Edinburgh's football men produce fighting display to see off Glasgow at Peffermill

Edinburgh moved a step closer to securing the prestigious Queens Park Shield for the first time in five seasons with an emphatic victory over rivals Glasgow.

Scott Fusco opened the scoring with a powerful free-kick from the edge of the area, as Edinburgh took control of the game.

The ever-impressive Jamie Redman extended the home side’s lead with a break from central midfield in the 40th minute. Finding himself with only the keeper to beat, he remained composed and, after his first attempt rebounded back off the post, slotted home into the empty net.

Despite Edinburgh’s attacking prowess, Glasgow were not lacking in a threatening presence up-front. However, the alert Mark Tait rushed off his line to scupper the Glaswegian efforts as the first half drew to a close.

Hopes of a Glasgow fight-back were ignited shortly after the re-start, when a corner, swung in from the right-hand side, was blown by the near gale-force winds into Tait’s net leaving the Edinburgh defence helpless. The visitors’ spirits were revived, but the gap in quality and commitment between the two sides became evident as the match progressed. Two minutes later Edinburgh extended the scoreline to 3-1 courtesy of a corner which caused confusion in the Glasgow defence. Redman was on hand to fire home with a strong, low shot to the keeper’s right hand side, netting his second of the game.

As the two sides continued to battle it out, the wind was visibly becoming an influential factor in the game, and the results of long balls, goal-kicks and corners were out of the players’ hands. Consequently, Edinburgh avoided the temptation to play long balls to their imposing front men, Peder Beck-Friis and Leon Hughes, and played some impressive one touch football around their opponents. In the 54 minute this tactic proved fruitful, when Beck-Friis found Hughes on the right-hand side of the penalty area, before the striker wrapped up a fine move with a the game’s most impressive finish.

Glasgow pulled one back in 58th minute when Edinburgh’s defence could only partially clear a free-kick and a shot which took a rebound in the ensuing melée to ripple the back of Tait’s net.

Edinburgh's response was immediate and saw Beck-Friis combine well with Hughes only to be fouled in the area when a goal looked imminent, leaving the referee with little choice but to signal a penalty. Fusco converted admirably, sending the keeper the wrong way and wrapping up the game for Edinburgh with half an hour still remaining.

The last 30 minutes produced little in the way of attractive football, with both sides assured of an Edinburgh victory. Substitute striker Cameron Mckinnon came on after a long-term injury to produce some eye-catching moves as Edinburgh appeared content to play out the game with neat passing but few threatening spells in attack.

Edinburgh’s impressive victory will see them take to the pitch in their next game, a top-of-the table clash against league-leaders Stirling, with confidence as they continue to fight for the number one spot in the Scottish Conference Men’s 1A division.