■Jamie Forsyth scores the second of his three goals to put his side 3-0 ahead

A terrific hat-trick by Jamie Forsyth helped Tynecastle sweep aside Bonnyrigg Rose at Saughton and win the John Crawford Cup.

Callum Paterson and Fergus Lockhart were the other scorers in a 5-1 win with Chris McCartney replying for the Midlothian side with a magnificent strike midway through the second half to give Bonnyrigg a glimmer of hope.

But Tynecastle were the better side in every department and deservedly collected the trophy with an emphatic but realistic margin.

A large crowd had turned out on either side of the pitch at sun-bathed Saughton to cheer on both sides in what was expected to be a tight affair between the region's top two U14 sides. And so it proved in the opening 20 minutes with chances few and far between. Bonnyrigg's size advantage was probably the more telling during this period with the front two of Jamie Knox and Ryan Somerville seeing lots of the ball from high balls played from the back.

But the two are mobile as well and they were trying to pull the Tynecastle defence about with both making regular appearances on either flank. Indeed it was Rose that had the best opening of either side during this period when Ryan Somerville burst into the box but he could only manage to shoot directly at Michael Ross who saved at the second attempt.

Tynecastle, at this stage, were comfortably containing Bonnyrigg with their excellent back four of Robbie McIntyre, Josh Riddell, Neil Gibson and Dale Finnie working as a superb unit. This was a feature of the entire match and it provided the foundation for their midfield and attackers to start to test the Bonnyrigg defence.

With 21 minutes on the clock they did just that. Frazer Galloway harried and pressed to win the ball on the left before feeding Callum Paterson. Paterson skipped a challenge to drive into the box and he unleashed an unstoppable low shot past Robert Dickson at the tighter near post.

Within 3 minutes Tynecastle doubled their lead. Frazer Galloway again was the player who won the ball in the middle of the park. This time with an attacking header for a loose ball and this gave Jamie Forsyth the chance to chase the bouncing ball and lift it calmly over the advancing keeper's head and into the empty net to the delight of the Tynecastle supporters.

It had been a largely scrappy first half and Bonnyrigg probably went into the break feeling a little aggrieved to be 2-0 down. But Tynecastle were now in control of this game and with their speed and mobility in advanced positions allied to a strong defensive unit you felt they would now go on and pick off Bonnyrigg in the second period.

Half Time 2-0

Bonnyrigg harried and pressed with energy in the opening minutes of the second 35 but it was a mirror image of the first half. Tynecastle had them contained and Michael Ross in the Tynie goal was protected and maintained his role as largely a spectator in this game. And once again this gave the Edinburgh side's more advanced players the freedom to gradually look to ask questions of the Rose defence.

With 9 minutes gone of the second half Tynecastle put this game out of sight for Bonnyrigg. The build up play down the wing had been excellent by Tynecastle but the eventual goal had a slice of fortune attached to it. Bonnyrigg's Scott Dunlop had the chance to clear but he hit the ball back across goal where it ricocheted into the gleeful path of Jamie Forsyth who steadied and steered the ball past the helpless Robert Dickson from 8 yards out.

Tynecastle were now in total command of this match and they had another chance on 51 minutes when their Afghan born striker Momad Ahmad broke into the centre of  box after a fine through ball from the excellent Frazer Galloway but Harry Tranent cleared at the last moment with a fine intercepting tackle.

Then, out of the blue, Bonnyrigg gave themselves a glimmer of hope in this game. Chris McCartney found himself with the ball at his feet on the left channel but he still had plenty to do to create an opening. He jinked past one challenge and with a wee bit of space now available he smashed a magnificent shot past the outstretched arms of Michael Ross and into the right hand corner of the Tynecastle net. A terrific goal and one that if Bonnyrigg could build on it would make for a nervy last 10 minutes or so for Tynecastle.

They were never given the opportunity however as the Tynecastle centre backs, Dale Finnie and Neil Gibson continued with their impressive display, mopping up everything and anything that Rose could muster.

In the final minutes Tynecastle put a deserved shine on the scoreline with two more goals. The first on 66 minutes gave Jamie Forsyth his hat-trick and what a way to get it. The wee striker was played in by a great ball from Callum Paterson and he sent a brilliant drive high into the top left hand corner of the net from 16 yards.

On 69 minutes, Gary Paton wheedled his way along the bye line before striking the post from an acute angle and then in the final minute Fergus Lockhart wrapped up the evening's entertainment with a goal bundled home at the second attempt. Frazer Galloway was the provider again sending in a cross towards Lockhart. Robert Dickson saved his first attempt but the ball spun towards goal and it was the Tynecastle player that was there first to knock the ball into the empty net.

This was another fine performance from the men in maroon. Disciplined, athletic, skilful and an all round very good team they were too much for the more physically advantaged Bonnyrigg side. The Midlothian side are clear in the race for second place in this season's league but their opponents this evening are at another level. The scoreline in this final probably reflected that.