Junior football: Bathgate defeat St Andrews

Dec 24 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

St Andrews 1 Bathgate 3

BATHGATE’S good form continued as they made it three wins on the bounce against their Fife opponents in the only game in the East Region to survive the whiteout.

Referee Steve Chrichton took a gamble which almost didn’t pay off when he decided the game was playable but as kick-off drew near the heavens opened with a blizzard.

He persevered and luckily the snow blew itself out shortly afterwards.

Incredibly in a frantic opening 30 minutes there were three penalties awarded. First Bathgate striker Jim Lister was brought down but stepped up and missed from the spot. He made amends minutes later latching on to a pass from Paul Riley to drill a left footer past the keeper.

Next Bathgate’s Alex Lurinski was brought down in the box. He too took the kick himself but this time, unlike Lister, he scored.

Bathgate were two up and coasting but Lurinski then turned from saint to sinner when he handled the ball in his own box. Steve Fallon stepped up for St Andrews but Bathgate keeper Andy Carlin gave us a glimpse of what was to come from him later, with a good save to keep his goal intact.

St Andrews weren’t finished though and Kris Maxwell stroked the ball past Carlin to reduce the deficit.

After the break St Andrews were growing in confidence and Bathgate had to rely on a sparkling performance from keeper Carlin to keep their lead. To add to their troubles they had Steven Gupwell sent off for two bookings as they walked the tightrope.

But with time running out Bathgate secured the win. Sub Graeme McLaren started and finished the move for their third goal. Starting in his own half he played the ball out wide left to Jim Lister. He made ground before firing over a low cross into the box where McLaren who had followed up, was on hand to sidefoot the ball in.

In the end it was a difficult game for Bathgate but they came through with a terrific fighting display.