DUNIPACE 1-2 LOCHEE UNITED
Ross McGowan’s match report sponsored by Utility Connect Scotland.
Lochee United staged a spirited second half comeback this evening to turn a half-time deficit into three priceless points on the road in Denny.
Some inspired substitutions and a Ross Fraser finishing masterclass were enough to register our first Lowland League East victory against a durable Dunipace outfit.
Having drawn our season opener against Berwick Rangers with an impressive performance on Saturday, confidence in the camp was high and it was Lochee who started the brighter in this evening’s contest.
With only ten minutes played, a long ball over the top gave Finlay Allan something to chase and he showed great strength to shrug off his marker before rounding the keeper but could only fire wide with a solitary defender to beat.
Harry Welsh then had a shot blocked from a promising position after being released into the Dunipace box by Paul Scobie.
But despite looking the likelier to score in the opening ten minutes Lochee were made to rue their early missed chances as they struggled to clear a set piece delivery from the left and when Dylan Tennant recycled the ball to the back post Conor McKenzie was on hand to guide the ball into the top corner propelling the home side into a 1-0 lead.
Lochee continued to push forward and in truth looked the better team for much of the first half but were unable to fashion the sort of clear openings they needed. Their frustration was summed up perfectly when Harry Welsh’s shot from a quick free kick could only find the side netting.
1-0 to the hosts at half time with Lochee on top but floored by a sucker punch and eager to find any avenue back into the game.
Paul Scobie was pushed into a more advanced role to try and force the issue but the opening 15 minutes of the second half delivered more of the same with Lochee on top but struggling to break down a resolute home rearguard.
But when Finlay Allan’s fizzing low effort from 25 yards slid just past the post Lochee gaffer Steve Fallon immediately went to his bench to make a triple substitution and the change would prove decisive in turning the game around.
Connor Coupe’s fresh legs down the left got us on the front foot before Ewan Murray’s cross into the Dunipace area was only half cleared and substitute Ross Fraser was on hand to rifle into the bottom corner from 15 yards out squaring the match.
And within minutes a rejuvenated Lochee stormed into the lead when a swift move out from back to front saw Craig Tosh send Ross Fraser through a massive gap in the home defence and Fuzzy kept his composure to fire confidently past McMinn in the Dunipace goal.
Dunipace were far from out of the contest though and they applied considerable pressure on the Lochee backline in a final ten minutes that must have felt like an eternity to the travelling Lochee support.
But the Bluebells held on manfully to secure their first victory of the season and send us all back up the road with smiles on our faces.
Dunipace didn’t make things easy for us tonight but credit must go to Lochee’s manager Steve Fallon for making the timely changes that shifted the game in our favour.
It is not often the man of the match award goes to a substitute but we have to recognise when players make a match-winning impact and Ross Fraser’s two goals off the bench at a crucial time in the game make him a deserving recipient of tonight’s award.
After two games everyone at the club will be delighted with our unbeaten start and our four point haul, showing everyone that the Bluebells mean business in the Lowland League East. The players and management are doing us proud and we hope to carry that momentum into our next match away to Broxburn Athletic on Saturday.
As always – COME ON THE CHEE!!!
