Armadale's late flourish sees them fall just short

Despite scoring twice in the last few minutes, defensive frailties meant that Armadale Thistle failed to rescue a point in an entertaining encounter.

Armadale Thistle were the visitors as Musselburgh Athletic faced their third match in five days at Olive Bank tonight. The visitors are embroiled in a relegation fight in the Super League and have been in good form recently despite losing out in East of Scotland Cup on Monday night. They came close to defeating Linlithgow Rose last Saturday and as Athletic lost 2-1 to the same opposition on Monday night, it looked like it was not going to be easy for the Junior Cup finalists. In the corresponding fixture last season Thistle scored a late winner to take all three points.

Musselburgh again shuffled the pack in an attempt to rest players but it took them less than a minute for them to get on the scoresheet. A misunderstanding at the back led to Skipper Brown's  attempted clearance landing at the feet of Turner,  and he calmly chipped the advancing Rooney in the Thistle goal.

After ten minutes it was 2-0 - indecision between Brown and keeper Rooney let Thomson in and he took his chance smartly. At this stage the visitors defence was in disarray and both goals came from basic errors.

Two minutes later and Armadale nearly pulled a goal back. They won a free kick about twenty five yards out on their left and Feeney's super free kick cannoned back from the underside of the crossbar, with goalkeeper Jackson beaten.

Armadale were looking dangerous upfront with McLeod prominent. From another free kick Milton nearly got in at the far post and then good interplay between between Dalrymple and McLeod  forced a good stop from Jackson.


It was an open game and Myles produced a great cross from which Martin should have done better with his header. However, a third for the home side was not far away and after a great pass by Sheerin, Hunter chipped Rooney.

After 40 minutes,  Armadale pulled a goal back when McLeod skilfully fired past Jackson.

However, Musselburgh restored their lead almost immediately. After a corner was cleared off the line,  the ball was eventually played back in to the box and Patrick headed past his own keeper.

Just before the break Sheerin turned brilliantly and pulled out a good save from Jackson.

It had been an entertaining half and although the visitors looked capable up front but their defence struggled throughout the half.

Half Time: Musselburgh Athletic 4; Armadale Thistle 1

The second half started where the first left off.

McLeod was through but Jackson denied him, before Turner's through ball saw Myles beat the keeper only to see the ball come back off the post.

Musselburgh took off the influential Smith and within a few minutes Armadale got a second goal. A good cross from the left was headed home powerfully by McAfferty.

However, Musselburgh still looked likely to add to their total and after 77 minutes, Sheerin got the goal his all round play deserved. Beveridge played him in and he chipped the ball over the advancing Rooney - 5-2 now.

There were lots of chances a both sides made changes.

Just when the referee was checking his watch,  Armadale added two goals in a minute. Firstly, McLeod did well on the left and his cross was met by Feeney and then substitute Thomson fired home again after good work on the left.

There were no more goals but it was an entertaining game.

Best for Athletic were Smith, Sheerin and Myles with the visitors well served by Man of the Match,  McLeod and Feeney.

Armadale carried plenty of firepower upfront but made far too many basic errors at the back. Musselburgh have Cups on their minds and did enough to secure the points despite making a number of changes.

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 5; Armadale Thistle 4

Teams

Musselburgh Athletic
Jackson, Christie, Martin, Myles, Hamilton, Hunter, Turner, Smith, Thomson, Sheerin and Wilson
Subs Adams, Beveridge, Ralton, Davie and Doig

Armadale Thistle
Rooney, Brown, Clark, Brown, Morrison, Patrick, Mcleod, McAfferty, Feeney, Dalrymple and Milton Subs Thomson, MacKay, Hislop, Watson and Beveridge 

Referee
Scott Millar
Assistants Ian Snedden and Roumen Radev
 

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter