Rose out but not down after defeats
Bo’ness United ......... 2 Linlithgow Rose ...... 0 Linlithgow Rose suffered a pair of two-goal defeats in the space of three days.
But, while they were dumped out of the Fife and Lothian Cup at the quarterfinal stage by local rivals Bo’ness United on Monday evening, results elsewhere made a 2-0 home loss in the Superleague to Kelty Hearts irrelevant as they ensured their top flight status in what has been a challenging season.
Things could be looking up for the Prestonfield men, however, after they appointed Mark Bradley as manager following Monday’s defeat.
Bradley enjoyed unprecedented success at the helm for Linlithgow before resigning in March 2014, having previously played for the club for several seasons.
The visitors gave as good as they got in a keenly fought first half at Newtown Park, with both sides passing up great opportunities to take the lead.
Fraser Keast prodded wide with the game’s first chance before United defender Stuart Hunter kept the game scoreless by flinging himself into the path of a Robbie McNab strike, while Andrew Murphy produced decent saves to prevent Connor Kelly and Tommy Coyne in quick succession.
Colin Strickland fired narrowly over on the stroke of half-time as the Bo’ness striker looked to score against his former team.
After the break, though, the hosts were by far the better side and, after a heavy downpour and fierce winds subsided, took the lead just shy of the 60 minute mark in stunning fashion.
Ross Philp took control of possession before charging forward and fizzing an effort home from 30 yards.
Despite United now being in control of the contest, Linlithgow were still within touching distance and almost got back on level terms when Kelly clipped the woodwork. Marty Wright thought he had netted a second goal for Bo’ness, but he was flagged for offside.
The second goal did eventually come, though, with six minutes remaining as Hunter headed home Robert Sloan’s free-kick to wrap up the tie.
Linlithgow’s loss means a third straight season without a trophy for the Rose.
Broxburn Athletic await Bo’ness in the semi final this weekend with Max Christie’s men hoping to cause an upset and book a spot in the final against the winner of the tie involving relegated Musselburgh Athletic and Premier League outfit Tranent.