NORTH Merchiston under-14s deservedly lifted the David Innes Cup with a 2-1 victory against Spartans Reds at Saughton Enclosure to warm up  their large band of supporters on what was an extremely cold May evening, writes GRAHAM EWING.

Sadly, for Spartans Reds in their second cup final of the season, they never really got going in a match of few clear-cut chances, and they can only reflect on yet another below-par performance when it really mattered. Merchie started the better of the two teams without causing too many problems for the Spartans three-man defence.  However, it was following a rare Spartans foray that the deadlock was broken.  A fairly innocuous through ball went surprisingly unchallenged by the Spartans defence, allowing Stephan Baigan to run through on keeper Rowan Smith and coolly slot the ball into the back of the net. 

The goal seemed to spur Spartans into action, and although enjoying the most possession towards half-time, Merchie’s one-goal lead was well deserved on the balance of play. Spartans returned from the half-time break with a bit more urgency about their play.  Merchie defended well and continued to give Spartans problems with a neat-passing game using the full width of the big pitch at Saughton Enclosure.  Arguably, against the run of play, Merchie doubled their lead when a defensive error allowed Ian Dickson through on the unprotected Smith and teh Merchie striker netted with a clinical finish. 

Once again, Spartans lifted their game, and could have snatched a goal back but the Merchie defence played very well to protect Rory Russell in goal and, when called upon, the young goalie proved himself up to the task.  With Spartans continuing to make life hard for themselves with sloppy defending, they were awarded a penalty after Paul Martin was felled by keeper Russell when he really needn’t have challenged.  The penalty was duly converted, leaving Spartans with a meagre amount of time to get what would have been an undeserved equaliser. 

Merchie played out the last few minutes without too much threat from the Spartans three man attack, and celebrated wildly when the final whistle blew. At the presentation ceremony, North Merchiston coach Paul Orme dedicated his team’s well deserved victory to the memory of David Innes, a North Merchie stalwart of many years until his untimely death three years ago.  Credit must go to both teams who put in a huge amount of effort, but ultimately the best team on the night prevailed.

North Merchiston - Rory Russell, Dahni Kerr, Stephan Baigan, Keith Thomson, Garry Smith, Stefano Cocchia, Robert Kelly, Kris Aitken, James Russell, Murray Gibb, Adam Blues, Jordan Bate, Ross Fraser, Lewis Brown, Jordan Elliot, Sean McCready, Ian Dickson.

Spartans - Rowan Smith, Euan Tod, Blair McWhirter, Liam Andrews, Gareth Ewing, Liam Donnelly, Paul Martin, Tommy Farrell, Johnny Gilfillan, Chris Cavens, Matthew Cunningham, Jason Scott, Matthew Hardie, Andrew Kean, Marc Cable, Lewis Renton, Alexander Lawrie.