SCOREBOARD CUP RUN
Whitburn find cup tie frustrating
Peter Stewart Whitburn bowed out of the Fife and Lothians Cup after they were frustrated and outfought by Kennoway Star Hearts in a contest that exploded in drama in the closing stages.
While other games fell victim to the weather, Central Park comfortably passed a pitch inspection and the surface looked in ideal condition.
The early warning signs were there for Whitburn as Kennoway created pressure through smooth passing moves. They hardly looked like the East Superleague’s bottom side.
And they took a deserved lead after 10 minutes with captain Nathan Doig powering in a header from a Craig Johnstone corner.
Whitburn nearly levelled three minutes later, but Reece Duncan’s teasing ball was just a couple of yards ahead of the waiting Darren Liddell.
The first hints of frustration appeared as Iain Griffin went into the book for a reckless challenge on Hearts forward James Collins. The resulting free-kick from Johnstone led to an effort being cleared off the line with Russell beaten.
Whitburn appeared to gain a foothold in the contest as they created the better chances in the remainder of the half. Martin Russell narrowly headed over from a corner, before Liddell squandered what would prove a fatal opportunity.
JJ Henderson sent in a floated cross, and when it seemed harder to miss, the ball bounced off Liddell’s shoulder and agonisingly over from two yards out.
Kennoway continued to threaten at the other end, Collins neatly playing in Scott Young, but Russell made a smart stop.
Both sides lacked creativity for the rest of the half, but another gilt-edged edge fell Whitburn and Liddell’s way a minute before the break.