The home side were beaten 6-1 by Bonnyrigg Rose 'A' in their first game of the new season but, since then, have collected maximum points. Their latest success against the managerless Tollcross was hard-earned and it was not until the closing stages of a very good game that Merchi got their clinching goal from Glenn Waddell.

The visiting keeper, Stuart Burnside, was in magnificent form for Tollcross but he could only parry a tremendous shot from Brett Hughson coming in from the right and Waddell followed up to score Merchi's second goal.

The first goal of this cracking free-flowing contest came in the 28th minute of the first half and it was well deserved at that stage as Merchi looked the better-organised outfit. It was Waddell who scored that goal, too, following great work by Nicholas Crawford on the left wing. Tollcross fought for every ball in midfield but their set-pieces let them down badly. Time after time, either from corners or free-kicks, Tollcross failed to get the ball in to the danger area and Merchi keeper, was never really troubled throughout the game.

His opposite number in the Tollcross goal, former Craigmount High School goalie, Burnside, was in inspired form and he kept his side in the game with several great stops. The visiting side's best chance in the first half came when Jamie Archibald got in to a good position only to be halted in his tracks by a tremendous tackle from Merchi No 5, Greg Gavin, the ball breaking kindly for the incoming Robbie Menzies to have a crack at goal but the alert Merchi goalie, Scott Walker, saved brilliantly.

Menzies was one of the star performers in the visiting ranks but he had to go off in the second period after picking up a knock. The home side had to work extremely hard throughout the second period of the game as Tollcross mounted attack after attack in a bid to get back on equal terms. Tollcross won free-kicks in dangerous positions, but poor deliveries let Merchi off the hook. The same result came from corner kicks and I can't remember one giving the well-organised and efficient North Merchiston defence any real bother.

Whenever the home side broke away, it was Tollcross that looked the more likely to concede another goal. Hughson has a couple of one-to-one chances with Burnside but, on both occasions, it was the big Tollcross keeper who came out top in these duels in the sun. On another occasion when Hughston rounded Burnside and shot for goal, it took a magnificent goal-line clearance from the back-tracking Tollcross skipper, Sheriff Meechan, to clear the ball off the line.

North Merchiston's experienced coach, Mark Paterson, said: "All credit to Tollcross, they made it difficult for us. They have several good players in their side and they knocked the ball about well. Once they get a new manager and get better organised they will be an even better side. Good luck to them, too. The game was played in a very good spirIt as well!" It was also significant that an excellent referee was in charge of this game in Paul Hanlon.

This latest success for North Merchiston was achieved with a couple of their top players out injured and Paterson added: "We lost our first game of the season and we have now won four in a row. But we will get even better when I have a full squad of fit players. I can guarantee that!" North Merchiston were drawn away to St Roch's in Glasgow in the Dunfermline Building Society Scottish Challenge Cup. They look to have a good squad of players again this season and they are still playing the passing game that their coach has given this club such a good reputation. Hopefully, they will benefit by having a great run in the Scottish Cup this season.

North Merchiston - Scott Walker, Robbie Jamieson, Nicholas Crawford, James Pendreich, Greg Gavin, Glenn Waddell, Brett Hughson, Scott Mayberry, Jamie Cooper, Samuel Hosker, Liam Alistair Bain, Blair Aitken, Alan Hogarth, Jeremy Bornet, Ewan Stewart, Stephen Elmwood.

Tollcross - Stuart Burnside, Kevin Robertson, Robert Doig, Sheriff Meechan, James McNamara, Jay Pollard, Chris MacIntyre, Scott Davis, Blair Robertson, Jamie Archibald, Robbie Menzies, David Bird, Kevin Martin, Alex White, Fraser Carr, Ian Wallace.

Referee - Paul Hanlon.