Tight games in full league show

The Forth and Endrick League managed to stage a full programme of six matches at the weekend for the first time since last July, with five of the games tight affairs.

Friday night’s tussle between Thornhill and Kippen was well fought, with both defences playing well to cut down scoring chances.

After a scoreless first quarter, Sean Browning bagged Kippen’s first goal of the season but Thornhill equalised before half-time for a share of the points.

Buchlyvie surrendered their early top spot in the table when Fintry held them to a rare 0-0 draw on Saturday, only the fourth in the F&E in the last six seasons.

Killearn travelled to Gargunnock and took full points to go to the top on goal difference.

Alistair Moore gave the visitors a half-time lead, but in a spirited second half Gargunnock drew level and the game might have gone either way.

But with less than 15 minutes left, home keeper Gary Scholes had an exchange with the referee which resulted in a red card.

Rab Hay took over in goal but Killearn made their extra man count, scoring twice in the closing minutes through a deflected Stewart MacDonald shot and Ally More.

Balfron Rovers moved into second place with a hard earned 2-1 home win in a keenly contested match against Blanefield Thistle.

The first-half was goalless and Balfron broke the deadlock in 59 minutes through Ross MacKenzie.

Ten minutes from time he headed home a second and although Callum Linning scored a late penalty for Blanefield, the home side held on.

In the derby between Gartocharn and Drymen United, neither side were at full strength.

Drymen had the edge for much of the game and goals by Jack Bain and David Fraser made sure of the points in a 2-0 win.

Deanston are still missing a few players and went down 5-1 to Aberfoyle with goals from Alistair Ferguson, Stuart Campbell, Lewis Stevenson. Callum McDougal netted an own goal.