Harestanes dish out drubbing to secure Memorial Trophy

NEWCRAIGHALL Leith Vics have turned their pitch around for the start of the new season in a few weeks' time, but it was the Lothian & Amateur Premier Division outfit who found the change in direction upsetting as they crashed 4-0 to Harestanes in their annual clash for the J J McKenzie Memorial Trophy.

And the side from east Edinburgh could have suffered an even heavier defeat on their lush pitch in Newcraighall Public Park, as their classy opponents looked sharper in all areas. Following a photocall to mark a sponsorship deal at which Peffer Paints Company were represented by Ian MacAndrew, Vics made a promising start, passing the ball about well and winning two early corners. And it took a good block by Harestanes keeper, Brian Brown, to deny Sean Ritchie an opener.

But that was the only time in the game that Vics were given the freedom to express themselves.

In Harestanes' first attack, the danger signs were there for everyone to see, with David Hunter causing havoc on the right.

The Harestanes No.7 forced a corner on the right that was cleared, followed by a free-kick. That, too, was cleared but Hunter then created space for himself on the right of the 18-yard box before sending a tremendous left-foot curling shot on to the far post with home keeper, Craig Bryce beaten to the wide.

In the 12th minute though the team from Kirkintilloch went 1-0 up, Hunter sending over another great cross from the right for James Tanner to send a header crashing into the back of the net from eight yards out.

Poor defensive covering continued to put the home side under pressure, but Bobby Reid injected some pace in the Vics attack when he came on.

Harestanes, however, got a second goal when a ball through the middle was picked up by the unmarked David Keaveney. He sent a precise lob over the advancing Bryce to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute.

Harestanes were well worth their two-goal lead at the break as the home side had struggled to keep the score down prior to the half-time whistle.

Vics put up a much better show after the break and both Andy Dailly and Reid impressed in raids on the Harestanes goal.

In fact, it took a great block from Brown to keep Vics out and when the ball broke away from goal the chance to score had passed. But the visiting side looked ominously dangerous whenever they attacked the Vics goal. At times, their slick passing and quick moves stretched the home defence to the limit.

Andy Dailly sent another good shot narrowly wide of the target in a much more open and competitive second half. At the other end, it took another great stop by Bryce to prevent Cameron adding to Harestanes' lead but there was nothing the home defence could do to prevent Billy Tennant scoring a third goal in the 65th minute.

Hunter, who had looked so impressive on the right wing for Harestanes in the first half, then showed his versatility by playing equally well as a left-sided defender. He broke up the left, powered his way in to a good shooting position then sent a crashing left-foot drive narrowly over the bar.

The confidence in the Harestanes ranks was reflected in the quality of their passing and movement and when Ian Colston made it 4-0 almost with the last kick of the ball, the final whistle must have been a welcome relief to the home squad. This game was refereed by excellent whistler Gary McKenzie and the trophy in memory of his father was handed over to Harestanes skipper, Benny Haggerty, by Newcraighall Leith Vics supremo, Kevin Millar.

Said Millar: "We were well beaten. Harestanes are a great side and it is good to play against teams of their quality. Everyone of their players looked athletic and the way they passed the ball about was brilliant."

And McKenzie added: "Harestanes start their league fixtures next week and they looked to be that much fitter than Newcraighall Leith Vics.

"This was Harestanes' sixth game in their build-up to the new season."

Newcraighall Leith Vics: Craig Bryce, Paul Armstrong, Steve McCulloch, Chris Morrison, John Dailly, Even Watson, Davy Meenen, Steve Igoe, Andy Dailly, Sean Ritchie, Bobby Reid, Stuart Gibbons, Tommy Doig, Stuart MacLeod.

Harestanes: Brian Brown, Paul McKimmey, Bobby Colston, Benny Haggerty, Jim McKinney, David Keaveney, David Hunter, Jamie Fawcett, James Tanner, Gordon Cameron, Ian Colston, James Young, Tom Craven, Paul Brownlie, Billy Tennant, Tom Cobain.

Referee: Gary McKenzie.

ALL funds raised this season for the J J McKenzie Memorial Trophy will be handed over to the Intensive Care Unit at the Western General.