Thistle keep Super League hopes alive

On a blustery afternoon Dalkeith Thistle kept their hopes of Super League football next season  alive with a plucky win over an indisciplined Dundonald Bluebell.

As the league season draws to a close, this was Dalkeith Thistle's last chance to set a points target that would at least secure them a play off position or even automatic promotion to the East Super League. Dundonald have two games after today, but to have any chance of Super League football next season, they knew that they simply had to win.

Dalkeith had a fine Derby day win last Saturday against local rivals Arniston Rangers and although Dundonald  beat Dundee Violet last week end, they crashed to a surprise loss at home to Forfar West End on Monday night. Bluebell also had a fixture on Wednesday when they went down to a Super League Sauchie in the Fife and Lothians Cup.

The home team made a quick start and from an early free kick, Tansey used the wind to test Bonnar in the Bluebell goal. The keeper spilled his strike but Morris was unable to turn the rebound in. However, a goal was not long coming and after 3 minutes, Waters gave the visitor's keeper no chance from twenty five yards with a tremendous finish into the postage stamp corner.

Bluebell nearly equalised right away but Paterek saved well in the home goal.

Despite facing the stiff wind,  the visitors were getting a foothold in the game and from a Walton corner Carstairs headed over.

Half way through the half, Morris got on the end of a through ball but his finishing effort was poor.

After 25 minutes,  Dundonald equalised. Shaw's cross was misheaded by a defender and goalkeeper Paterek failed to hold the ball in the swirling wind and when he dropped it, Young was on hand to turn it home.  A deserved equaliser which had been threatening to come for a while.

Thistle were stung by this counter and almost immediately a good cross from Morris found its way to Pusledski, but he shot wide from close in. Waters tried his luck again from long range but his effort was well wide.

However, the home team went ahead after 36 minutes. A good piece of work by McNaughton on the left saw him cross the ball and Linton had the easiest of finishes at the far post.

The were no more goals in the first half and Thistle were a little lucky to have the lead at the break.

Half Time: Dalkeith Thistle 2; Dundonald Bleubell 1

With the wind advantage in the second half, the victors started well with Shaw prominent on the right and he had a good effort just after the restart.

After fifty one minutes, there was a bazaar incident between goalkeeper Bonnar and full back Carstairs - the goalkeeper firing his clearance against the defender and the rebound going agonisingly just past the post. The defender was down requiring attention for some time but resumed.

Walton had a good effort from a free kick and then Carstairs brought out a good stop from the home keeper.


The game was scrappy and referee Snedden was busy with Dundonald giving away a lot of fouls and stacking up yellow cards. There were a number of good openings but defences were on top and Dalkeith looked comfortable.

With time running out Quinn received a straight red and any hope the visitors had of rescuing a point was gone.

With the referee checking his watch, Morris fired a fine shot past Bonnar to secure the points and keep the promotion dream alive.

This was a game spoilt by the wind and punctuated with too many stoppages to allow it to flow. The visitors received six yellows and a red and their indiscipline was a feature as their players constantly disputed the referees decisions. Dalkeith probably deserved the points for their second half performance.

Best for the home team were Tansey and Gavin with Shaw dangerous for Bluebell.

Dalkeith's fate is now out of their hands as they await Broughty Athletic's  final fixture. For Dundonald it's been a decent first season since promotion to the Premier League and they have come up just short of the play offs.


Full Time Dalkeith Thistle 3; Dundonald Bluebell 1

Teams
Dalkeith Thistle
Paterek, McNeill, Water, Gavin, Main, Linton, Morris, Barr, Tansey, Pusledski and McNaughton
Subs Lally,  Liddle, Manson, Flynn and Smith

Dundonald Bluebell
Bonnar, Grieve, Carstairs, Quinn, Forbes, Carr, Shaw, Walton, Gilfillan, McQuade and Young subs Rolland, McCreadie and Manangazl

Referee Iain Snedden

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter