Whitburn are only West Lothian team in junior cup

Dec 24 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WHITBURN are the sole West Lothian survivors in this season’s Junior Scottish Cup as they stormed into the fourth round with a 4-1 win away to Bellshill.

Midfield master Andrew Doig was the Burnie hero as he netted a wonderful hat-trick - all by the head.

Whitburn hadn’t played a competitive game for four weeks and boss Derek Strickland admitted he feared his side would be a little ring rusty.

But his fears proved unfounded as his side settled instantly and took a first minute lead with the first of Doig’s headers.

Ian McSween, who was with Linlithgow when Whitburn knocked them out of the Scottish Cup earlier this season, marked his debut with a goal on 17 minutes, heading home a Colin Strickland cross.

Whitburn were cruising but a mistake from keeper Stewart Walker gifted Bellshill a goal before half time.

But Doig restored Whitburn’s two-goal cushion barely five minutes after the restart and when Bellshill were reduced to 10 men the Lanarkshire side saw their Scottish Cup dreams evaporating before their eyes.

Doig capped a glorious day for him personally when he completed his hat-trick rising to meet a Scott Murphy free kick.

Whitburn boss Strickland was thrilled with his sides display saying: “We controlled the game and I’m delighted.”

Hat trick hero Doig added: “I’m enjoying my football here and all we need to do now is transfer our cup form to the league.”

Witburn: Walker, S Murphy, Leiper, Mooney, McGurk, J Murphy, McNelis, Doig, McSween, Strickland, Dolan. Subs: Donnelly, Mackay, D Murphy, Hannah, Kenny.

Ten man Linlithgow Rose huffed and puffed but overcame a stuffy Glenrothes side 3-1 in the Fife and Lothians Cup.

Mark Robertson saw red for Rose and it looked like the deck was stacked against the county side as the Fifers also took the lead through Sam Buchan.

But Rose fought back onto level terms within a minute when Sean Grady bagged an equaliser.

It looked as if the game would end all square until Rose sealed their place in the next round draw with two late strikes.

Gordon Herd edged Rose ahead before an own-goal settled any doubt.

Shock of the day in the Fife and Lothian’s Cup came at Camelon as the Super League side were trounced 4-1 by South Division Stoneyburn.

Star man was Stoneyburn striker Stephen Tarditi as he returned to West Lothian with the match ball after netting a superb hat-trick.

The big man was in blistering form and his coolness in front of goal is bound to bring Super League scouts sniffing around before long.

There was worse news in the Fife and Lothian’s Cup for Livingston as they lost 7-1 away at St Andrews.

In the Premier League Fauldhouse lost out by the odd goal in five to league leaders Musselburgh.

It was a crushing defeat for the in-form Fauldhouse side who had raced into a two-goal lead only to let it slip.

Chris McLennaghan gave Fauldhouse the lead before Bryan Felvis doubled their advantage.

It looked as if the county challengers were on route to a crucial win but with just 25 minutes to go Musselburgh stunned the hosts with a goal and the fightback began.

Blackburn and West Calder drew two apiece in the South Division with Ean Grieve and manager Mark Campbell on the score sheet for Blackburn.

And West Calder goals came from David McLeod and Lee Johnstone.