Late win delivered by labour of Love

Aug 20 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

JUNIOR football fans were treated to a triple whammy of action this week with games taking place on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday the spotlight turned to Bathgate Thistle who were up against local rivals Livingston United in the League Cup.

The Jags were heavily fancied but they found their South Division rivals in tricky mood and it took a goal five minutes from the end to seal the points.

Bathgate were caught cold from the off as Livi took a sixth-minute lead after Gary Frater burst clear and slammed past Carlin for the opener.

Frater had another one-on-one opportunity with Carlin 10 minutes later to double the lead but this time the Jags No.1 was equal to the task and denied the Livingston goal-grabber.

At the other end Brian McPhee sent a free header well over the top before Livi went in at the break with their noses in front.

But within 10 minutes of the restart Bathgate were level when player-manager Graeme Love teed up Jim Lister to prod the ball home for an equaliser.

The hosts continued to dominate but they were denied time and again by a resolute Livi defence until just 10 minutes from time when Bathgate took the lead.

Earlier goalscorer Lister was involved this time in the lead-up as his well-struck shot was blocked by keeper Wilson before being blasted into the net by Graeme McLaren for the winner.

Bathgate Thistle: Carlin, Wilson, Fallon, G Love, Gupwell, Easton (Riley), Nicolson, Trialist (F Love), Lister, McPhee, McLaren. Subs: Blaney, Neill, Trialist.

Livingston United: Wilson, Renwick, Nichol (Paterson) , Clifford, Fleming, Dallas (Higgins), Frater, Conway (Millar), Janonelli, Marshall, Kay. Subs: Marshall, Cornwell, Hendrie.

Elsewhere on Monday, Blackburn travelled to Camelon but they came unstuck, losing 3-1 with their goal coming from Alan Brown.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the night came at West Calder where the host side were up against Newtongrange Star who are newly promoted to the Super League and current holders of the League Cup.

Newtongrange were favourites to take all three points comfortably but West Calder showed a great fighting spirit and thoroughly deserved their win which came thanks to a Stuart McLeod goal.

On Tuesday the action got underway with Fauldhouse entertaining Super League side Bo’ness at home.

It proved to be a tough game for the Hoose who lost 2-0 to goals from Chris McFadyen and Darren Gribben.

With Whitburn’s Central Park undergoing repairs the Burnie are hosting home matches at Armadale.

And this week they welcomed Broxburn to their temporary home and duly sent them packing with a 3-1 defeat.

Scott Gormley, David Murphy and Alan Mooney scored the goals for Whitburn while Stewart Ritchie scored for Broxburn.

Broxburn’s goal hero then turned villain by being sent off late in the second half.