East Lothian Courier | Sport | Juniors round-up

Thursday, 28th August, 2008

Published: Thursday, 14th February, 2008 09:00

Juniors round-up

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AFTER weeks of rain-sodden pitches and postponments, East Lothian’s junior football fans enjoyed something of a goal feast last Saturday.

Musselburgh reached the last 16 of the Scottish Junior Cup for the second successive season, knocking out Kirkintilloch Rob Roy on their home turf after a penalty shoot-out.

Dunbar won through to the quarter-finals of the Fife & Lothians Cup with a win by the odd goal in five at home to Blackburn United.

While, in the South Division, Haddington Athletic came from two goals down to beat Edinburgh United at Millfield.

Tranent Juniors were ahead at half-time at Livingston United, but defensive lapses were punished and they eventually lost 5-3. The Foresters Park club were shocked after the game when manager Stevie McLeish tendered his resignation, having accepted the offer of a full-time post with Hibs.

There’s no let up for Musselburgh tomorrow (Saturday) as they travel to Ayrshire for their Scottish Junior Cup fifth round tie with Glenafton Athletic.

Haddington are at home again, Blackburn United their opponents, while Dunbar and Tranent travel west to face Harthill Royal and West Calder United respectively.

Kick off times move back to 2.15 pm.

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2

Musselburgh Athletic 2

KEEPER Ronnie McPherson was the hero as his two excellent saves during a tense penalty shoot-out helped Musselburgh progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Junior Cup for the second successive year.

Musselburgh thought they had taken an early lead after only three minutes when Ross Barnes put the ball in the net, but the referee ruled that he had used a hand and the goal was disallowed and the Burgh striker was yellow carded for his efforts.

Just after the half-hour mark, Musselburgh took the lead when Paul Tansey picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward, before firing a clinical, shot low past the ‘keeper from the edge of the area.

Within a few minutes, though, the home side were level when Vaugh despatched the ball beyond McPherson from close range.

Five minutes after the interval, Rob Roy went ahead when their skipper Carberry headed home a cross from eight yards out.

Mussselburgh equalised on 70 minutes when captain Wes Mitchell rose at the back post to head home from a free-kick from Chris King.

Paul Tansey had a great chance late on to clinch victory, when he was put through, but his shot took a deflection and the tie ended all square.

In the penalty shoot-out, ‘keeper Ronnie McPherson was the Musselburgh hero when he saved two spot-kicks.

After Mitchell, Chris King and Martin Murphy had converted their penalties, it was left to Paul Currie to step up and score the decisive spot-kick and send his side through to the next round.

Dunbar United 3

Blackburn United 2

JOCK LANDELLS made four changes to the Dunbar starting 11, with ex-Haddington defender Ross Blair in the side after two trialist appearances in the league.

Gary Peters and Steven Girdwood were missing, while Stevie Rixon was suspended.

The opening goal came after 32 minutes and it was one of the best witnessed at New Countess Park this season.

McDonald’s cross from the right found Adam Cheetham in the box and, with his back to goal, the striker flicked the ball up into the air before turning to fire a terrific volley just under the bar.

Five minutes before half-time, Blackburn equalised through Drummond, who struck with a low shot from the edge of the box after the home defence failed to clear.

Within three minutes the Seasiders were back in front, Grant claiming his second goal in three games with a well struck free-kick after McDonald was fouled.

The visitors equalised five minutes later when Brown, after showing great skill to weave his way through the home defence, beat Ferrier with an excellent shot from a tight angle.

With everything still to play for, Dunbar netted with 15 minutes to go.

Sneddon cleared a McDonald shot off the line. But from the resultant corner Blair headed his first goal for the club.

Haddington Athletic 3

Edinburgh United 2

THE HI HI finally saw their first action of the year last Saturday when Edinburgh United visited Millfield in a South Division fixture.

United took the lead midway through the first half when a corner wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and Campbell swept the ball through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

Within two minutes of the restart, a tentative shot from Elliot took a wild deflection off skipper Michael Motion and looped high over Hill and into the net to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

Just before the hour mark, the Hi Hi pulled one back after a great finish from the deadly Rusin.

Six minutes later, United were down to 10 men when Elliot collected a second booking for diving.

Campbell followed his team-mate into the dressing rooms 10 minutes later, also for a second booking, and with 20 minutes remaining the Hi Hi drew level, Derek Slight showing good composure to strike from eight yards.

The winner came six minutes later when sub Andy Malone hit a terrific shot from outside the box which came down off the underside of the crossbar, and Lloyd Richardson was first on the scene to drive the ball into the net.

Livingston United 5

Tranent Juniors 3

THE game began brightly for Tranent, with Auld putting them in front after only three minutes.

A second goal from the big forward on 16 minutes boosted Tranent hopes further.

However, some slack defending allowed United’s Tony Fleming to reduce the deficit midway through the first half.

But within three minutes, Joe Murray’s eighth goal of the season restored Tranent’s two-goal advantage.

Defensive shortcomings were in evidence again, though, when Tony Fleming claimed his second goal for the hosts a few minutes before the break.

The second half was one to forget for Tranent as the hosts turned the screw and played some good football in their quest to move towards mid-table safety.

Thomson levelled after 51 minutes, and Brian Fleming gave Livingston the lead on the hour.

A second goal for Thomson made sure of all three points two minutes from time, and left Tranent to rue having twice surrendered a two-goal advantage.

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