Strollers travelled to Newcraighall to face unbeaten Premier team Newcraighall in the East of Scotland cup. Strollers travelled in good spirits after a good recent run of form and were looking forward to taking on what they knew would be a difficult challenge.
It was important that LBG got off to a good start, however unfortunately they fell behind when Newcraighall won a corner, a dangerous ball was crossed in and Thomson slipped as he tried to match his runner and the Vics player headed home the opener. It was a blow for LBG and the home side now had their tails up looking to get as many goals as possible. The Strollers and in particular Melvyn Dillon done very well to weather the storm and not concede a quick second and they slowly found themselves coming back into the game.
Burden had a half-chance when he won his first ever header but he hit his attempted lobbed volley way over the bar. Thomson and Gaunt also had efforts from range but neither had sufficient power to worry the home keeper. Talking of lacking power, Hitchen soon made Thomson and Gaunts effort look like piledrivers. After a brilliant run where he beat a couple of men, he looked up and took aim with his left foot from 25 yards, the defender controlled the ball on the edge of the box such was the weakness of the wingers strike.
Newcraighall looked dangerous going forward, in particular the pacy right winger was causing Watt problems down the left but Watt was sticking to his task gamely and the defence were coping well.
Newcraighall grabbed a 2nd goal shortly after and it was a real cruel blow to the Strollers, the Newcraighall man sent over a cross which the wind caught and sent it over the despairing grasp of Allan into the far corner.
Half-time
Newcraighall Leith Vics 2 - 0 LBG Strollers
Strollers knew they had a mountain to climb to get through to the next round but they gave it their best in the 2nd half.
Newcraighall took a 3 goal lead when the midfielder skipped past Hentges and fired a good drive into the corner of the net from 25 yards.
Shortly after this the Newcraighall's number 6 decided that he would start mouthing off, one comment i enjoyed in particular was "you think you can tackle a premier league player", this was unfortunate as up until this point the game had been played in the right spirit.
Burden then hit the bar with a decent strike when looking for a consolation before Newcraighall added an offside 4th.
Strollers were desperately unlucky not to get a late consolation, a terrific volley from Wallace at the edge of the box hit the post and landed at Hitchen at a tight angle, Hitchen drove it at goal but it smacked against the post again to stop them getting a deserved goal.
All in all it was a deserved win for Newcraighall but the Strollers certainly didnt embarrass themselves and on another day might have given the Premier side a scare.
Strollers now take on Redpath for the 3rd time this season with the sides 1-1 on games so far.
