Bathgate strike earns valuable point for Haws

Published 20 Apr 2010 16:20 0 Comments

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VERY windy conditions dominated Saturday's junior card but there were excellent performances from several local sides.

In the East Super League things did not go that well for the two local contenders with Kelty Hearts losing but Hill of Beath Hawthorn picked up a home point and elsewhere Ballingry Rovers returned to winning ways and Lochore Welfare racked up their fifth successive victory, while Crossgates Primrose won on the road.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2, Camelon 2.

THE blustery conditions made life tough for defenders at Keir's Park and after a scrappy start the midfielders started to get to grips with things.

Indeed a neat piece of work by Camelon saw them take the lead on the half hour and their well organised defence kept the eager homesters out until the break.

However, in the second-half Haws started to impose themselves on the game and on the hour Fraser Beveridge's inch perfect cross was bulleted home by Stephen Bathgate's head.

Haws were now looking the better side and they twice went close to going in front but with eight minutes left they were shocked when a long punt was not dealt with by 'keeper Stuart Hall and the ball rolled into the net off the back of a Camelon front man's head. But the hosts were not beaten and with four minutes left a long ball was latched onto by Bathgate and his 20 yarder flew into the net to earn a point.

Kelty Hearts 0, Boness United 1.

THE wind dominated this Central Park clash and both sides struggled to contend with it and defences were on top.

The early stages saw very little activity in the penalty boxes but Boness got a break in the 20th minute when Hearts 'keeper Allan Fleming pulled off a good save but the rebound fell kindly for a United striker who rapped the ball home from close in.

The Hearts created one or two half chances before the break but could not test the 'keeper and in the second period the home team saw a lot of the ball.

Boness defended in depth and too often Kelty finishing saw balls fly over the bar and there was no really good opportunity to square things.

Hearts have a free weekend on Saturday with Tam Courts featuring in the Scottish Junior squad who are playing in a tournament.

Armadale Thistle 0, Ballingry Rovers 1.

THIS East Premier League game saw Ballingry Rovers dominate for the entire game but they had to settle for a single goal victory.

The opening stages were all about Rovers but too often the bumpy surface saw visitors' moves break down at key times.

However, in the 25th minute Craig Smart ran onto a good through pass and he brilliantly clipped the ball over the advancing 'keeper.

Ballingry should have scored more before the interval but their impressive leading up work came to nothing.

In the second period Armadale struggled to get in touch with the Rovers defence and the visitors continued to press. Alan McDonough twice went close to stretching the lead and then Smart went within inches of scoring.

Despite Ballingry being unable to stretch their lead there was little prospect of the home side pulling themselves back into the game.

Rosyth Recreation 0, Lochore Welfare 1.

LOCHORE Welfare made it a history breaking fifth win on the trot at Rosyth as they continued their march up the Central League table.

Welfare faced the gale in the first period but put together some good moves and in 15 minutes Scott Penman's shot from the edge of the box flew into the corner of the net.

Welfare continued to impress and Brian Donnelly hit the post and despite having wind advantage Rosyth were kept at arm's length.

However, in 35 minutes Lochore were down to ten men when Chris Vaughan was sent off for retaliation but the short handed side held out until the break.

In the second period Lochore continued to defend well and with the wind behind them they created one or two good chances.

Donnelly found himself confronted with the 'keeper three times but two brilliant saves defied the Lochore front man but the visiting defence ensured the fifth successive win.

Dundonald Bluebell 2, Jeanfield Swifts 4.

CENTRAL League title hopefuls Dundonald Bluebell disappointed their Moorside fans with this performance against one of their challengers.

Jeanfield took the lead in only 20 seconds but Bluebell were level inside a minute when Gordon Brown fired home.

That was the score at the break but Jeanfield opened the second period well and scored two more by the 65th minute.

Bluebell came back and a Graeme Mills penalty gave them hope but the home defence was off colour and Jeanfield grabbed the killer fourth to ensure a second successive defeat for Dundonald.

Scone Th 1, Crossgates Pr'rose 3.

CROSSGATES Primrose maintained their challenge for a top half of the table finish with this win in Perthshire.

Scone battled hard but Crossgates got the boost of an early goal from Stuart Irvine and they started to dictate play.

Thistle defended well though and the second Primrose goal did not arrive until near the break through Joe Clark.

The second period saw Crossgates continue to boss things and when Stevie McIntosh scored number three the points were heading to Humbug Park.

Scone pulled one back from the spot with 12 minutes left but it could not stop Primrose taking their haul to 22 points from the last nine games.

Lochgelly Albert 3, Oakley United 3.

THE Central League title chasing West Fifers won this game in the first period at a gale swept Gardiner's Park.

The Albert were against the wind in the first period and the home defence struggled to cope and lost an early goal.

Oakley grabbed a second goal and Lochgelly were basically reduced to a damage limitation exercise at this stage.

Had they got to the break two down it would have been a reasonable effort but on the interval whistle Oakley got number three direct from a corner.

The second-half saw Albert have a lot more of the game but they did not create a lot of good chances although John McDermid went close for the hosts.

Oakley were happy to defend well and protect their advantage and it was enough to win the points.

SATURDAY'S fixtures: Fife and Lothians Cup, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Dunbar (2.30). East Premier League, Ballingry Rovers v Fauldhouse (2.30). Central League, Lochgelly Albert v Thornton Hibs, Lochore Welfare v Dundonald Bluebell, Crossgates Primrose v Luncarty (2.30).

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