AGAINST a backdrop of the most wonderful views of the Midlothian countryside, Pathhead cruised through to the fourth round of the Scottish Amateur Cup when beating the vistiing Redding AFC (from Falkirk) 3-0 in the lovely winter sunshine at Callandar Park. It is remarkable that this village, built on a steep hill on the A68 has such a lovely flat pitch and excellent changing facilities for the village team with a view to 'die for' of the surrounding countryside. There was only going to be one winner of this game from the very opening whistle from an absolute top-class referee in John Hannah and that was the home side. They dominated the game from start to finish and how lucky Redding were to escape with only a 3-0 defeat is a mystery to all of us watching from the sidelines. The Lothian & Edinburgh AFA outfit should have scored the proverbial 'barrowload' of goals in the first half and their No 11, Steven Gough, had the doubtful distinction of missing a hat-trick of open goals! In an almost non-stop assault on the Redding goal, Gough and his fellow attackers were guilty of firing shots high and wide past the visting goal, time after time. The long overdue first goal of the game came from a free kick, given away when Richard Stewart felled Pathhead's Craig Hook on the left side of the 18yd box close to the byeline. Darren Irvine sent a searing cross in to the Redding goalmouth and Roddy McDougal can racing in to head a spectacular opening goal past Redding's very loud and noisy goal-keeper, Rab Binnie to make it 1-0. Chance after chance went abegging in the Redding goalmouth after that with Hook also guilty of missing the target when well placed. Only occasionally did the team from the Stirlingshire Amateur League break up the park and their big No 9, Barry Paterson, caused some anxious moments for the home defence. At the other end, Hook showed great individual skill to set up Gough in front of an open goal, but the Pathhead No 11 somehow managed to hit his shot on to the post with the goals gaping open in front of him. What a struggle it was for the home side to put the ball in the back of the net, but it all came right when Chris Thomas, one of the top players on the park, headed home a spectacular second goal for Pathhead following an excellent cross from the right wing. Almost immediately after that, Hook raced through on to a lovely pass to fire home a third goal for the home side. To show that it was not all one-side when it came to missing open goals, Redding's Ally Mulhall managed to shoot wide in front of the home goal and it was still 3-0 at the break. There were no more goals to cheer up the home fans of this lovely amateur club but the second 45 minutes was one of these rollicking amateur games of football that was a pleasure to watch. Both sets of players were obviously out to enjoy themselves and the game raced back and forward, with most of the forward movements directed towards the Redding goal again. Despite the non-stop attacking - and ridiculous misses in front of the Redding goal - it was easy to lift your eyes from watching the game to look across the sun-dappled and beautiful countryside. This was not a classical Scottish Cup clash by any means, but it did emphasise the enjoyment players can get from playing competitive football in a glorious setting and, it must be said, in a near perfect sporting attitude. Home coach, Ross Forbes, said: "Our side was depleted and we were missing six regulars, but we have a great team spirit among the players. Have of them are rubbish, but they love playing and we never turn players away if they want to enjoy playing football. This is what it is all about in the amateur leagues!" Ross can expect pelters for this assessment of his players at training this week! It was indeed a good result for the Pathhead squad and they do appear to have several good players in their ranks, but the number of misses in front of goal was remarkable. In the true tradition of this famous Lothian amateur football club, the game continued to be discussed when both sets of players moved on to the pub in the village for a pie and a pint in front of a roaring fire. What better way can there be than that for amateur footballers at the end of a sporting and enjoyable game on a lovely cold winter afternoon?

Pathhead - James Brown, Gus Kerr, John Robertson, Chris Thomas, Kenneth McNee, Roddy McDougall, Brian McNee, Darren Wilson, Craig Hook, Darren Irvine, Steven Gough, James McDougall, Tony Walker, Stuart Paterson, Darren Gough.

Redding - Rab Binnie, Gareth Ward, James Moonie, Ally Mulhall, Richard Stewart, Jamie Wilson, Chris Howie, Linton Binnie, Barry Paterson, Chris Thom, Alex Stewart.

Referee - John Hannah.

*Pathhead will entertain the winners of the Arkelston Ams v Tarbert Ams in the fouth round at Callandar Park on Saturday, January 6, 2007.

Leith Athletic returned from a tough third round test against Castlemilk in Glasgow celebrating a spectacular 4-0 success. Scott McAuley notched a hat-trick for Leith while Chris Riley got the other goal. Leith host Linwood in the fourth round on Saturday, January 6, at Leith Links.

Referee James Sim gets a close-up view of Edina Hibs' third goal from Josh Riddell as the ball heads for the top corner of the Preston goal, watched by goalkeeper, Kieran Beveridge and a group of spell-bound players in the goalmouth.