LOCHEE UNITED 2 – 1 MUSSELBURGH ATHLETIC
Ross McGowan’s match report sponsored by Utility Connect Scotland.
Lochee United showed their mettle this afternoon grinding out a deserved victory against a Musselburgh Athletic side who made us work til the very last whistle.
Bouncing back from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat away to table-topping Broxburn, the Bluebells delivered a superb second half performance to claim three massive Lowland League East points.
Lochee United’s Finlay Allan terrorised the Musselburgh defence all afternoon and it was our very own Fife flyer who very nearly opened the scoring in the opening stages snatching a shot just wide after being set up in the box by Ruari Henry.
In truth though it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the opening ten minutes as they bossed possession and looked to release the potent threat of Owen Hastie down the right flank.
But Athletic’s good early work was soon undone by a disastrous slip by goalkeeper Liam Campbell as they looked to play out from the back and the ever-alert Finlay Allan stole in to rob possession before gratefully lashing the ball into the empty net to put us 1-0 up.
Musselburgh tried to hit back immediately but were almost caught high up the park when Lochee orchestrated a lightning quick counter-attack down the right but Campbell made amends with a good save to deny Bruce Hearn.
Lochee continued to press for a second goal and they came close on the half hour mark when Callum Lamb’s cross into the middle found Ross Fraser but he just couldn’t generate enough power in his header and Campbell was able to gather.
But just before half time Lochee were dealt a stroke of misfortune when Josh Holt tried to control an awkward ball just inside his own box and as the ball kicked up off the turf and glanced off his hand the referee pointed to the spot. Liam Buchanan sent Lewis Haldane the wrong way with the penalty kick and the two teams went in at the break tied at 1-1.
It had been a fairly evenly contested opening 45 although Lochee probably felt they might have made more of their opportunities.
However, the Bluebells emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and soon began to take control of the game.
Ruari Henry signalled our positive intent feeding an inviting low ball across the face of the visitors’ goal that Ross Fraser just couldn’t quite get his foot on in the middle.
But with a little over an hour played Lochee had their noses in front. A swift counter-attack saw Ross Fraser steamroll through the middle and when he slipped Finlay Allan through into the box a little bit of trickery invited the foul and this time it was Lochee who had their chance to convert from the spot. Allan dusted himself down before sweeping home the reward and Lochee’s lead was reinstated.
Lochee went out in search of the killer third goal and when yesterday’s signing Ryan Ferguson was introduced off the bench he immediately got involved setting up first Callum Lamb then Ruari Henry, neither of whom could find a way past Campbell in the Musselburgh goal.
Then the tireless figure of Finlay Allan was released into space down the right and despite having no support and three defenders tracking him he somehow still managed to hold them off and work the keeper as Lochee continued to search for an elusive third goal.
Allan then turned provider playing Callum Moore though on goal but Campbell came charging off his line and made a tackle 40 yards out that a centre-half would have been proud of.
But despite Lochee’s efforts, the third goal simply would not come and they had to survive a couple of late scares as Musselburgh looked to snatch a point.
First, a corner delivery created a high-stakes game of pinball in the Lochee six yard box before Fraser Donaldson took control to make a decisive clearance.
Then in the dying seconds a long throw-in caused havoc in the Lochee goalmouth as captain Louis Joyce made a crucial block and there were audible sighs of relief all around Thomson Park when Jonathan Court’s rebound drifted over the bar.
But in the end Lochee managed to hold off the late smash and grab act to claim a well deserved victory.
Whilst the ending might have been more nerve-wracking than any of us enjoy, Lochee should have been out of sight such was their second half dominance and it would have felt like a major disappointment had we not held on for the victory.
Lochee gaffer Steve Fallon will be delighted with how his troops are adapting to life in the Lowland League East with our players visibly learning and improving with every game. Musselburgh are a good side and this was always going to be a tough test for us but our guys can take great confidence from today’s result and performance.
But whilst it was a terrific all-round team display, one man elevated himself above all the rest this afternoon. Finlay Allan’s boundless energy, combative style, and maturity to carry a yellow card for much of the game and still cause countless problems for the visitors’ defence all afternoon made him the standout candidate for man of the match, as chosen by today’s match sponsor Sidlaw Automotive.
Next weekend sees a change of focus with a home tie against Thornton Hibs in the South Challenge Cup.
As always – COME ON THE CHEE!!!
