'Two points dropped' as Sauchie draw against Whitburn

An all-square game at Central Park between Whitburn and Sauchie Juniors meant a point was shared when the teams met on Saturday afternoon.

There were no changes from the side’s last outing, interim manager Jon Tully fielding the same team that delivered the three points just the week before against Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

Another lively start for Sauchie Juniors, a series of corners taken by Paul Simpson in the opening minutes of the game proved problematic for the hosts before being cleared by a resolute defence.

It was a headed effort from Jack Thomson, providing the ball to striker Ross Kavanagh before he shot wide of the target, which was the game’s first real chance.

Captain Scott Davidson delivered deep into the box following a tackle on Thomson, Davidson’s cross gathered in the air by the host’s goalkeeper, Daniel Farrell.

Former Sauchie frontman Ross Crawford had The Burnie’s opening opportunity to break free from the challenge of the visiting defence, but Keir Burt would get down to dispose.

Andrew Thomson fouled Brian Morgan in the Sauchie half, revenge for a tackle in the game’s opening stages, Morgan’s free kick went long to Simpson but was met by Alistair Croall.

Minutes later, Crawford would get the game’s opener, a chance provided to him on a plate by a teammate meant a shot from inside the box. 

The Sauchie stand-in boss spoke of another against-the-run-of-play goal conceded: “It is massively frustrating as a team as we are in control of the game, and on their first real attack, they get a goal. 

"With a few bits of luck, the ball hits the arm of one player and into another’s path, and he’s only one, maybe two yards away.

"Going forward, we will work with the players, and when we are in possession defensively, as the old saying is, that’s when you're vulnerable when you're in control.” 

The visitors pressed for an equaliser, Connor Willaghan having a long throw-in delivered deep into the box, only to be met by Farrell, who cleared as far as Rhys Caves for a shot wide of the mark.

Fullback Willaghan also had a cross into the box but could not find a waiting teammate. 

A leveller was eventually scored when Finn Malcolm slotted underneath Farrell's arm at the near post following a neat lay-off from Morgan.

The second half battle came between Farrell between the sticks and Malcolm, the forward having countless efforts in front of the saved time after time.

Substitute Sam Davidson got in on the action following a second-ball opportunity, but the midfielder's shot lacked the power to connect and force a goal.

Morgan also had his shot rifled over the bar following another header layoff from Thomson, allowing the veteran an opportunity in front of goal.

The game’s final chance came for the home team, a free-kick taken by Harrison Edwards and struck directly at Burt, allowing the goalkeeper to gather comfortably. 

In his post-match assessment, Tully told Advertiser Sport: “For me, you’re looking at that game and thinking, it’s an awkward place, so good take a point. 

"Then you look at how the game panned out, I said to the players that it’s two points dropped for me, our keeper Keir didn’t actually make one save in the whole match. 

"Yes, they had their threats and chances, but he didn’t have a save to make, whereas their keeper had five or six, maybe more to make. 

“I spoke to Darren (Wilson, Whitburn manager), the game probably shouldn’t have been played as the pitch has taken an absolute battering. 

"We knew it was a tight park, and it took us twenty minutes to adjust to that.”

Sauchie Juniors: Burt, Willaghan, Sc. Davidson, Thomson, Simpson (Gemmell 76’), Caves (Sa. Davidson 71’), Kavanagh, Griffiths (Collumbine 71’), Williamson, Malcolm, Morgan

Substitutes Not Used: Robertson, Harrison, Chalmers

Advertiser Sport Man of the Match (Daniel Farrell): A busy yet outstanding shift from the Whitburn shot-stopper as some fantastic saves certainly denied Sauchie the victory in this match. This was an inch-perfect performance from the number one, with the only let-up of the afternoon proving to be when Finn Malcolm slotted past him for the visitor’s equaliser. 

Sauchie Juniors travel back to West Lothian to face Pumpherston, starting their defence of the East of Scotland League Cup this Saturday. This match will take place at Recreation Park for a 2:30 pm kick-off.