East of Scotland League Select Team

The East of Scotland had a comfortable win going 3 goals up before losing a late goal from a direct free kick with just over 5 minutes left. Scott Bennett in goals handled superbly throughout, behind a well organised back four which consisted of Morrison, McNamara, Fowlie and Fusco. The East from the start showed that they were determined to win this match building on their impressive result at Easter Road last year. They started the more livelier and had a few near misses especially when the Highland League goalkeeper made a point blank save from a Robbie Ross header. Like Stephen Clee, Robbie Ross ran the channels well and Ross thoroughly deserved to open the scoring, running on to a defence splitting pass from Kevin Motion, giving the oncoming goalkeeper no chance. The Highland League delivered excellent corners and the East had to be at their best to stop them from levelling the scores. Fowlie nearly made it two when he slid in at the back post after a well delivered corner from Motion.

After the interval the East continued to dominate looking for the killer goal and this nearly happened on 52 minutes when Clee just fired a left foot shot wide. McAuley and Redman were working hard in midfield, defending and supporting the wide players and strikers. Sloan and Kader had caused their opponents problems. It was not surprising therefore when the East went two up when the pace of Gormley took him past 2 defenders to pass to Clee who in a tight space, brilliantly went round three defenders before lashing the ball high into the net. Although the Highland League tried to get back in the game it was the East who looked like increasing their lead. With just less than 20 minutes left, McNamara played a diagonal ball forward and Gormley outjumped the home defence for Bryan Wilson to strike an unstoppable left foot shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. With little more than 5 minutes left the Highland League scored a consolation goal after they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. Michael Morrison's free kick beat the wall and the ball ended up in the corner of the net.

Overall this was a excellent performance by the East team who were a credit to the Association, and players now await to see if they are selected for the Scotland Team to play in the 4 Nations' Tournament in Wales in May.

Bennett ( Edinburgh University )

Fusco ( Edinburgh University )

Morrison ( Edinburgh City)

McNamara ( Edinburgh City )

Fowlie ( Spartans )

Kader ( Spartans )

Sloan ( Annan )

McAuley ( Preston )

Redman ( Edinburgh University)

Motion ( Spartans )

Wilson ( Preston )

Gormley ( Whitehill Welfare )

Clee ( Edinburgh City )

R. Ross ( Edinburgh City )