Bathgate and Whitburn in Fife and Lothians Cup

Mar 26 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Fife and Lothians Cup proved to be a welcome distraction for both Bathgate and Whitburn this weekend.

The Super League duo have been struggling for league form and are at the wrong end of the table at the moment but they showed on cup duty this weekend they have more than enough firepower to avoid the dreaded drop.

Bathgate were in Fife to face Newburgh and they romped to a 4-2 victory.

Graeme McLaren and Brian McPhee fired the Jags into a 2-0 lead but they were pegged back after the break by their hosts.

But Paul Jack’s side simply stepped up through the gears and they had too much in the tank for the Fifers.

Brian McColligan restored Bathgate’s lead and then Jim Lister capped the win with the fourth and final goal of the afternoon.

Bathgate: Carlin, Fallon, G Love, Gupwell, Easton, McColligan, F Love, Elliott, McPhee, Harvey, McLaren. Subs: Lister, McGrillen, Wilson, Nicolson, Longmuir.

Whitburn were even more convincing as they demolished Dalkeith on their own turf.

The Burnie were easy 5-0 winners to waltz into the third round.

Kevin Donnelly gave them a half-time lead with a curling effort which flew into the top corner but it was the second half in which they showed their real class.

Derek Strickland’s men scored four times without reply in a scintillating 45 minutes.

Donnelly netted his second of the game before a David Murphy brace and late strike from Eamon McNelis capped a stunning day at the office.

Whitburn once again showed the attacking football they are capable of and earned them second place in the Super League last season.

Whitburn: Walker, MacKay, Parkin, Mooney, Leiper, S Murphy, D Murphy, Donnelly, McSween, Doig, Dolan. Subs: J Murphy, McGurk, McNelis.

Fauldhouse’s poor form continued when they tumbled out of the cup on penalties after drawing 1–1 at home to Ballingry.

David Connolly netted a wonderful first-half opener for the Hoose but Rovers took the game to penalties after Andy Rollo levelled midway through the second half.

The first four penalties were all converted before goal hero Connolly turned villain by ballooning his spot-kick over the bar.

Ballingry scored to take the lead in the shootout meaning Fauldhouse had to score to keep the tie alive but Andy Cooper’s well-struck effort was saved sending the county club out.