Amateurs round-up: Cavalry Park on a charge as they pursue Lothian Vale for Edinburgh East title

Cavalry Park remain in contention for the Edinburgh East title after they swept aside Edina Hibs 7-0 in awful conditions to cut the gap with leaders Lothian Vale.

It took just four minutes for the home side to open the scoring as Gav Clark lobbed Edina’s goalkeeper after Jonny Cowper played him in.

Clark would double his tally and Cavalry’s advantage ten minutes later when he headed in Jordan Baillie’s cross, and he secured his hat-trick before half-time when he found the net from close range.

Cavalry’ domination only heightened after the interval, with Kyle Bell tapping in for number four of the afternoon following good build-up play from Gary Nicholson.

Nicholson then added a further assist to his name when he set up Leighton Paterson, before Edina’s keeper fumbled for goal number six. Marc McCall completed the scoring with a terrific free-kick five minutes from time.

Lothian’s match with Musselburgh Windsor was abandoned due to an injury sustained by Ryan Walker, but they still hold a 12-point lead over Cavalry.

A depleted Westside secured a massive three points in the race for the Sunday Premier Division title as they came from behind to win 3-2 against fellow league chasers Royal Penicuik.

Both sides came into the match level at the top of the table on 28 points, and after a goalless opening period, visitors Penicuik struck first at Saughton with centre-back Kieran McHarg heading in a corner-kick.

Westside only had a squad of 12 players with two makeshift centre halves in Craig Dobson and Mikey Elder, both usually deployed in midfield and two of the club’s longest serving players, putting in starring performances to secure the victory.

Bryan Ferry headed in the equaliser for the hosts, and Jamie Laing struck from the edge of the box to put Westside ahead after Scott Thomson had played him in.

Penicuik hit back through a Greg Kerr header, but Westside would take all three points as Thomson netted from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere, Tollcross Thistle and Edinburgh South Vics braved the snow at the Oriam with the former coming out on top, winning 6-3 in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Michael Yuill and Sam Thompson both notched doubles for Tollcross, while Steven Milne and Stewart O’Neill also got on the scoresheet for the home side.