ANDY HOWAT scored his last-ever goal for Edinburgh University to help seal the win against Lothian Thistle and take the King Cup back to the students' union for the first time in 30 years.
Howat's goal, the second of the game, came in the 27th minute and he will not have scored many easier goals for any team before he now moves to Cowdenbeath in the summer. The tall, pacey striker was unmarked in the six-yard box where he was given time to poke a low cross into the net to leave Lothian with an uphill task.
"This was the last game for five of us who all graduate at the end of this term so it was quite emotional in the dressing-room," said Howat. "Because of that everyone appreciated before the game that we had to do well and we were all really up for it. We had a stirring speech before the game from the last University captain to lift the trophy, Dan Gerrard, and that helped inspire us.
"We were all a bit nervous early on in the game although I never felt as if we would lose a goal and then, after about ten or 15 minutes, we settled and started playing well."
Howat's summary of the early proceedings was entirely accurate as Lothian had the edge in the opening stages and could easily have gone ahead. Mark Cathcart had to head clear as Stuart McLaughlin's free kick before Andrew Cook denied Scott Gormley with a timely intervention as the Lothian striker was about to stroke the ball into an empty net.
McLaughlin had a free kick to the back post which Gormley met powerfully with his head but he directed the ball into the side netting. The students weathered this bright opening by Lothian and retaliated with a cross from Scott Fusco which Jamie Redman headed wide of the target then Stephen Maxwell released Michael Hazeldine who advanced to the edge of the penalty box where he fired a right-foot shot past the post.
The opening goal arrived in the 24th minute when Hazeldine and Redman combined in a series of crisp passes which enabled Redman to find space to steer the ball into the Lothian net low past Paul Cadger from 12 yards.
Only three minutes later the students doubled their advantage. The effervescent George Nikolaidis, also playing in his last game for the university before moving to Argentina, hit a low free kick across the face of the Lothian goal. The ball was missed by at least six or seven players and it landed beside the solitary figure of Howat at the back post where he had the simple task of guiding the ball into the unguarded net.
"I just gambled and made my run to the back post," he said.
"The ball went through a lot of players before it dropped to me and it was not the most extravagant of finishes although it was my last-ever goal for Edinburgh University and I am delighted with that. It was a nice end to my University football career although at the moment it has not completely sunk in that I am leaving.
"
The students went looking for a third goal to kill the game off and Nikolaidis almost obliged with a 22-yard free kick which dipped over the Lothian crossbar before the same player hit over a corner which was headed inches wide by the University central defender Stephen Thompson.
Lothian's best chance of the first half came three minutes before the break when Gormley found himself space in the penalty box but elected to pass to Phil O'Neill who then found Andrew Kidd only six yards out but the Lothian captain lifted his shot high over the crossbar.
Lothian started the second half in positive fashion and McLaughlin almost set up Gormley before O'Neill turned and fired a left-foot shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Mel Graham had a free kick held by Scott Bennett who had a safe pair of hands throughout the afternoon in wet and slippery conditions.
Graham thought that he had scored when he curled a superb effort towards the inside of the far post where Bennett brought off a magnificent save to divert the ball for a corner. Mark Boggie then tested Bennett with a free kick, Gormley had a shot saved before he also had a free kick confidently held by Bennett who was the busier goalkeeper.
Graham had another opportunity but delayed his shot in the University penalty area then Ross Alexander failed to hit the target from close range.
With four minutes left Lothian were given the ideal opportunity to bring themselves back into contention when they were awarded a penalty kick. A Kidd cross cannoned off Cathcart and the referee indicated hand ball and pointed to the spot.
Gormley stepped up to hit the ball low to Bennett's left but once more the goalkeeper flung himself across goal and pushed the net-bound spot kick away for a fruitless corner and with it went Lothian's last hope of saving the King Cup final.
Jamie Redman, who scored the opening goal, said: "We knew before the game that it would cap a magnificent season to win the cup and we were all really focused. However, it was Lothian who settled first and were generally more composed for the opening 15 minutes.
"We then got it together and my goal certainly helped. Michael [Hazeldine] gave me a pass in midfield and after a one-two I continued my run and received a perfectly weighted pass back from Michael. I then managed to put the ball low into the corner and it was a particularly good feeling to score and it calmed the nerves of the whole team.
"Andy then scored so that proved to be a crucial five minute spell for us and we went in at half-time pleased although we knew that we had to remain disciplined and concentrate in the second half. Our goalkeeper, Scott Bennett, was faultless and I was confident that he would save the penalty. When he did I knew that we would win the cup.
"We are all so pleased for everyone connected with the club but especially our coach Dougie Samuel and I just hope that similar achievements take place in the coming seasons."
This was the first time that the students had lifted the King Cup since season 1976-77 and head coach Samuel was a particularly happy man. "Lothian settled better than us but once we did manage to get the ball down, passed it and drove at their defenders, I thought that we started to dominate.
"We played some really good football, linked up well and were always dangerous.
"The first goal itself was fit enough to win any cup final. It was well constructed by both Michael and Jamie before Jamie had a controlled finish.
He has worked hard at his game and has added goals which have made him a top central midfield player.
"The goal gave us impetus and confidence and we really caught fire for the next 25 minutes. Lothian will look back on some missed opportunities although to be leading 2-0 at half-time was not unreasonable.
Lothian came at us in the second half but our goalkeeper and back four were magnificent. We played the second half more in a containing fashion and our passing was slightly of which meant that Lothian put us under pressure. We sat in a little although generally I was delighted with our opening play.
"Scott Bennett deserved a clean sheet and his penalty save was superb because if that had gone in it could have been a nervy finish. I knew then that it was our day and the win has turned a very good season into a great season. These boys are definitely University greats and that will never be taken away from them.
That group of players will never play together again.
"We started our season with an away game at Selkirk, we beat Selkirk in the first round and now we have won the cup in Selkirk. I felt that it was in our destiny to win the King Cup.
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Meanwhile the disappointed Lothian Thistle joint manager, Tam Shields, said: "It was not meant to be. I cannot praise my players high enough as some had to play with knocks when they would not normally have played.
"We had chances but could not score and Edinburgh University had a 20 minute spell when they scored twice but other than that I felt we were in control.
However, the bottom line is that you cannot expect to win games when you miss gilt-edged chances.
"I was disappointed at losing the two goals which I felt was down to a lack of concentration. We were beaten by the more clinical team.
We are a young side with an average age of just 22 so we will pick the lads up and look forward to next season." The students' King Cup win has brought the curtain down on the entire East of Scotland League season.
Referee: G Chambers.
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