EDINBURGH CITY under-16s were in stunning form in their Scottish Cup tie against Gleniffer Thistle at Sighthill and the Capital crackers cruised into the next round of the national event for their age group with a resounding 5-0 win.
While this was a superb team performance from Ross McNeill's very good squad of players, the match was marked by the sheer brilliance of big Keiran McGachie, the nearest thing to perpetual motion I have seen in any youth game.
McGachie also produ
ced the highlight of this excellent tie when he rammed in the most perfectly-struck shot from the left-hand corner of the 18-yard box into the far corner of the Thistle goal to put the home side 2-0 up.
But the entire City team were firing on all cylinders from the start of this game and it took very determined play from the visiting side from Paisley to stem the tide of attacks before City made the breakthrough in the 28th minute.
McGachie knocked home the first goal after a shot from Kenny O'Brien had rebounded off a post and the big Edinburgh City No.12 finished it off.
Thistle put up a great show in the first half and they worked their socks off to take the game to the other end. They managed to force a corner and McGachie was back in defence to use his height to great effect to head clear in the crowded goalmouth.
When the ball was in the Thistle half of the pitch, City absolutely sparkled, with Nicholas Locke, Ryan Hutchison and Jason Mackie all in top form.
Thistle goalkeeper, Sean Baird, was a real star for his team, displaying great courage and performing wonderful saves.
Liam Smith was another of the home side who was in adventurous mood and he featured in attacking moves up the left.
It was a tough task for Thistle as the exuberant City attack swarmed all over the visiting defenders and, when McGachie smashed home his fantastic second goal, it became almost mission impossible for the Paisley team.
Baird was the busiest player on the pitch and the Thistle goalie produced another excellent double save to deny first Locke then Jake Moyes.
The relentless attacks on the visitors' goal were halted time after time by big No.5 David Wardrop and his overworked colleagues in the Thistle rearguard.
But City's third goal came when Locke slammed a low shot past the unsighted Baird from just inside the 18-yard box to put the home side in a 3-0 comfort zone.
Michael Travis raised a cheer with a spectacular overhead attempt that went just wide of the target and then the talented Mackie showed great opportunism when he pounced to make it 4-0 for the Capital outfit.
Thistle, however, also raised their game in the second half and it became a real Scottish Cup tie, with knocks galore for both teams.
Baird was even better in goal but City maintained their high tempo with brilliant, sweeping attacks.
Ali Herrington went close with a header before the Thistle No.9 showed great determination to win the ball on the right and send in an excellent cross from the right. It was cleared by the City defence only as far as the waiting Alex Crossan just outside the box, and the Thistle No.6 fired in the rebound only for City goalkeeper Cee Miller – another very good young prospect – to clutch the ball confidently just under the crossbar. Hutchison and Fraser Healey then went close to adding to City's tally.
Thistle No.6 Crossan was again up to have a go at the City goal but it was the home side who took the final score to 5-0 when McGachie combined well with Healey and the City No.19 finished off brilliantly to complete a very impressive team display for City.
Despite the scoreline, Baird was quite magnificent in the Thistle goal. The Paisley side played as well as they were allowed to by a much better team on the day, although it could have been a much bigger margin for the home side at the finish.
Edinburgh City: Cee Miller, Craig Tulloch, Liam Smith, Ryan Hutchison, David Heggie, Michael Travis, David McNeil, Nicholas Locke, Jason Mackie, John Low, Keiran McGachie, Keir Young, Nicholas Kneebone, Fraser Healey, Jake Moyes, Kenny O'Brien.
Glennifer Thistle: Sean Baird, Scott Crawford, Scott Bramma, James Henderson, David Wardrop, Alex Crossain, Stuart McKenzie, Ali Herrington, Kris Bryson, Conor McFadden, Matthew McStay, Gary Pettigrew, Ciaran McKenna, Steven McKee, David Morrow.
Referee: Mike Smith.
ON the adjoining pitch at Sighthill, Edinburgh City Colts under-15s scored seven goals without reply in their Scottish Cup tie against Baljaffray from Milngavie.
City's goals came from Ousman See (2), John Dickson (2), Andy Ramsay (2) and Sam Ramsay.
