It took a magnificent save from a spot-kick from goalkeeper, Kevin Kesson, to ensure Redhall Star kept their 100 per-cent record alive in their first three games in the Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur FA.

Redhall were Gorgie Hearts' guests at the game in the Gyle Park and Kesson's magnificent dive to the right to block Ian Laidlaw's well-struck spot-kick was the defining moment in this game. The score was 2-1 for Redhall at that stage and if the penalty kick has been coverted, it would have been a major blow to the visitors. They should and could have wrapped up the game before the break but an incredible number of chances were missed with two goals from Peter Keenan all the young Redhall team had to show for their dominance in the first half.

Gorgie looked to be outclassed by the time match official Gianluca Marini blew for half-time. But the home side came out fighting in the second half and what a fright they game their younger opponents. Gorgie won much more of the ball and with their confidence soaring, they took the game to Redhall and when Chris Gordon slammed the ball past Kesson in a good move to reduce the deficit to 2-1, the visiting team were under severe pressure. Then came the spot-kick and it took Kesson's brilliant save to deny Gorgie the equaliser.

Redhall had lost the pace of the game and their good passing of the first half was replaced by players giving the ball away cheaply and how Gorgie benefited. Their players were much more confident and they looked a changed team, indeed. Redhall did lift their game sufficiently to run out winners but they almost paid the price for missing so many clear-cut chances. The home side,however, will rue the missed penalty. It was their chance to cause a major upset against Redhall - and it was a glorious chance missed by Gorgie Hearts. Both sets of players should also be  praised for the sportsmanship shown in this game.

 

Gorgie Hearts - Richrd Ionnie, Tamir Maltie, Ben Cockburn, Shawn Scofield, Abdul Bengharbia, Chris Gordon, Tam Wyman, Ian Laidlaw, Bradly Ralton, Paul Harvy, Jason Cochrane, David Saddington.

 

Redhall Star - Kevin Kesson, Laim McGowan, John McDonald, Chris Smith, Jay Hunter, Douglas Cunnison, Patrick Bonthrone, Stewart Lynes, Dean Thornhill, Peter Keenan, Craig Lynes, Steven Bell, Johan Ferguson, Craig Fell.

 

Referee - Gianluca Marini. 
 

TYNECASTLE Star welcomed Scottish Widows to Peffermill for their latest league game in the Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur FA, with the home club running out 3-1 winners, writes ANDY GIBSON. In his match report, he said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Scottish Widows to Peffermill for this league game. Widows were their usual selves, a strong tackling but fair team with two or three very useful players in their side. They always commit themselves to the game for 90 minutes but it was Tynecastle that emerged 3-1 winners in a good game. The home side missed several chances in the first half but still led 2-0 at the break. In the second half, Widows hit back to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and it wasn't until Star added a third goal before they could relax. The  home side had the ball in the net again, but the goal was disallowed. Goal scorers for Tynecastle were Steven Richards (2) and Rossano Carlino, while Jason Thomas was man-of-the-match!"