IN an all-Roseburn clash in the Lothian Buses Second Division League Cup final at Saughton Enclosure, it was the team in the blue jerseys, Roseburn United, that emerged 2-1 winners over the club’s Colts in another sporting and well-contested game of football.

Referee, Craig Jarvie, had  a tough task to keep up with the non-stop action during this final, but he did not have anything else to worry about with two such sporting teams in  opposition. While the Colts coach was disappointed with his side’s form, saying: “We didn’t compete in the first half and, although we did better in the second period and got back to 1-1, we then lost another goal,” you have to give credit to the players in the United ranks. They worked exceptionally hard throughout the game and they fully deserved to come out on top.

In a very good start to the game, the all-black Colts were put under pressure by their club colleagues and United were rewarded for their all-action style of play when Danny Denholm showed excellent control when breaking free on left, before cutting in to deliver a great shot that went in to the net between Colts keeper, Shaun Begley, and the post. A great goal to open the scoring and the pace of the game continued up to half-time, without any more goals, however, to warm up the freezing spectators on a Scottish ‘summer’ night. Colts looked to be much more fired up for the second half and it was they who took command of the game, showing much more commitment to win 50-50 balls and they got the equaliser they wanted in the 5^th minute of the second half.

A great long throw-in from the left, delivered by Jordan Young, was headed on towards the United goal and big Kerr Gibson swivelled in the box to volley a superb shot past opposing keeper, Danny Ferris, to bring the game back to 1-1. Colts looked as if they could have gone on and scored again but, for some reason, their level of commitment and desire dropped, with United coming to the fore again.

They way the players in the blue jerseys challenged for every ball was great to watch and it was the Colts who were on the receiving end again when United scored the goal of the game – and it also  proved to be the winner. What a goal it was, too, with Steven Gray, breaking loose on the left and he outpaced the Colts defence to home in on goal and deliver a glorious shot that crashed down from the underside of the crossbar and over the line. That spectacular goal will live in this young player’s memory for a long time to come, even more so as it clinched the silverware for Roseburn United. Presenting the teams with their rewards, ERYFA official, David Young, said: “The game was played in a wonderful spirit and the winning goal was good enough to win any game. Well done, to both teams for an excellent final!” 

Roseburn United – Danny Ferris, Rory Brands, Colin Williamson, Ryan Stewart, Liam Doherty, Jamie Ferguson, Vince McGuire, Jamie Faill, Danny Denholm, Andy Martin, Steven Gray, Tumbi Msiska, Ryan Mullen, Greg Thomson, Duncan McPherson, Matthew McMillan.

Roseburn Colts – Shaun Begley, Jamie Dunn, Iain Dutia, Scott Sinclair, Jordan Young, Kerr Gibson, Paul Hunter, Liam Robertson, Calum Fraser, Gary Miller, Shaun Dunn, Liam Dignan, Jordan Aikman, Lee McKenzie, Jamie Alexander.

Referee – Craig Jarvie.