Delight for Whitson as five-star show against Danderhall seals Robertson Cup glory

THE Robertson Cup has been contested by local amateur teams since the end of World War II, but there was little fight from Danderhall Miners' Welfare as they succumbed to a 5-0 defeat by Whitson Star in the final of this year's competition.

Whitson reserved their best for the latter stages of the game at Paties Road, taking the lead just before half-time before rifling four goals past their adversaries in the final half-hour of the match. Violent thunder and lightning provided the only spark in a dour opening period where chances were few and far between.

Whitson's Nicholas Crawford headed narrowly over on 16 minutes and Danderhall's Stewart McNeilis went close on the half-hour mark but saw his 20-yard effort pushed wide by Stuart Richardson.

Danderhall's goalkeeper David Holmes and defender Robert Vass contrived to gift Star the lead just before half-time, when a misunderstanding led to Vass heading the ball over Holmes and towards his own goal. Scott Thomson seized the ball and simply side-footed home.

Graham Roberts swept a glorious shot from outside the box past Holmes on 60 minutes to double Star's lead and, five minutes later, Holmes flapped at a corner to allow Scott Maybury an easy header, which he converted.

With 20 minutes left and Danderhall tails between legs, Holmes was again guilty of failing to catch a corner-kick, instead padding the ball to the ground. John Hall was quick to capitalise on the goalie's mishap and shot quickly into the empty net.

Vass made up for his earlier misdemeanour with a brilliant last-ditch tackle on Ryan Morrison as the Whitson defender bore down on goal on 75 minutes, but his – and Danderhall's – misery was compounded eight minutes later when Star notched a fifth. Danderhall's Mark Banks found himself in possession but in a muddle on the right-hand side and Whitson's Morrison was quick to take control of the ball, taking it along the left wing before crossing into the box. There, Roberts emphatically connected with the ball, sending it into the top left-hand corner to add some extra shine to Star's cup glory.

Charles Gallacher, president of the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur FA, said after the game: "I thought the two teams showed a very competitive spirit and good discipline, which was a pleasure to see. Whitson deserved their win, but Danderhall did well to get the final in the first place.

"We have another six finals to be played now, before the final of the Logan Cup on May 31."

Whitson: Stuart Richardson, Neil McKay, Nicholas Crawford, Andy Enwood, Darren Deery, Neil Bruce, Scott Thomson, John Hall, Graham Roberts, Scott Maybury, Neil Ferrier, Craig Robertson, Ryan Morrison, David Garrie, Michael Riley.

Danderhall: David Holmes, Robert Vass, Martin Shepherd, Mark Banks, David Bird, Stuart Reid, Bryan Ramsey, Mark Ireland, Andrew Todd, Graeme Pender, Stewart McNeilis, Robert Cole, Jamie Bold, John Murray, Wayne McDonald, Bruce Morris.