Gargunnock go top after great victories

Gargunnock leapfrogged Balfron Rovers into top spot in the Forth and Endrick League following two clinical wins.

Heavy rain on Saturday saw the keenly awaited Margaret White Trophy final at Thornhill between Balfron and Drymen United postponed until tonight (Friday) at Thornhill.

But Gargunnock played 24 hours earlier at Blanefield, registering a 3-0 win in a hard fought match with goals from John Morris, Darren Petrie and Ross Corrie.

Then on Tuesday, they made the short trip to face Kippen and made no mistakes with two goals in each half in a 4-0 win.

Nathan Dinnie from the penalty spot and Ally Petrie were the first-half scorers, while Darren Petrie and Dinnie were their second half marksmen.

Balfron, with games in hand, were at home on Tuesday to Deanston, whose recent impressive scoring record of 33 goals in four games suggested that the reigning champions might have a game on their hands.

But in a one-sided first-half two goals each from Gordon Reid and Ross MacKenzie gave Balfron a 4-0 lead at the interval.

The second half was still entertaining but goals were harder to come by.

The only score came in the 70th minute when pressure from Kevin Meggat among a host of Deanston defenders resulted in the ball hitting the net.

The 5-0 win and two games in hand keeps Balfron well in the hunt for the title.

Gargunnock and Balfron were due to meet in a league match on Saturday but that has been postponed because of the Margaret White Trophy final.

The only other game played on Tuesday was at Killearn where Gartocharn were the visitors.

Fraser Cameron gave Killearn a first-half lead but despite their superiority they were unable to build on that. The welcome three points have now taken them into fourth place, a remarkable improvement on their position only a month ago.

Results: Friday, July 14: League - Blanefield Thistle 0-3 Gargunnock.

Saturday, July 15: Margaret White Trophy final - Balfron Rovers P-P Drymen United. Tom Yuill Shield - Forth Golden Oldies P-P Endrick Might Have Beens. League Aberfoyle Rob Roy P-P Killearn.

Tuesday, July 18: League - Balfron Rovers 5-0 Deanston; Killearn 1-0 Gartocharn; Kippen 0-4 Gargunnock;

Aberfoyle Rob Roy P-P Drymen Utd; Blanefield Thistle P-P Buchlyvie United.

Fixtures: Friday, July 21: Margaret White Trophy final - Balfron Rovers v Drymen United (at Thornhill, kick-off 7pm).

Saturday, July 22: League - Buchlyvie United v Gartocharn; Deanston v Thornhill; Killearn v Kippen.

Tuesday, July 25: League - Blanefield Thistle v Aberfoyle Rob Roy; Buchlyvie United v Balfron Rovers; Deanston v Killearn; Drymen United v Kippen; Gargunnock v Thornhill.