clearance from keeper McLeod. But 28 minutes in, against the run of play, Strollers scored from a set-piece.

The ball was whipped in and headed goal-wards, only for a combination of Lochend keeper Ross Wood and a defender to clear the initial effort off the line but Ryan Crawford hit the net off the rebound.

Lochend battled hard to try and get a goal before half-time, but were being limited to playing long balls which the Strollers defence, led by the imperious centre-back Michael Langdale, dealt with flawlessly.

Strollers could have gone on to add to their lead shortly before half-time when an inch-perfect ball by full-back Mark Jeffries found Allan Walker at the far post, but Walker could only head wide.

Lochend seemed very keen to get started for the second-half and took only a few minutes break at the interval and their desire paid dividends, as they piled the pressure on the Strollers goal.

The Strollers keeper McLeod was forced to make a clearance only a few minutes later then Lyall took the ball past two players, only to put his side-footed effort wide of the right post.

Despite this pressure, Strollers got their second goal eight minutes into the second half when goal-scorer Crawford turned provider as he played through Berry.

It looked like the chance had passed as Berry cut inside towards a crowd of opponents, but he held his composure and slotted the ball past Lochend keeper Wood.

Strollers' lead could have increased further after the second goal when Berry was played in again and this time tried a chipped shot which beat the advancing goalkeeper, but was blocked by a defender who positioned himself well.

Lochend No.1 Wood was then called into action once more, pushing over a deflected Finlay Matthews shot which bounced awkwardly but Wood, who judged the ball well considering how hard the surface was, saved the effort.

Lochend lost momentum after conceding the second goal and it looked like Strollers were the more likely to score in the remaining time.

Civil Service Strollers match secretary Ross McKenzie was happy his side's defence was able to limit Lochend to few chances.

He said: "The defence has been solid all season.

"In the last ten games they've kept eight clean sheets and the strikers take the chances when they come."

Meanwhile, Lochend coach Cameron Grey admitted Strollers had been worthy winners.

"It's disappointing we lost the game, but they are good team and they probably edged it."

The two teams meet again in the league in what is a title decider, but Strollers can enjoy this victory in the knowledge they have already secured promotion for next season.

Civil Service Strollers: Scott McLeod, Scott Edmond, Andrew McKenzie, Conor Berry, Mark Jeffries, Marcus Brown, Connell Mackay, Craig Newall, Marc Reeves, Ryan Crawford, Finlay Matthews, Ross Tipton, Michael Langdale, Allan Walker.

Lochend: Ross Wood, Fraser Notman, Daniel Knowles, Scott Fergus, Connor Gannuci, Ross Wallace, Tommy Lyall, Scott Laidlaw, Lewis Smith, Callum Baird, Se Los Sfyris, Andrew Keighren, Matthew Tipton, Shanley Forbes, Paul Somerville, Christopher Sneddon.