Linlithgow boss Mark Bradley delighted with Colin Strickland form

Feb 14 2013 By Kieran Westbrook

Gow gaffer Mark Bradley says his hitman Colin Strickland is playing at the top of his game after netting his 19th goal of campaign to see off Broxburn.

The former Whitburn forward fired home Linlithgow’s opener 10 minutes into the contest at Prestonfield Park, with Roddy MacLennan finishing the job in the second half.

And after moving 23 points clear of second-placed Bo’ness who were in cup action, Bradley praised Strickland for turning his game around.

He said: “Colin Strickland has been absolutely fantastic for us this season.

“He’s like a different player since I took over at the club.

“When we took over he wasn’t getting a game - he wasn’t sharp or dynamic.

“He wasn’t the Colin Strickland that Linlithgow Rose had signed from Whitburn.

“But full credit to him, it’s all been down to him and the hard work he has put in.

“He fully deserves the success he’s getting and long may it continue.”

The Rose hitman latched on to a Billy Gibson cross to head home his 19th of the season to send Rose ahead of a stuffy Broxburn.

Athletic’s best chance of the half came when Scott Pittman teed up Weir who forced a fine save from Rose goalie David Hay.

Linlithgow doubled their lead on the hour mark when Mark Tyrrell threaded in Roddy MacLennan who rounded Chick Clark and fired home.

A late free-kick from Brian Fairbairn nearly handed Broxburn a consolation goal, but Hay made another fine save.

The victory extends Lithgae’s league run to 14 wins and a draw in 15 encounters.

And Bradley puts much of their success at their forward’s form.

He said: “It makes us much more dangerous knowing we have two strikers up there that will get 20-plus goals in the season.

“Tommy Coyne has been relied upon to deliver the goods on his own too many times in the past, and he has done that.

“Having Colin up there sharing the load has made a big difference.

“But we’ve a lot of players chipping in with the goals, and a few players already making the double-figures.”

Rose turn to Junior Cup duty on Saturday and host Premier League outfit Jeanfield Swift this weekend.

Rose go in as big favourites, but Bradley is warning that his side will face a contest tougher than it looks on paper.

He said: “They may not be doing that well in the league, but they’ve been very dangerous in the cup.

“This won’t be an easy game.

“They’ve beaten St Andrews 3-0 and Port Glasgow away.

“They also won their first game 6-0 against St. Rochs to get this far.

“They’ll get a big lift coming here as well, so we will need to be on form and make sure we do a professional job on the day.”

Kick-off at Prestonfield Park in the Junior Cup clash is 2pm.