East Lothian Courier | Sport | Juniors round-up: Hotshot Murray proves point for Belters

Tuesday, 7th October, 2008

Published: Thursday, 31st January, 2008 09:30

Juniors round-up: Hotshot Murray proves point for Belters

Dalkeith Thistle 2, Tranent Juniors 2

TRANENT Juniors were the only county side in action at the weekend thanks to another downpour wiping out most of the scheduled fixtures.

The Belters returned home from Dalkeith with a point following a 2-2 draw with all four goals scored during a frantic 10-minute spell in the second half.

Musselburgh Athletic try again with their Scottish Junior Cup fourth round replay at Kirkintilloch tomorrow (Saturday), while Dunbar United have a Fife & Lothians Cup tie at home to Blackburn United.

Haddington Athletic hope to get back in action after a long lay-off with Edinburgh United scheduled to visit Millfield in the South Division, and Tranent entertain Broxburn Athletic. Kick-off times are 2pm, but Musselburgh have an earlier kick-off at 1.30pm as extra time and penalties may be required.

TRANENT bounced back from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Fauldhouse the previous with a creditable draw at mid-table Dalkeith’s King’s Park.

The Midlothian club were the first to suffer defeat at the new-look Foresters Park back in September, but have enjoyed success in their previous six games despite off-field problems which culminated in a hefty East Region fine.

Tranent boss Stevie McLeish had his selection options limited greatly by the absence of a number of players, and was forced into a number changes to the first team.

Dalkeith had the advantage of playing with the wind behind them in the first half and Tranent were contained in their own half for long spells.

Joe Murray posed the greatest threat in and around the Dalkeith danger area, but he and his team-mates had to be satisfied going in at the break with the scoreline goalless.

The game burst into life with a flurry of goals early in the second half when Tranent took the lead after six minutes. Craig Dilworth sent in a corner to the near post where Kevin Robertson was waiting to knock home from close range.

But the home side responded a minute later when dangerman McBeth struck a sweet shot past Mark Scally in goal for the equaliser.

The game was level for only four minutes before the Belters went in front again when top scorer Murray left his markers for dead with some fancy footwork and slotted the ball home low to Kesson’s left to make it 2-1.

And the scoring burst continued on the hour mark when Scally fumbled a Dalkeith free-kick from just inside the Tranent half which allowed Khosrowpour to pounce and finish from a tight angle.

Neither side were able to carve out any other telling opportunities and the match fizzled out in the final half hour.

MUSSELBURGH

A WATER-LOGGED Adamslie Park forced the postponement of the eagerly-awaited replay between Burgh and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday.

Burgh looked to have secured their last 16 spot in the first meeting a fortnight ago, but two late goals from the West Premier League leaders forced the replay.

Influential playmaker Paul Tansey returns after suspension for Davie McGlynn’s men which is a big boost for the Olive Bank men, and he could be the key to unlocking Rob Roy’s defence in what should be another cracker of a tie that could go all the way to penalties.

DUNBAR

DUNBAR turn their attention to Blackburn United in the Fife & Lothians Cup at New Countess Park tomorrow following the cancellation of their South Division trip to Fauldhouse at the weekend.

After just two games in seven weeks, Dunbar will welcome Blackburn back just a fortnight after the West Lothian side enjoyed a league win there the previous weekend.

HADDINGTON

THE Hi-Hi will hope to dust off the cobwebs following seven weeks without a game against Edinburgh United tomorrow following the cancellation of the match with Blackburn on Saturday.

The Millfield Park outfit did have a bounce game against Penicuik Athletic on Monday evening at their hosts’ new all-weather facility, but the hosts won 3-1 with Kevin Murray scoring for the Hi-Hi.

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