The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dundonald’s title hopes dented as Rose go nap
Kay laments second half collapse against fellow challengers in sub-par away day
Dundonald Bluebell’s title hopes were dealt a severe blow after going down 5-2 away to fellow challengers Linlithgow Rose.
At the end a tight first half, the Fifers found themselves undeservedly trailing to a Tommy Coyne spot-kick after 40 minutes.
A spate of quick-fire goals ensued in the second half. Gary Thom doubled Rose’s lead before Archie Campbell pulled one back. Robert Sloan scored direct from a corner then Roddy Maclennan made it 4-1. Campbell counted again for the visitors before Coyne completed the scoring.
The three points hoisted the Prestonfield side up to within a point of the fourth-placed visitors, but with three games in hand.
Disappointed Bluebell boss Stevie Kay said, “I thought we were the better team in the first half.
“We took the game to them because they have been losing goals recently, but I didn’t see us losing five.”
Broughty Athletic defeated lowly Kennoway Star Hearts 4-2 to give Jamie Mccunnie a winning start as permanent manager.
However, the fact the Fed’s man-ofthe-match, played in horrible conditions, was goalkeeper Chris Mcpherson is indicative of this being a much closer game then the score suggests.
Full marks go to the Fed for digging out a victory by getting their goals at crucial times against the Fifers who deserved better.
Goals from Chris Liversedge and a Jamie Winter penalty before the break seemed to put the hosts in the driving seat. But early in the second period, Matthew Gay pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Brian Clark restored Broughty’s twogoal advantage, but Gay’s second reduced the leeway with a Jordan Garden strike ensuring the points stayed at Whitton Park.
At a sodden strathmore park, penicuik narrowly defeated bottom side Forfar West End to go to the top of the table. But on the evidence of this hard-fought encounter, which only produced one goal, it was hard to believe the length of the table separated the two sides.
The goal that won it after 58 minutes was a beauty though, with Andy Forbes’ terrific 30-yard strike finding the top corner.
Both sides finished the game with 10 men after Ross Mcdonald of West End and Penicuik’s Jack Hamilton saw red.
With four regulars missing, Jeanfield Swifts found it hard going at Beechwood Park with Sauchie hitting them for six without reply. Only trailing to a Connor Kelly strike at the interval, the same player doubled the hosts’ lead early in the second half. Further goals followed from William Wells, Alan Comrie, Brain Morgan and Dave Morrison
Meanwhile, Lochee United’s match with Broxburn was postponed. George Shields’ side play Beith Juniors in the Scottish Cup next week.
GA Engineering Cup Carnoustie conquered the weather and Longside with a second victory of the season at Davidson Park to set up a quarter-final tie at home to Jeanfield Swifts.
Adapting well to the driving rain and strong wind, the Gowfers deservedly took the lead on 18 minutes through Ryan Roche, who celebrated his return after 10 injury-stricken months by rifling the ball into the top corner from 30 yards.
Having gone in a goal up at the break, Alan Mcskimming’s men doubled their advantage within 60 seconds of the restart through Steven Cook.
Longside pulled a goal back on 53 minutes but couldn’t capitalise on the goal, with the visitors spurning several chances to extend their lead until Pat Martin made sure 12 minutes from time.
That sets up the Gowfers for next week’s glamour Scottish Cup tie with Auchinleck Talbot