Burnie are On fire
Quick-fire second-half double sees Whitburn claim derby day points at home to Fauldhouse
WHITBURN .................................... 2 FAULDHOUSE UNITED ................ 0
Two goals in the first four minutes of the second half ensured Whitburn took the points in an entertaining affair against Fauldhouse United.
Both sides as well as the Burnie groundstaff deserve huge credit for putting on a pulsating derby clash played in difficult conditions as the Central Park surface felt the impact of recent weather.
Darren Liddell made the most of a defensive error two minutes into the second half to slam home the opener with Grant Hamilton doubling the home side’s lead two minutes later as a free-kick fell into his path before duly finding the net.
That there would be only two goals in this affair was down to a combination of outstanding goalkeeping and wasteful finishing from both sides.
Reece Duncan went close at the near post for the home side before United’s Kieran Kinnard cut in from the right but couldn’t net within the opening five minutes.
Whitburn, who closed the gap on Conference X leaders Bo’ness Athletic to a single point with the win, controlled much of the play but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Dylan Weldon saw his effort saved then deflected over the bar while Louis Maguire rattled the woodwork with a wonderful free-kick from distance before Daniel Tobin did well to push a Duncan effort away from danger.
At the other end, United threatened to open the scoring but Jack Wilsdon produced a tremendous instinctive save to deny Jamie Smith from close range before the striker was then unable to make the most of a defensive error.
A blistering start to the second half saw United waste a chance to get themselves in front - only to then quickly find themselves two down.
Liddell made the most of defensive confusion to fire beyond Tobin before Whitburn almost immediately doubled their lead when Hamilton rifled home at the back post.
Liddell nearly doubled his account on 64 minutes only for Tobin to produce a fine save while Wilsdon ensured there was no fightback from Fauldhouse as he denied the energetic Conor Scullion as the hosts kept their promotion bid very much alive with a hard-earned three points.