AS STARTERS for 10 go, this famous victory for Edinburgh University takes some beating. Even within the context of the rich history of the Scottish Cup, the students’ 2-1 triumph over Keith makes a notable mark, not least for the club itself, whose only other win in the competition came 106 years ago. Even Bamber Gascoigne would surely have grown weary at such a long intermission in the varsity side managing to hit the buzzer.

It may have been against the odds, but this result was no freak, nor the product of siege-like defending. The students were meticulously prepared, their football brains matching their academic aspirations. Their matchwinner, the two-goal Mike Hazeldine, is a clear case in point. Reading medicine, he can also boast a spell on Wigan’s books on his cv. His two first-half strikes swung this tie decisively in his side’s favour and not even a mild tremor in the wake of a Keith goal after the interval could dislodge them from their ascendancy.

Even reaching this stage of the Cup was a significant milestone for the university. It was 33 years since they had made the first round, getting to Hampden but losing on a Monday afternoon to Queen’s Park during the gloom of the three-day week. It was clear that nostalgia for the boys of ’73 was heavy in the air as Peffermill’s portable PA system pumped out a string of hits from the era of extended sideburns and bell bottoms. It will surely be the first and last time that Bob Dylan will feature on the playlist before a Scottish Cup tie this season.

No big occasion would be complete without a mascot and the university quickly swooped into the transfer market to sign up “Burgh Bear”. His repertoire was somewhat limited but, in offering to take a refreshments order from the crowd, he showed originality. At the end, he literally lost his head as he jumped in gleeful celebration.

Their opponents were strong favourites, having a decent Scottish Cup pedigree and currently being handily placed in the Highland League. Yet it was surely more than coincidence that Dougie Samuel, the home manager, used to be part of the Spartans coaching set-up. The blueprint that has served the East of Scotland league giantkillers was certainly mirrored here.

Keith were at times blown away by the sheer energy of the students’ play, combined with their tenacity in the tackle. They raced to a 2-0 advantage through their pacy forward line, Andrew Howat’s bravery setting up Hazeldine for the first of his double, a sliding shot. The second was even better, the striker lobbing an opponent and delivering a clinical finish. His day might have been rounded off with a hat -trick but his delicately-weighted chip in the final minute was denied by a goalline clearance. Only for a short spell did the students look to be on the rack as Keith drew inspiration from Stuart Walker’s strike, but they weathered the storm and finished the stronger side.

Next it’s Cowdenbeath in the second round. And just who did the university beat for their only other Scottish Cup victory, back in 1890? As anyone with honours in history will tell you, the Blue Brazil.

Star man: George Nikolaidis (Edinburgh University)

Player ratings. Edinburgh University: Bennett 7, Fraser 6, Thompson 7, Cathcart 6 (Beesley 89min, 5), Hair 7 (Munro 85min, 6), Redman 6, Irvine 7 (Maxwell 75min, 6), Nikolaidis 8, Cook 7, Hazeldine 7, Howard 7

Keith: Shearer 6, Watt 5, Robertson 6, Nicol 6, Lonie 5, McAllister 5 (Walker 43min, 6), McKay 7, Still 7, Donaldson 6, Keith 6 (Craig 73min, 5), Lennox 5 (O’Driscoll 57min, 5)

Scorers: Edinburgh University: Hazeldine 7, 29

Keith: Walker 58

Booked: Redman 74, Robertson 90

Referee: J McKendrick

Attendance: 1,000

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