13 clubs join East exodus

Junior clubs jumping ship en masse will see the East of Scotland League treble in size next season.

MailSport can reveal 13 clubs applied to join the sixth tier of the SPFL pyramid after the deadline was extended to last Thursday.

Linlithgow Rose, Dundonald Bluebell, Penicuik and Bo’ness were among the teams to have confirmed over the last week their intention to quit the juniors.

East of Scotland chiefs are expected to back the applications, which would see them set up three divisions of 13 clubs based on where teams finished last season.

The winners would then enter a play-off to be crowned champions and challenge for a spot in the Lowland League.

It is planned that at the end of the 2018-19 campaign the top five from each division would form a Premier League with two feeder leagues.

Twelve junior clubs had already been accepted into the EoS after applying by the end of March.

Greenock....................... 1 Wishaw.......................... 0

Andrew Skinner did his chances of a deal no harm as the Greenock trialist earned a final-day win.

Kevin Barry Grant almost put Wishaw ahead late on with a drive that flashed wide.

But Andy McEwan released the trialist moments later and he curled past Sandy Thomson.

Carnoustie .................... 2 Bo’ness .......................... 1

Bo’ness’ farewell before quitting for the East of Scotland League was spoiled in injury time.

Panmure led thanks to Sam Simpson’s early penalty but Nicky Prentice levelled in 74 minutes.

Darren Cooper fired in the winner for the Gowfers a minute into added time though.

Forfar WE ...................... 0 Linlithgow ..................... 4

Linlithgow ended their junior days with a rout for the Rose fans.

Blair Batchelor fired them into the lead four minutes in.

Gary Thom slotted in a second in 48 minutes and top scorer Tommy Coyne made it three in 83 minutes. Two minutes later Alan Urquhart completed the rout.

Fauldhouse ................... 0 Tayport .......................... 4

Dayle Robertson bagged a sevenminute double as Tayport signed their campaign off in style.

Alan Tulleth netted 20 minutes in before sliding Fraser Anderson in for a second in 57 minutes.

Robertson drilled home in 70 minutes then tapped in following a goalkeeping howler.