TWO goals in the second half from Dunbar United meant that Sauchie Juniors ended their season with a defeat.
There were three changes made from the defeat to Hutchison Vale last weekend; Keir Burt assumed the position between the sticks, and Paul Simpson returned to the starting eleven in place of Finlay Miller.
The most notable of the changes occurred when interim manager Jon Tully drafted himself into the starting eleven in place of the absent captain, Scott Davidson, slotting into his trademark centre-back position.
Tully had last featured for the team just over two years ago, when the team met Hill of Beath Hawthorn in what was a 4-2 victory at Beechwood Park.
The game’s opening chance came when Gregor Goldie had his effort seen behind by Burt for a corner, the follow-up shot over the bar by Ehizojie Victor at close range.
Goldie tried his luck just moments later, shooting past the far post and missing by a fine margin.
Sauchie’s Conor Kelly did have a series of chances, firstly coming when Danny Smith laid the ball off for the striker, whose shot inside the box would fail to disturb the home defence, as with his long-range effort having a similar effect.
Looking for a goal himself, Smith would head on the offensive, and Sean Brennan comfortably got down to gather this attempt.
Spinning the helpless John Binnie, Joe Craig was the latest Dunbar player to have a shot of his own, which sailed past the post.
The relentlessness of the hosts continued, with Daniel Hall with a close-range shot, cleared from danger by Connor Willaghan after Burt denied the initial chance.
Secondly, defender Dean Whitson had his attempt blasted over following substitute Mackenzie Lawler’s free-kick reaching him inside a dangerous area.
Coming out for the second half, Finn Malcolm went close after the interval but was unable to reach a man in the middle before the danger was cleared.
The Seasiders pressed with chances, Lawler’s chance proving to be the first real opening of the half, which was seen over the bar by Burt and his defence.
After several chances from both sides across the game, Craig eventually opened the scoring for the hosts minutes after the hour mark.
Craig had initially been fouled in the build-up by Tully, rose to his feet for the second ball and struck the ball into the top corner.
Lawler would foul Simpson, allowing the former Linlithgow Rose player an opportunity at a free-kick, to which the winger delivered for Willaghan, the chance was headed over by the full-back.
The visitor’s fate was sealed ten minutes from the time when Goldie got his goal after much patience, striking the ball at Burt, who got two hands to it but not enough to keep it out of the net.
Sauchie Juniors: Burt, Willaghan, Hutchison (Harrison 67’), Tully, Binnie, Collumbine, Simpson, Kelly, Smith, Davidson, Malcolm
Substitutes Not Used: Robertson, Massie, Griffiths, Henderson
Following the result, the club would post on their social media channels, offering their thanks to their loyal supporters, sponsors and the local community for their support in a challenging season.
The post also advised to keep an eye out for the date of the club’s annual general meeting and the announcement of pre-season fixtures.
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