Junior teams struggle in East of Scotland Cup

Sep 22 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

ARMADALE Thistle, Stoneyburn Juniors, West Calder United and Fauldhouse United were the only West Lothian first round survivors in the East of Scotland Cup.

But Superleague sides Linlithgow Rose and Bathgate Thistle were dumped out of the cup along with Premier League outfit Broxburn Athletic and South sides Blackburn, Pumpherston Juniors, Livingston United and Harthill Royal.

Armadale Thistle battled to a 5-3 win over Edinburgh United with a Scott Brown double, a Scott Mauchline spot kick and second half strikes from Chris Taylor and Stuart McLeod cancelled out a Ryan Dignan hat-trick.

Fauldhouse cruised to a 4-0 win over Luncarty. United led 2-0 at half time with goals from Mark Wilkins and Craig Easton before doubling their lead through Kenny Martin and David Connelly.

West Calder United also triumphed over South Division rivals Blackburn United 2-0 while Stoneyburn ground out a narrow 2-1 victory over Coupar Angus.

But the big surprise of the East of Scotland Cup was seeing some of the region's top sides make early exits.

Linlithgow Rose lost 2-1 to East Premier League side Sauchie Juniors while fellow Superleague side Bathgate Thistle also made an early exit from the competition.

Thistle were sent packing by Musselburgh Athletic who kicked them out of the competition from the penalty spot.

Pumpherston were taught a lesson in finishing when Ballingry Rovers put five past them in comprehensive 5-1 victory and Harthill Royal fans also watched their side concede five goals as Penicuik made it to the next round. Livingston Utd lost 4-0 to Tayport.

Kirriemuir Thistle saw their way past Broxburn with a 1-0 win while Whitburn's clash with Brechin Vics was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.