Whitburn prevail in relegation wrestle

Apr 16 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WHITBURN moved away from the automatic relegation spots at the foot of the Super League with a hard-fought win over fellow strugglers Bo’ness.

Paul Parkin took his place in the Burnie starting 11 after the club lodged an appeal against his sending off a week earlier.

Also in the starting line-up was goal ace Colin Strickland who looks to be finally clear of injury.

Strickland was instantly involved as he netted the opener after just five minutes after a clever swivel and shot from eight yards.

But Bo’ness are still fighting for their own Super League lives and they levelled when Chris McFadyen glanced a header home.

On the hour mark Whitburn edged back in front when Strickland doubled his tally to send the home crowd into raptures again.

Two became three a few minutes later following a piece of kamikaze defending in the Bo’ness back line.

A long punt upfield was left by both the covering centre-half and keeper which allowed Burnie striker Andy Doig to nip in and roll the ball into the empty net.

The visitors ensured a nervy finish for Whitburn as they pulled a goal back five minutes from the end when David Morrison headed home but the county club held out for all three points.

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