On fire Burnie ease to a gr-eight victory
Whitburn show they’re a class act against uni team
Whitburn produced a clinical display as they knocked eight past Stirling University without reply to keep up the pace at the top of the East of Scotland Second Division.
Aiming for back-to-back titles in their first two seasons in the senior game, the Burnie continued their relentless form as they eased to the three points at Central Park.
Darren Wilson’s side scored early and often as they opened their account on six minutes thanks to Darren Liddell firing home from the edge of the box.
It was all one-way traffic but they had to wait until just after the half-hour mark to add to their lead, with Louis Maguire turning the ball home before Andy Thomson collected the ball on the halfway line and charged at goal and fired beyond Euan Dallaa to make it three at the break.
They would add five more after the interval, with Ross Crawford’s volley being added to by Liddell on 64 minutes before a rare quintuple substitution – with three of the subs being able to find themselves on the scoresheet.
Andy Johnstone, Harrison Edwards and Jack Henderson all netted as the hosts notched up an emphatic win.
The league tables have been altered with the news that Syngenta have dropped out, with all results against them being declared null and void.
That took a loss off the board for the Burnie and means they head into the weekend fixtures with a four-point lead, and a game in hand, over second-placed St Andrews United.
Elsewhere, Blackburn United and Linlithgow Rose both saw away games called off due to the weather, while Broxburn Athletic got back to winning ways with a surprising 4-0 away win over Musselburgh Athletic.
The Brox have struggled for form since the arrival of Steve Pittman, but a brilliant display under the Saturday night lights could prove something of a turning point.
Jordan Wright got the ball rolling with a fine header before Errol Douglas took his tally to six goals in as many games as he struck either side of half-time.
Former Whitburn striker Gary Brass completed the scoring and provided a bit more breathing space in the table for
the Albyn Park side.
In the Third Division, their were derby wins for Pumpherston and Bathgate Thistle, while Armadale Thistle and West Calder United shared the spoils at Volunteer Park.
Andy Murphy saved a penalty for the Dale, with JJ Henderson bagging the hosts’ goal only for Andy Jackson to level things up.
Pumphy’s fine season continued with a 4-1 win over Harthill Royal with a Campbell Anthony double being added to by Owen Main and a Chris Rooney penalty for Darren Pegg’s side, while Bathgate won 1-0 at stuttering Stoneyburn. The Fulshie were also handed a 9-0 midweek East of Scotland Qualifying Cup defeat to Spartans.
Livingston United’s poor run continued with an 8-0 loss at leaders Bo’ness Athletic, while Fauldhouse United were edged out 3-1 away to Edinburgh College.