Late goals down Bluebell

And for Bluebell, who could have gone top if they had won, it was a very disappointing day going down to Penicuik, but for Kelty they made it 13 out of 13.

Penicuik Athletic 3,

Dundonald Bluebell 1.

A DISAPPOINTING result for the ‘Bell with two late goals giving the home side victory and perhaps the lack of league action over the past month played its part.

Indeed, Penicuik started the game very aggressively and James Lennox had two good stops inside the opening five minutes.

Bluebell, with Paul Quinn and Lewis McKenzie out, went forward when they could but they struggled to get meaningful shots on target and in 22 minutes went behind.

A penetrating move down the right saw a cross fired low into the Bluebell box and a shot hit a Penicuik forward in front of Lennox and the rebound was fired home. There were claims for off-side but covering defenders had played the front man onside.

Neither side really created a lot after that and at the break only one goal separated the sides.

Dundonald opened the second-half well and they created a couple of good chances and in 53 minutes the home ‘keeper made an excellent stop from Archie Campbell.

But at the other end Lennox made a fine save from a dangerous cross-cum-shot and in 68 minutes the Bluebell were level.

A good move opened up the the Penicuik defence and Campbell burst through and fired an angled shot low into the corner of the net.

Both teams again had their moments and in one raid the ‘Bell could have got a second with a sweeping move down the left but the finish was wild.

Then with just six minutes left came the second Athletic goal. A corner saw a Cuicky attacker get in the box about 15 yards out on the right hand side and his first time shot dipped over Lennox and into the net after taking a deflection.

However, Bluebell came close to a leveller two minutes later when a fierce shot was saved by the home ‘keeper and then with just two minutes to go a break up the Dundonald right saw a fine finish grab the killer third goal.

The result saw Bluebell move down into third spot but manager Stevie Kay felt his team were unlucky not to take anything from the match: “We maybe could have done better at a couple of their goals for we were caught napping and that was maybe due to not having played a league game for so long.

“We created some really good chances and were denied by a great save by the Penicuik ‘keeper just after they regained the lead so to lose to these late goals was tough to take.”

Linlithgow Rose 2,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0.

THIS was a hastily re-arranged East of Scotland Cup-tie after the clubs’ scheduled league games were postponed.

Neither side has seen a lot of action recently, due to the holidays and weather problems, and the opening phase of the tie was a little disjointed with not a lot of good chances at either end.

However, on the half hour Rose took the lead when the hosts were awarded a penalty after an incident in the Haws’ box and this was expertly put away by veteran Linlithgow front man Tommy Coyne, and that was all that separated the sides at the break.

Haws came back at Linlithgow after the interval and both Lewis Elder and Daniel Watt went close for the Keirs Parkers before a Schiavone effort was just off target.

It was anyone’s tie but with eight minutes left a McKenzie shot took a wicked deflection to beat Stuart Hall and settle the tie.

Haws boss, Kevin Fotheringham, felt had his team got a break or two in front of goal in the second period they could have taken the tie to a penalty decider: “We were certainly a bit ring rusty in the early stages and Linlithgow deserved to be ahead at half-time, but for around 25 minutes after the break we were well on top and were a little unlucky with our finishing.

“Probably over the 90 minutes though Rose deserved to go through.”

Hearts wear down the Shippy

Kelty Hearts 4,

Burntisland Shipyard 0.

HEARTS made it 13 successive wins in the East of Scotland League with this win over the Shippy but it took them a long time to wear down their opponents.

Yet Hearts made a brilliant start to the game with a goal very early on when a cross from the right was perfect for Jordyn Sheerin to meet at the far post and head home.

Sheeryn went close again when he robbed a Shippy defender and managed to get free in the box but the ‘keeper pulled off a good save.

Hearts then hit the woodwork and forced the Burntisland ‘keeper into two good saves as the momentum stayed with Kelty.

Indeed, they created three or four good chances but at the break there was only the one goal separating the sides.

However, early in the second period the second goal came when the Shippy ‘keeper made a good block but the ball was whipped into the net by Errol Douglas from 12 yards out.

This put Hearts on easy street and the third came soon after. A corner was hit low to the edge of the Shipyard box and Scott Taylor-McKenzie met it first time to fire a low shot into the corner of the net and leave the visitors in trouble.

The fourth goal came from the best move of the game was built from the back and Murray Cairstairs played his part in sending Brian Ritchie clean through to beat the ‘keeper and seal the result.

It keeps Hearts with a good advantage at the top of the table 18 ahead of Lothian Thistle who have six games in hand.

Saturday’s fixtures, East Super League, Dundonald Bluebell v Broxburn Athletic, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Lochee United. South Division, Armadale Thistle v Lochgelly Albert, Crossgates Primrose v Oakley United. North Division, Lochore Welfare v Newburgh (all games 1.45pm.

East of Scotland Challenge Cup, Kelty Hearts v Threave Rovers (2pm).