This was another top class encounter between two excellent amateur outfits and it was the unfancied Links United squad that took everything the Glasgow side could throw at them and then hit them with a sensational winning goal midway through the second half to clinch the points in a 2-1 win.

The Edinburgh club, the only team from the Capital to play in this prestigious league, kicked off in brilliant fashion and they shocked the highly rated Drumchapel side when taking a deserved lead in the opening stages with a cracking goal from Jordan Leishman following great play from Paul Roberts. Links' Paul Osborne said: "We were awesome in the opening stages and should have scored a couple of goals!" He was right on the ball with this remark, but when the visiting combine got going it was Links United who were on the defensive as Drumchapel mounted attack after attack on the home goal, playing glorious passing football with surging play up both wings.

The equaliser came in the 27th minute after prolonged attacks on Darren Walker's goal. David Forbes it was who set up the goal with great play on the right before delivering a great cross for Kevin O'Donnell to head the ball in to the net, despite a great attempt by Walker to keep it out. The goal, coming at that stage, was fully justified and the home side went through a sticky spell until they got themselves organised. It was still 1-1 at the start of the second half of this fantastic game of football and both sidelines were put through the mill as the tempo of the game increased.

Links, to their great credit, refused to buckle in the face of the sweeping football from Drumchapel and, gradually, they got back in to the game and then took control. Big Stewart Seigal in the centre of the home defence was in brilliant form and his colleagues in the Links team lifted themselves to great heights and that culminated in a truly wonderful winning goal. As the confidence in the home side soared, the ball was plucked out of the air in a raid on their goal by Walker and he sent a magnificent clearance away down the pitch to John Sutherland on the left. The Links No 12 showed a great first touch to control the ball then home in on the Drumchapel goal to send a shot crashing past keeper, James Christie, in to the net at his near post.

The Links sidelines erupted at this glorious goal and they were jumping all over the place in celebration. Links fully deserved that goal as they has worked so hard to get themselves back in to the game and then take charge. After going 2-1 in front, the pace of the game, if anything, went in to overdrive and it produced a thrilling finish. It was a bit untidy at times but match referee, Stewart Trotter, let all the shouting and impassioned appeals from both on and off the pitch to wash over him and he kept firm control of a game played like a cup final.

When the going got tough, the tough (Links United) got going and they emerged 2-1 winners to claim all three points against one of the best sides in the Caledonian League. It was a great game to watch and brought home the realisation, once again, that I must have been the only 'neutral' anywhere near this lovely football pitch at the Civil Service Sports Ground. The Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur FA has a day off due to the September weekend break, but this game more than filled the gap for me. It was wonderful to watch and, I have to admit, to see what I can only describe as 'raw passion' from their respective coaches and officials on the sidelines.

Also, how I wish I was young again and be able to play football. It must be wonderful for the players to participate in games such as this. Here is my list of Local Heroes in every sense of the word, there were so many good players on the pitch, starting with:

Links United - Darren Walker, Jamie McMeechan, Steve Weatherspoon, Stewart Siegal, Alan Brownlee, Gavin Frizzell, Andy Barker, Jason Wilson, Jordan Leishman, Paul Roberts, Ryan Dignan, John Sutherland, Peter Carrol, Sam Chetwynd, Andy Ritchie, Chris Greig, Cavin Crowther, Neil Brownlie, Stephen Osborne.

Drumchapel - James Christie, David Dragines, Martyn Docherty, Kevin Smith, Robert Scott, Thomas Fox, David Forbes, Greg Paterson, Kevin O'Donnell, Edward Crainie, Craig McDowd, Steve Paterson, Brian Nelson, Marc Reilly.

Referee - Stewart Trotter.

Post match reaction -

"I am very pleased and proud of the guys today for achieving three points in our first home game in the League.  I told them to go out and play the football they can and make up for the upset of losing last week to Glasgow Harp in a game that we should have taken something from.  The guys were fantastic in the first 20 minutes today and played in the way Siegs (Stewart Siegal, Asst Mgr) and I asked them to.  We have a squad of players who come along on a Saturday and give everything for the Club and I can't ask any more from them.  If they keep the work rate up, then we should be able to look forward to a good season ahead." - Manager, Steven Osborne