Capital clubs take next step on Scottish Sunday Amateur Trophy trail

The highlight of the calendar for Edinburgh's amateur footballers takes place over the next fortnight

A total of 59 Capital sides will contest Scottish Sunday Amateur Trophy second-round ties throughout the east central area of the country, while two local teams, Ryrie's Alba and Elm Edinburgh United, have earned byes into the third round. City clubs from the three local associations - Edinburgh Sunday Amateur FA (ESAFA), Lothian and Edinburgh Sunday Amateur FA (LEAFA), Edinburgh and District Sunday Amateur FA (EADSAFA) - can boast admirable form in recent years, with Slateford side Redhall Star and Duddingston-based Newton Heath among the top performers last year. Two seasons ago, LBC, affiliated to Lochend Boys Club, reached the final of the competition only to be defeated at Livingston's Almondvale Stadium. Charles Gallacher, president of LEAFA, has high hopes for one of his organisation's member clubs - another who acquitted themselves well last year.

He said: "It was our association's first season with a Sunday section last year, and we were delighted with the performance of The Jolly in reaching the last 16. They did particularly well last season and we hope they can repeat that. After a year, hopefully our new members have strengthened and can go far, and I know the ESAFA clubs do quite well in this competition."

Meanwhile, Len Blackie of EADSAFA thinks Capital clubs from all associations will be tough to beat.

"I reckon the Edinburgh teams have a good chance of going far," he said. "There are a couple we're pinning our hopes on, such as Redhall Star, who did so well last year. A lot of our teams like Riverside United, Sporting Chesser and Boca Seniors have got a good chance as they're going well in the league, but obviously the cup is very different."

With the competition still in its formative stages and still taking a regional format, the prospect of long journeys into the unknown is less likely. Edinburgh Thistle's trip to Shotts looks like the furthest any local side is required to travel in this round, however the carrot of a "weekender" further afield awaits the teams who progress.