Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Birse treble earns Bluebells victory
A SECOND-HALF hat-trick from Connor Birse earned Lochee United three points in a hard-fought Super League tussle at Hill of Beath.
The Bluebells dominated the early exchanges but found themselves behind after 20 minutes when the Haws had a shot cleared off the line but it broke kindly for Aaron Hay who drove the ball past Mark Stewart.
Haws now had their tails up but couldn’t add to their tally in the remainder of the first half.
Lochee came out with all guns blazing in the second half and, within four minutes, they had equalised then taken the lead.
Birse levelled in the first minute of the second 45 with a header, then, three minutes later, he guided a shot home from 12 yards.
The hosts weren’t finished, however, and, with 15 minutes left, the ball was headed on to Danny Watt and he lashed in the equaliser.
Birse had a claim for a penalty turned down but he made sure the points would be heading to Thomson Park when he nodded in the winner with seven minutes to go from a Scott McComiskie cross to complete his hat-trick.
Carnoustie won the bragging rights in the local derby at Whitton Park with a 2-0 victory over Broughty Athletic.
The Gowfers started the game brightly but home keeper John Sinclair was in top form and kept his side in the game until a minute from half-time when the deadlock was broken.
A cross from Stephen Cook was swept in at the far post by Ryan Dignan to give the Gowfers a deserved interval lead.
Alan McSkimming’s side then extended their advantage on the hour mark. The ball was cleared off the Broughty line from a corner but only as far as Jamie McCabe and he rifled a shot into the net.
The Fed did try to fight back but never seriously troubled Alan Cormack and the visitors comfortably held out to take the points.
Jeanfield found leaders Bonnyrigg in uncompromising mood as they were hit for six without reply at New Dundas Park.