A bright but blustery day at Olive bank in Musselburgh was the venue as Rossvale Thistle booked themselves a place in the Scottish cup final. The team from Bishopbriggs were boosted by a large following who weren't shy in showing their delight at the full time result.

 

The ‘home’ side Musselburgh Windsor did give a good account of themselves and despite having two or three good spells of pressure during the match they simply couldn't get past the solid Rossvale defence, boosted by an excellent goalkeeper.

 

The early stages of the game were very well contested, with both sides trying to get the ball on the ground and play from the back. A few early chances followed with Paul King coming close for Rossvale before a long range attempt from Sean Gilroy, the Musselburgh wide man, sailed high and wide despite initially looking like it may test Graeme Milne in the Rossvale goal. Rossvale came very close to opening the scoring when Jack Crumlish smashed the ball against the post as he got a sight of goal. 

 

The agony for Thistle was short lived though as Paul King opened the scoring, the striker who had already threatened made no mistake in finishing when he was played in one on one with Windsor's Marc Aitken.

 

The opening goal gave Rossvale a major advantage and they came close again as a header from Aiden Wisely was blocked on the line by Gary Howie. Musselburgh had a similar chance at the other end before they almost equalised through Christopher Robertson who had his shot well saved by Milne.

 

Windsor came out flying in the early stages of the second half and Jamie Stewart came close to grabbing an equaliser only to see his deflected shot saved by Milne. A great short corner from Musselburgh also created an opening but Ewan McGachie failed to keep his header down.

 

In typical fashion Rossvale were boosted by the fact they had held on and a throw in on the right hand side proved decisive. The throw was taken and flicked into the path of Richard Dunn who nipped in before his marker to slot the ball beyond Aitken and into the net.

 

At 2-0, some would have sensed Windsor giving up. But that wasn't the case at all, as once more they threatened through Sean Gilroy. His shot was superbly saved by Milne who was definitely playing his part for Thistle. 

 

Rossvale soon did put the outcome beyond doubt as Cassidy finished well and chances for them were now regular. Excellent build up play was now in full flow as Adam Martin pulled the strings from midfield. Marin found Dunn who then squared the play to King who rattled the woodwork.

 

A short back pass soon let Dunn in again and a glorious chip made it 4-0. The icing on the cake came through King, who in fairness could have scored 3 or 4. King slotted home after a great save by Aitken from Cassidy.

 

Credit to both sides for giving their all and Rossvale look like a team who will put up some fight to get their hands on the under 16's Scottish Cup.