Bathgate edge Glenrothes in Superleague clash

Mar 11 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Superleague:

Glenrothes 2

Bathgate Thistle 3

BATHGATE geared up for their inter-county Scottish Cup quarter-final with a hard fought 3-2 over Glenrothes.

It was the perfect preparation for Graeme Love’s men but they were made to work hard for the three points by a gutsy Glens outfit.

The Jags took the lead five minutes before the break when Stuart Hunter powered home a header from a corner kick.

It proved to be a shortlived lead though as the hosts levelled straight from the kick off when Meikle tapped home from close range.

Glens started the second on top but they were knocked out of their stride on the hour mark when they conceded a spot-kick which was converted by Alex Lurinsky.

Bathgate grabbed their third goal just six minutes later when Jack thundered a fierce drive into the back of the net.

Only a matter of inches denied them a fourth goal and instead it was Glenrothes who grabbed the last goal of the game when Martin nodded in two minutes from the end.

Bathgate: Carlin, Wilson, Neill, Hunter, Easton, Fallon, Luinski, McColligan, Lister, Jack, McLaren. Subs: F.Love, Blaney, G.Love, McCaffery.

East of Scotland Cup :

Tayport 2

Livingston Utd 1

THIS match finally beat the weather but Livingston couldn’t beat Tayport and they tumbled out of the cup at the first hurdle.

Stefan Elvin headed home a 26th minute opener as the hosts dominated the early stages.

They smacked the woodwork with one effort, whizzed narrowly wide with another but when they looked most likely to score again they helped hand the initiative to the visitors.

A sliced clearance from Tayport keeper Frazer Fitzpatrick was picked up by Carlo Santi who was hauled down.

The home keeper saw red with Ronnie Kenneth taking the gloves.

Lee Docherty took the resulting spot kick but makeshift keeper Kenneth made a superb diving save.

Despite playing with a man less Tayport doubled thier lead in the second-half through Lee Bryce but Livingston ensured a nervy last half-hour when Docherty pulled a goal back.

In injury-time, Livi were reduced to ten men, when substitute Conway was issued with a straight red card for a challenge on Barry Donachie.

Premier League:

Montrose Roselea 4

Fauldhouse Utd 1

THE Hoose were convincingly beaten in this basement battle which has left the county club standing precariously on the relegation trap-door.

Fauldhouse are also now looking for a new manager after parting company with Alan Prosser.

It proved to be a very tough day for Fauldhouse at Broomfield and they fell behind after just 13 minutes with Calum Watson grabbing the opener.

Fauldhouse rallied well though and hit back at their Angus hosts.

They pulled level midway through the second-half when Brian Felvus thrashed home from just outside the box.

But Montrose quickly took control of the game and on 70 minutes Watson restored their lead.

Watson completed his hat-trick seven minutes from the end with a terrific finish to make it 3-1 before Lee Hood added a fourth.

Carnoustie Panmure 2

Armadale Thistle 2

THE Dale chucked away a two-goal lead and a chance for three precious league points on Saturday.

Robbie Feeney and Ryan Johnstone were both on target for Armadale as they cruised in front.

However, a mistake by the Dale keeper saw a freekick squirm under his body and over his line giving Carnoustie a lifeline.

And in the second-half their recovery was complete as they found an equaliser and a share of the points midway through the second-half.

South Division:

Dalkeith Thistle 2

Broxburn Ath 2

AN injury time leveller denied title hopefuls Broxburn all three points at the weekend.

The West Lothian club had been leading 2-1 and looked to be on course to hand Dalkeith their first home defeat of the season until Ure slammed home a stoppage time free kick.

Dalkeith had taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Pudledski steered home.

But Broxburn hit back impressively and deservedly pulled level six minutes later when Craig glanced a header into the bottom corner.

Then after the break Jeffries raced clear of the sleeping Dalkeith rearguard to fire Broxburn ahead. It looked as if it would be enough until Ure’s timely moment of magic.

Dunbar Utd 4

West Calder Utd 3

WEST Calder lost out in a seven-goal thriller in which they led twice.

An early David Reid finish set them on their way early on but they were pegged back.

They then fell behind before Steven Johnstone’s penalty hauled the county club level.

Bret Agnew then struck to send the visiting fans into raptures to make it 3-2 in West Calder’s favour but once again they couldn’t hold their lead.

Dunbar scored twice before the end to keep all three points in East Lothian.

Tranent 2

Harthill Royal 1

HARTHILL narrowly went down to defeat at the hands of Tranent in what was a close fought affair between the sides.