Hat trick Hero Fisher Rewards Forrester's Park Faithful

For the third home game in a row Tranent Juniors scored five as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Dundee side, East Craigie, with KENNY FISHER scoring three times in a good all round team performance.

This East of Scotland First round tie was the early opportunity this season to compare the relative merits of the McBookie.com South and North Divisions. The "belters" of Tranent have invested heavily in new faces this season and have made a superb start and have a 100% league record. East Craigie (nicknamed "the Shipbuilders" are one of Scotland's oldest Junior clubs having been started in 1880) have had a win, a defeat and draw in fixtures which included two Dundee derbies. Both sides scored five in their last fixture so it was hoped there would be goals in the tie.

On a perfect afternoon for football, the game was delayed as repairs were made to the goal frame at the southern end of the ground and kick off was eventually forty five minutes after the advertised time.

The delay didn't upset the home side though and when Ewan Gunn lost possession in midfield the ball found its way to BEN MILLAR who fired the Juniors ahead. Les than two minutes on the clock and ominous for the visitors. Two minutes later, good interplay between Fisher and Jamie Patterson saw the former fire over.

There was fully six minutes played before East Craigie had their first shot at goal,  but Steven McNally shot well over.

Tranent were the better side and after twelve minutes nearly doubled their lead - with Craig Wojtowcyz firing a free kick against the crossbar with keeper Sean Logie well beaten. However, the second goal was delayed for only a minute. A bad kick out by Logie allowed FISHER to run in on goal and he finished clinically.

Craigie were thrown a life line in twenty two minutes when Wojtowcyz brought down David Salisbury in the box. Referee Calum Doyle pointed to the spot immediately. Greg Houston stepped up but his tame effort was well saved by Sinclair Inglis low down at his left hand post. A few minutes later Stevie McNally had another chance for the visitors and when the rebound fell to Salisbury he pulled his shot wide of the post. 

The visitors had come much more into the game but a misunderstanding at the back gave FISHER another chance and he put the Juniors virtually out of sight with an assured finish.

Tranent took their foot off the gas a little and paid the price just before the break. They conceded a stupid free kick in the centre circle and when the ball was played in, JAMES MALONE was on hand to head home from about 12 yards.

Half Time Tranent Juniors 3; East Craigie 1

Tranent made two changes at the break with Ryan McKenzie and Darren McGrath making way for Kenny McMillan and Lewis Hawkins.

Craigie seemed buoyed by their goal just before the break and had the first effort on goal of the second period, but Gunn's free kick was straight at Inglis.

After fifty minutes, Tranent thought they had added a fourth, but Joe Murray's effort was ruled off correctly for hand ball.

The game was very open and after sixty two minutes, Tranent put the tie beyond the visitors. A cross from the right was gathered by FISHER who completed his hat trick with another assured finish.

Tranent kept creating chances with the best falling to McMillan after a fabulous run down the right from Millar - but the substitute blasted over. McMillan headed just past minutes later. With time running out Tranent added a fifth and it was probably the pick of the bunch - a long range effort from MARK SMITH.

This was a fine performance by Tranent who always carried too much threat for the visitors. The penalty miss came at a time when East Craigie needed to get back into the game and it cost them dearly.

Best for the home team were Fisher, Millar and the skipper Darren Smith -  but this was a decent overall team performance with no real failures.

East Craigie simply made too many crucial errors at the back and lacked any real punch up front - although they kept trying and couldn't be faulted for effort.

Referee Calum Doyle handled things well and with no official linesmen, got the big decision right.

It's League duty for both sides next Saturday with Tranent hosting Rosyth and East Craigie entertaining Coupar Angus. 


Full Time Tranent Juniors 5; East Craigie 1

Teams

Tranent Juniors
Sinclair Inglis, Jamie Patterson, Craig Wojtowczy, Chris Gordon, Ryan McKenzie, Darren Smith, Darren McGrath, Ben Millar, Kenny Fisher, Joe Murray and Mark Smith Subs Kenny McMillan, Lewis Hawkins, Neil Smeaton and Hamish Hunter ( only 4)

East Craigie
Sean Logie, Andy Walls, James Malone, Andy McDonald, Mark Ferrie, Ross McFarlane, Stevie McInally, Ewan Gunn, Greg Houston, David Salisbury and Lee Malone Subs Andy Millar, Paul Constable, Warren Hay, Scott Howie and Jack Cameron

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter