SIX-GUN SALUTE
Hoose & Burnie serve up a thriller
Whitburn ................ 3 Fauldhouse Utd ...... 3
Both Whitburn and Fauldhouse United claimed their first point of the season in an entertaining six-goal draw at Central Park.
West Lothian’s top two Junior sides met in an early season Superleague derby clash after both were coming off opening day defeats.
United had the better of the play in the early stages but had to wait until the 28th minute before opening their account as a Sean McManus freekick looped over Burnie goalkeeper Daniel Russell.
However, that sparked the home side into action as Gary Brass saw his free-kick tipped round the post before Andy Thomson latched on to a cheeky back-heel through ball and fired across United stopper Mark Quinn and into the far corner for the equaliser.
Two goals in quick succession in the early stages of the second half saw the Burnie take the lead for the first time before being pegged back.
Brass pounced on a defensive error to slam the hosts in front from close range but United levelled on 50 minutes when Jack Currie rose the highest in a congested penalty area to head home.
The striker then squandered a great opportunity for a second but Russell pulled off a stunning save from six yards out to keep the scores level.
Whitburn took the lead for a second time when Reece Boyle escaped his marker from a free- kick and gave Quinn no chance with a header.
However, there was another twist in the derby clash as the Hoose would ensure they made the short trip home with a share of the spoils.
Veteran striker Darren Gribben saw his volley from the edge of the box deflected by a Burnie defender and beyond the helpless Russell with 12 minutes left on the clock.
Neither outfit was able to find a decisive fourth in the closing stages.
United boss Jon Connolly admitted he was less than pleased with his side’s display – but was keen to heap praise on the hosts.
He said: “I’m far from pleased with our performance to be honest.
“We had a game plan and stuck to it for 35 minutes and it worked. Then for some reason we started playing long balls and it didn’t work.
“That’s not how I wanted the team to play because it doesn’t suit us so it was really a frustrating afternoon.”
He added: “I spoke to the boys before the game and told them that they needed to be at their best for 90 minutes instead of doing it in parts here and there.
“The goals we scored were very good but at the other end, the ones we conceded were so disappointing.
“But there were two teams on the pitch and you have to give credit to Whitburn for the way they played because they showed they are a decent side.
“I’ve heard plenty from folk thinking they’d be the whipping boys of the division but they’ll be far from that.”
United travel to Glenrothes at the weekend aiming to pick up their first win of the campaign and the gaffer knows it won’t be an easy task.
He said: “Glenrothes are a well organised team and they’ll be tough to break down but we’re going for the three points and it’s imperative that we get them.
“I’m not in this league just to say we’re in the Superleague, I want to have a right go at it and see what happens.”
The Burnie also have a trip north when they tackle Thornton Hibs who have yet to find the net this term.