Fed see off managerless Scone to close gap at top

JUNIORS: Broughty edge nearer to Carnoustie as game beats Storm Dennis

Like all the other leagues outside the SPFL, the East Region Juniors fixture list was decimated by the weather on Saturday, with just three games taking place, all on 3G surfaces.

It did look like four games until Carnoustie Panmure’s game against North End was called off just 15 minutes before kick-off.

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The only game to survive in the north of the region was at Broughty Athletic’s Whitton Park, where they played host to managerless Scone Thistle for the second week running.

Last week when the sides met in the Thorntons Property Cup, Broughty dished out a 10-0 thrashing to the Perth side and during the week manager Sean Whitworth, who had taken over from Derek Lawson, decided it was time for him to relinquish his position.

The hosts knew that with the other games all postponed, three points would see them draw a little closer to leaders Carnoustie at the top of the table.

Josh Skelly returned to the bench after a lengthy period out through injury but

Ryan Ferguson and Derryn Kesson both missed out.

Broughty took control early on in blustery conditions and Brad Smith, Marc Scott and Ross Mccord all saw efforts saved by Gavin Sorley in the Scone goal.

The home side had further chances to take the lead but the deadlock was finally broken just after the half-hour.

Stuart Mcconnachie’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by Sorley but as the Thistle keeper was preparing to clear the ball, the referee spotted an infringement and awarded a free-kick just inside the box.

Bryan Duell curled the kick around the wall and beyond Sorley into the bottom corner to put Broughty in front.

Daryl Mckenzie looked to have made it 2-0 shortly after but his effort was saved on the line and right on half-time Duell saw a volley go inches over the bar.

The second half was much the same as the first as the home side had numerous chances to increase their advantage but it was not until the 62nd minute that Mcconnachie seized on a lose ball to make it 2-0.

Then just three minutes later Mcconnachie turned provider for Duell to score his second and Broughty’s third from a narrow angle.

With the game won, Broughty introduced Skelly with an eye on next weekend’s Scottish Junior Cup quarterfinal at home to Darvel but, sadly for the striker, his return lasted just 10 minutes before he had to go off with what looked like a recurrence of the thigh injury he sustained against Carnoustie last month.

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Newburgh drew level on points with second-placed Stoneyburn in the Premier League South, though they have played five more games, after coming from behind twice before beating Bo’ness United 3-2 at Newtown Park.

Veteran striker Darren Gribben put Bo’ness in front on the half-hour but Jack Hutchison levelled for Scott Hudson’s side within 60 seconds.

David Melvin then restored the home side’s lead on 37 minutes and Newburgh went in at half-time training 2-1.

Within five minutes of the restart Harry Galloway scored a second Burgh equaliser but despite having the better of the play the visitors could not find a winner until Jamie Gay found the net on 89 minutes.