Fantastic win sees Albert climb the table
Nesbitt’s men up to third after defeating Dunipace
Royal Albert won 4-0 at Dunipace’s new modern pitch to claim third place in the Central Second Division.
They now sit one point behind second placed St Anthony’s and leaders Gartcairn, but with a game in hand over Ants, the latter of whom they host at Craighead Park, Lesmahagow, on Saturday.
Manager Jamie Nesbitt said: “We played really well, were ahead 2-0 after 10 minutes, then 3-0 at half-time. Dunipace started to come into the game but we held out quite comfortably.
“I told them at half-time that we needed to keep weathering the storm.
“They have amassed our points tally for last season with 10 games to go, so we have a target to aim for, and keep.”
Ross Mcgeachie, who is on loan from Wishaw, hit the opener, with Alan Campbell and Fraser Stobie taking the half-time score to 3-0. Mcgeachie added the fourth. In the only other Central Division game played, Forth Wanderers lost 4-3 to Rossvale in the Central First Division, having agreed to switch the venue with Kingshill Park still unplayable.
Warren Grenfell headed in a Willie Mclaren cross to put Forth in front in 15 minutes, but Liam Mcgonigle equalised in 33 minutes.
Liam Crichton sent Mcgonigle chasing a through ball down the right in 57 minutes and he slipped in Stephen Mcgladrigan to chip David Cherrie from eight yards.
Mclaren fired the ball high past keeper Jamie Donnelly and into the net to level, but when Crichton was fouled in the box Rossvale were awarded a penalty in 61 minutes.
Although David Cherrie parried Jamie Hunter’s spot-kick, Mcgladrigan pounced to smash the rebound into the net.
Rossvale made sure of the points in 73 minutes when Matt Niven headed past Cherrie, although Barry Mcgeechan scored in the last minute to pull the score back to 4-3.
Manager Jamie Mckenzie said: “It was disappointing. We lost a couple of silly goals and couldn’t cash in at the other end.”
Defeat leaves Forth in the relegation zone alongside Lesmahagow and Thorniewood United.
Thorniewood have received 14 applications for the management team after Gerry Bonham and Stewart Easton quit following the Scottish Cup KO against East Kilbride Thistle.
Club secretary Ian Mclaughlin said: “We are working on drawing up a shortleet, but there are four or five good-looking prospects.”
Captain Graham Watson, who is injured, was prepared to take on dug-out duties on Saturday, had their game against Benburb gone ahead.
We played really well ... I told them at half-time that we needed to keep weathering the storm