Musselburgh Athletic ventured over the Forth on Saturday for the first time this season hoping they could continue their best ever start to a Superleague campaign, but they knew that Sauchie would be looking to restore some pride after a 7-0 thumping at Bo’ness.

The hosts also had the benefit of key players returning in the shape of one-time World Cup performer Collin Samuel and key striker Darren Cummings, while Burgh were without holidaying striker Jordyn Sheerin, who’d maintained his prolific pre-season strike rate in their opening two fixtures and whose absence was naturally disappointing for manager Davie McGlynn.

Keen observers of Superleague football hold the opinion that both Sauchie and Musselburgh are good footballing units and try to play in a style easy on the eye, but conditions on Saturday were such that neither could display their usual abilities with any confidence. Strong winds swirling around Beechwood Park ruined the game as a spectacle and a playing surface affected by efforts to improve drainage didn’t help either.

Goalscoring chances were scarce throughout as players struggled to get to grips with the conditions, and although they put in plenty of effort it was clear by half-time that it was as much about endurance for participants and spectators alike. Ally Adams in the Musselburgh goal was called upon to make two or three perfunctory saves, while the visitors’ best chance of the first half came shortly before the interval but the home keeper saved well from Lewis Turner.

The second half was no better than the first, with highlights hard to pick out from what Burgh chief McGlynn described as a “horrible” game of football. One very good chance fell their way midway through the second half when Euan Ralton had a shot from eight yards out, just to the right of goal, but he didn’t get as much power on it as he’d have liked and his angled effort was comfortably cleared from the line.

The game’s decisive moment came in the 85th minute when a ball from midfield found Sauchie dangerman Cummings in the clear just outside the penalty area and once into the box he angled his shot past Adams in composed fashion.

That was enough to seal all three points for the hosts, with Musselburgh disappointed not to at least have held out for a point, which would have been entirely satisfactory given conditions.

Back at Olive Bank on Saturday, Burgh entertain bottom-of-the-table Lochee United, yet to win a point. On paper they look to be favourites, but McGlynn has serious selection problems to contend with – three of his players are absent at a music festival, Sheerin’s still on holiday and Michael Hunter sits out the final game of his four-match ban.