Musselburgh Athletic v Armadale Thistle - Sat 29th March 2014

Thistle Grab Late Winner

Armadale Thistle came to Olivebank Stadium for this McBookie.com East Superleague match still on the fringes of the relegation battle but left with three valuable points and their first league victory for nearly two months.

The home side fielded a young side badly hit by suspensions, transfers and absentees and included reserve goalkeeper Adams as a makeshift striker and it was he who had an early chance charged down by the Thistle defence.

Adams again had a half chance when he got on the end of a fine pass from Russell and only a fine tackle from Thistle defender Brown prevented the big man from getting his shot in. A minute later Adams struck the post with a snap shot.

Thistle's Robertson then had a shot saved by Cornet in the Musselburgh goal after his persistence had seen him take advantage of the break of the ball to get in on goal.

It was a scrappy affair with both sides struggling to gain control of the midfield but Musselburgh nearly took the lead when McDonald forced an error from McMechan who turned the ball against his own crossbar.

The first half closed with Armadale starting to creep into a game which Athletic might have had won with a bit more composure in front of goal.

Half - Time: Musselburgh Athletic 0 Armadale Thistle 0

Armadale started the second half the brighter of the two with Feeney spurning a good chance from a McCroary pass.

McDonald was working hard for the home team a created a chance for Hunter.  A fine piece of interplay between the busy Myles and Martin down the left created another chance for Adams but it came to nothing.

Musselburgh had their best spell of the second half and Thomson had a number of chances but the frontman couldn't find the target and when he did get a shot off found Thistle Keeper Walker in good form.

Musselburgh brought on fresh legs up front in an effort to win the game and looked dangerous but Armadale always looked capable of troubling the home defence.

In the ninetieth minute, with the game looking like ending goalless, Mauchline found some space on the Musselburgh left and cut inside full back Martin to fire a fine shot past Cornet into the far corner.

Armadale just about deserved this win on their second half performance, but it was against an under strength home side. The visitors were well served by Brown at the back, Patrick in midfield and Feeney up front.  Athletic worked hard with Myles and McDonald the pick and Russell prominent in the first half.

Result:  Musselburgh Athletic 0 Armadale Thistle 1


Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter