Honours even in exciting match at Prestonfield

Sep 3 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

IT was an exciting weekend for the county’s Junior football clubs with the pick of the bunch being a 3-3 draw between Musselburgh and Linlithgow in the Super League.

For the second time in a few days these sides met and in regulation 90 minutes they drew again.

Newly-promoted Musselburgh were playing their first game in the Super League and they gave the favourites for the title a huge scare.

Musselburgh opened up a two-goal lead before Murray McDowell pulled a goal back for the Rose just before the break.

Steve Manson equalised within a couple of minutes of the restart with the same player giving Linlithgow the lead for the first time in the match with 20 minutes remaining.

However, they failed to hold on to that lead and Musselburgh’s Chris King brought them level only five minutes later. He was sent off for a rash tackle shortly after but the Rose couldn’t take advantage of the extra man and the game finished with the points shared.

Title holders Bonnyrigg started their league campaign with a 2-1 win against Whitburn who continued to struggle with a small squad.

They have signed the ex-Livingston player Steven Weir and he will help. Bonnyrigg took the lead with a Sean Grady strike but Scott Gormley equalised very quickly. But Whitburn couldn’t hold out for a point as James Morrice rattled in a winner for the champs.

Bathgate got off to a great start with a 2-0 away win at Camelon. Who says there is trouble and strife at Creamery Park? Some super football is being played there at the moment with new boss Graeme Love at the helm. Jim Lister grabbed a double with the only down side being Willie Wilson’s sending off.

Armadale found out just how difficult it’ll be to compete in the Premier league when they went down 1 – 0 at Kinnoull thanks to a Robbie Holden strike.

Fauldhouse produced the performance of the weekend coming back from being 2 – 0 down at St Andrews to beat the newly promoted side 4 – 2 with goals from Bryan Felvus with a double and strikes from Craig Meechan and George Smith.

In the South Division Broxburn drew 3 – 3 at home to Sauchie while Pumpherston also drew this time away at Spartans 2 – 2. Livingston, who have been in impressive form lately were beaten 4 – 2 at home by Dunbar.

A similar scoreline was recorded at Harthill with Tranent winning with Gary Shanks netting Harthill’s goals.

Blackburn beat Dalkeith 2 – 1 while Stoneyburn ran out 2 – 1 winners at home to Haddington. West Calder meanwhile lost 3 – 2 at home to Edinburgh.