The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Blairgowrie’s run ended by Shipbuilders
East Craigie brought North League leaders Blairgowrie’s undefeated run to an end with a 3-1 win at Craigie Park to maintain their promotion hopes.
Liam McCartney gave the Shipbuilders the lead after two minutes, but Blair replied through Paul Maloney eight minutes later.
Graeme McLeish regained the lead for the hosts before the break.
Craigie were reduced to 10 men with James Malone’s dismissal in conceding a penalty, but Liam Dunn saved Stephen Findlay’s retaken spot-kick.
McCartney’s second of the match five minutes from time sealed an important victory for the home side.
The surprise of Kirrie Thistle’s 6-1 win over Thornton Hibs in their clash at Westview was the margin of victory.
Hibs started well enough, but, after 24 minutes, fell behind to a bizarre goal when Gary Archibald’s free-kick from inside his own half found the net.
Darren Scott then doubled his side’s lead after some shambolic defending and further goals from Ryan Strachan and Bryan Duell meant it was effectively game over at the break.
Hibs’ bright start to the second half saw Garry Thomson pull one back, but the Fifers then had Daniel McNab and Ian Hepburn dismissed for second cautions and, as a result, Duell went on to complete his hat-trick.
A Dale Robertson hat-trick earned North End three points at Coupar Angus. The Dokens led 2-1 at the break with Alex Gibb getting the home side’s goal, but Reid’s second half counter sealed the victory.
Scone stayed sixth after a comfortable 4-0 win at bottom club Lochore Welfare.
The Jags dominated almost throughout. Stephen Moon and Abi Njie were on target in the first half and Kevin Sinclair and Njie again scored after the break.
In-form Newburgh turned on the style with a thumping 6-1 victory away to Brechin Vics.
Having fallen behind, doubles from Gavin Thomson and Steven Harris, plus singles from Dillan Duddy and Scott Finlay, earned them a second successive emphatic victory.
Despite being down to 10 men for all bar 20 minutes, Lochee Harp were deserved 2-0 winners at Forfar Albion.
Mark Kelly was the man to get his marching orders. Goals from Tom McConnachie and Paul Moran capped an excellent performance.
In the South League, the bottom line for Lochgelly Albert was getting the three points from the visit of Craigroyston that keeps them in second place.
Not at their best in the first half, they trailed 2-1 at the break, but fought back to win 3-2.
The Berts’ marksmen were Scott Gibson and Martin Rennie, who would have had a hat-trick had he not missed a penalty.
Marring their win was left-back Fraser Sutherland being taking to hospital in an ambulance.
Oakley United made hard work of overcoming visitors Livingston United and were a bit fortunate to win 3-2.
They went in two goals to the good at the break after Lee Celentano and Kevin Gollan were on target.
A soft penalty on the hour mark brought the visitors back into the game, but then, against the run of play, Celentano restored the Fifers’ two-goal lead.
The hosts then missed chances to put the game to bed and had to endure a nervy last 10 minutes after Josh Wilson put through his own goal.
Crossgates Primrose made visitors Easthouses Lily fight all the way for their 2-1 victory.
A Gary Shearer double gave the Lothian side a cushion. Liam Forbes pulled one back with 15 minutes left but, despite their best efforts, Primrose couldn’t manage an equaliser.
A second-half collapse against 10 men consigned Kirkcaldy YM to a 5-2 defeat at West Calder United.
Todd Arthur gave the Fifers the lead but two Steven Fyffe goals, the second after the home side had a man sent off, saw YM trail at the break.
Although Calum Geddes equalised just after the interval, YM imploded and a David Love double and a Greg Nicol counter won it for the hosts.
In the North Region, Montrose Roselea’s 4-0 win over Newmachar United saw them leapfrog their visitors into fifth place in the First Division East.
Stephen Greig hit a hat-trick and Mike Cruickshank scored the other.