YFS
Robbie Peffers netted a hat-trick as Portobello racked up nine against fellow division one high-flyers West Lothian FC at Portobello High School.
The result sees them into the last four of the Stewart Brien Cup, where they will play whoever is victorious between Longniddry Villa and Currie Star FC.
The hosts were dominant from the first whistle onwards, and their pressing from the front was key to this. West Lothian made their best attempt to play out of it but throughout the first half they struggled to get out and up the other end of the park.
It set a tone for the way the game was going to be played. Taylor Hamill went close to scoring as he slid in at the back post, only for his effort to come back off the foot of the post. It was only a matter of time.
Their pressure was made to count just moments later. Alfie Smith danced into the area, and although his shot was blocked, it fell perfectly to Peffers who pounced from a few yards out to open the scoring.
Portobello’s wide men were influential in the outcome of the game and the width they provided caused all kinds of problems for the visitors. Whilst Hamill got himself into goalscoring positions on the right, Reynolds had a field day getting beyond his man and to the byline down the left.
They also had the creative Josh Crolla in the heart of midfield. He might have been the tallest player on the park, but midfielder showed a classy range of passing and netted a superb second for his side on 19 minutes from outside the box, leaving goalkeeper Noah Young helpless.
West Lothian looked to have held out until half time with the deficit at just two. That was until Smith stepped up to hit a free kick from well outside the area in the final minute of the half. He had no right to score, but the strike was of the highest order, giving Young no chance once again. The game had a different feel now going into the break; the visitors with a mountain to climb.