Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 4:00pm

Bluebell keeps the pressure on leading clubs

by Jim Stark

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PERTHSHIRE provided a green haven for two local junior sides on Saturday as Dundonald Bluebell and Lochgelly Albert saw action while five other sides were forced out of action by the wintry weather.

Dundonald Bluebell and Lochgelly Albert had to work hard for their Central League returns but they emerged unbeaten from their trips to Scone and Luncarty respectively.

Scone Thistle 1, Dundonald Bluebell 2.

DUNDONALD Bluebell kept up their challenge in the Central League with this win which inflicted only Scone's second home defeat of the season.

In the opening period Dundonald, who were short of several regulars for a variety of reasons, produced some good football and they created a number of chances.

Scone defended well but really the visitors should have done better from a couple of the openings created.

As often happens the team who had played second fiddle in the first-half grabbed the lead soon after the interval and this gave them confidence.

Scone continued to defend well but Bluebell continued to create chances and the equaliser came when substitute Stuart Luke fired over an inch perfect cross and Martyn Thomson powered a header into the net.

This gave Dundonald all the momentum they needed and as the game entered its closing stages Luke took a pass and worked space for himself just inside the Scone box before firing an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net.

Scone were not for giving up but Dundonald kept their grip on things to ensure an away win.

Bluebell's Drew Davidson was delighted with the result. He said, "That win put us above Rosyth Recreation and it keeps us in contention for a tilt at league leaders Oakley.

"We were a bit short of numbers on Saturday with only three substitutes stripped but the lads who came in did a great job."

Luncarty 2, Lochgelly Albert 2.

BOTTOM of the table Luncarty had Lochgelly Albert in trouble in this league clash but the Gardiner's Park side managed to rally to collected a much needed point.

The first period was interrupted by a number of needless fouls and it was Luncarty who settled better.

They caused Albert a number of problems and in 20 minutes the home side struck to take the lead.

Lochgelly had a lot of possession in the run up to half-time and Stevie Brown twice had chances to level things up but at the break Luncarty led.

Albert started the second period well and missed another couple of decent openings before Luncarty struck again to double their lead.

Could the Lochgelly team come back? Well they continued to try to play football and they got a foothold with 20 minutes left when Craig McCreadie worked a good move with Brown and fired a powerful drive past the 'keeper.

This perked up the visitors and they totally dominated in the closing stagtes and with five minutes left Colin Jeffrey was pulled down in the box.

A penalty was the referee's decision and Ross Kinnell kept his cool to fire home the equaliser from the spot.

Albert could have won the game in the closing seconds but a point ended the Lochgelly losing sequence.

Said Albert's Rab Beveridge, "When we went two down very much against the run of play I was worried that we would fade out of it.

"But the lads showed good fighting spirit and we were more than worth a point."

SATURDAY'S fixtures: Emirates Scottish Junior Cup fifth round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Shotts Bon Accord (2.30).

East Super League, Kelty Hearts v Lochee United (2.30). East of Scotland Cup second round, Ballingry Rovers v East Craigie (2.30). Central League, Lochore Welfare v Kirkcaldy YM, Newburgh v Crossgates Primrose, Lochgelly Albert Dundonald Bluebell (2.30).