Lorry fire spoils Bathgate day out at Lochee

Sep 17 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE traffic chaos on the M8 last Saturday due to a lorry fire put the skids on Bathgate Thistle’s scheduled Super League clash with Lochee United.

Eight Jags stars were packed into two cars which were gridlocked for over two hours on the motorway and were unable to reach the coach taking the team to Dundee.

Elsewhere in the county Linlithgow Rose travelled to Hill Of Beath looking for their first league win of the campaign but had to settle for their third draw on the bounce.

Tommy Coyne gave the Rosey Posey the lead but they failed to hold on and had to settle for a share of the points again.

Whitburn too had to settle for a share of the points against Kelty.

The visitors had a man sent off then grabbed the opener.

Then the Burnie followed suit, having a man of their own dismissed – new signing Stevie Weir, before levelling. Scott Murphy equalised from the spot to give Whitburn a share of the points.

Ex-Livingston striker Weir could prove a shrewd signing by Whitburn boss Derek Strickland but only if he can remain on the field for 90 minutes.

In the Premier League, Fauldhouse were at Arniston on league business but crashed to a 4-1 defeat.

The Hoose’s goal came from Bryan Felvus.

The South Division produced an amazing game at Harthill where Broxburn were visiting.

A remarkable FIVE players earned an early bath as the card-happy ref reduced both sides numbers dramatically – including three separate goalkeepers.

First Harthill ‘keeper Alastair Neally was sent packing followed closely by team-mate Gary Shanks.

Broxburn ‘keeper Gary Maley was then sent off followed by David Carmichael for Harthill.

In the final minute Broxburn sub ‘keeper Scott Bruce was given a red card in conceding a penalty making a total of five players being sent off.

As for the goals, Harthill’s Shanks and Clark Campbell were on the scoresheet while for Broxburn John Jeffreys and Kenny Hannah were the marksmen.

West Calder beat Stoneyburn 2–0 with Steven Johnstone bagging a brace.

Livingston drew 0–0 with Haddington but the result of the day was Pumpherston beating Tranent 1–0 thanks to a wonder strike from Darren O’Mara in injury time.

Blackburn had to come from behind twice to earn a draw with Sauchie.

Craig Spence grabbed both goals in a 2–2 draw.