Hearts B 0-2 Bo’ness United
Friday night saw Hearts B continue their league slump as Bo’ness United took the advantage and put a goal away in each half to consign the youngsters to defeat.
The match was played at pace and it was credit to Bo’ness that they were able to keep their energy levels up throughout with their desire to take all three points on display for all to see.
Broomhill 1-3 Linlithgow Rose
Broomhill had a moment of resurgence before they succumbed to Linlithgow Rose’s incisive finishing at The Rock on Saturday.
Goals from Sneddon and McMullan, added to a penalty from Brown were enough for Rose to overcome a Broomhill side who are looking much more able in recent weeks and struck the crossbar twice. Rose manager Gordon Herd told club media that he believed his side were below the standards required, while Broomhill manager Zander Diamond told his club that it is ‘too easy’ to score against his side.
Much to work on for both sides as we head into the cup break…
Caledonian Braves 0-0 Gretna 2008
We had this one down as being a tight match, but we didn’t foresee Braves and Gretna playing out a 0-0 draw at Alliance Park.
We also didn’t see Gretna 2008 manager Vinnie Parker dusting off the gloves to play in goal. We didn’t envisage him receiving a straight red card for a challenge on Lennon Walker with fifteen minutes remaining. We didn’t predict the resulting free kick being well palmed away the trialist substitute ‘keeper and Gretna immediately conceding a penalty with the very next touch.
Were we clairvoyant enough to see said Trialist save the penalty to keep the match level? At a certain point you just have to say yes.
East Stirlingshire 2-3 Berwick Rangers
Shire must have thought this was it, their first win of the season when Shaun Brown and then Stephen O’Neill fired them into a two goal lead at half time.
Berwick must have feared the worst for their chances when the break came, but it was Scotland’s Englishest (??) side that came roaring out after the break as Liam Buchanan bagged a brace on either side of goals from Grant Nelson to secure three points for the visitors.
Shire had a chance to win it themselves when Matty Flynn’s stunning strike was well saved by Callum Antell, but it was three points squandered for Pat Scullion’s side.
Gala Fairydean Rovers 4-4 Cumbernauld Colts
Gala Fairydean Rovers do not do boring matches. In fact, if you’re a neutral and you’re not making plans to get to Netherdale this season then I would declare you to be a fool.
Cumbernauld Colts went in at half time 4-2 down as Hall, Sharp and Sinclair netted for Gala before Sean Borland grabbed two in reply for Colts.
Things didn’t slow down much after half time. Gala hit the woodwork twice in the 90 but it was John Binnie and Aiden Malcolm that sent Colts home happy, if slightly tachycardic.
A stunning 4-4 draw. All in a day’s work.
Tranent 3-1 Civil Service Strollers
Tranent continued their excellent form of late by dispatching Civil Service Strollers 3-1 at Foresters Park.
Adam McGowan, Euan Bauld and Ben Stirling got the goals for the Big T as they tightened their grip on sixth place. Civil might be disappointed not to have taken the lead Alieu Faye set up their first goalscorer, Mackie Scott, with his strike taking a deflection and skewing wide.
On another note, I particularly enjoyed Tranent’s ‘Fan Cam’ feature on socials this week!
University of Stirling 2-1 Broxburn Athletic
Broxburn went into this one as slight favourites thanks to their strong performances and goalscoring form so far this season, but it was Chris Geddes’ side who took all three points with goals from Jack Hodge, and Thomas Vonk.
Broxburn never stopped pushing for an equaliser and Errol Douglas came close with a sublime volley in the dying moments, but a fantastic save from Adam Buttigieg denied them a point.
Photos: George Vekic & Thomas Brown
