Tranent Drop Precious Points

Despite dominating most of the game,  Tranent will be will be kicking themselves as they saw two points slip away against a stubborn Blackburn side, who offered little in the way of an attacking threat.

Blackburn United were the latest visitors to Forrester's Park on McBookie.Com South Division business. United are undefeated in the league this season and have lost only one match in all - to Super League side St Andrews United in the East of Scotland Cup. They sit behind Tranent in the table on goal difference - the Belters do have a game in hand though. When the sides last met in April they played out a goalless draw, but it is a very different Tranent side in this campaign.

The game started slowly in front of a decent crowd and it took both sides a long time to gain any cohesion in midfield. In fact there was nine minutes on the clock before there was a real threat on goal - a long range effort from Tranent's Murray straight at goalkeeper Shaw.

After sixteen minutes, the home side nearly took the lead - McMillan's header from Wojtowczy's corner striking the cross bar.

Tranent started to gain the upper hand and Manson looked dangerous on the right with his strong running and dangerous crosses. After twenty one minutes, Manson played the ball into McMillan but when the ball broke to Fisher twenty five yards out, he fired his shot over.

Fisher was always looking to shoot and he again fired over after a good run. Manson had a half chance just before the half hour, but his first touch let him down. Murray headed wide a few minutes later but it was all Tranent.

The visitors were forced to replace Greig before the break with what seemed like a bad ankle injury- he was replaced by Simpson.

Just before the break Tranent's Miller headed over from a corner.

Half Time Tranent Juniors 0; Blackburn United 0

Tranent were dealt a blow just after the break with Miller receiving a head cut and he was replaced by Beaton.

However, there was little change in the shape of the play with Tranent continuing to create the chances and the visitors only seen on the counter.

After forty six minutes,  Murray had a long range effort well saved by Shaw and minutes later, Fisher should have done better when he got on the end of a Wojtowczy's through fall.

On the hour the game was turned on its head when Tranent's McKenzie conceded a bizarre own goal - goalkeeper Inglis should have done much better with his pass back but completely missed his kick - perhaps the Juniors' keeper lost concentration after being a spectator for so long!!!

Blackburn might have added a second a few minutes later,  but Spence snatched at his chance.

Tranent were in full cry now.  After sixty eight minutes, they came close to an equaliser. A good run by Manson who gave the ball to Fisher, he squared it across goal to Murray. He looked sure to score but a defender got himself back onto the line ! Two minutes later, Manson crossed to Fisher, but he scuffed his effort. Next to try his luck was Beaton with a run and shot but Shaw was equal to it.

Both teams brought on substitutes to freshen things up.

After seventy seven minutes, Tranent got a deserved equaliser.

Fisher crossed well from the left and MURRAY rose high to head past the helpless Shaw. Thoroughly deserved and the goal had been coming for some time.

The game was disrupted for a second time as Blackburn lost another player to injury. This seemed to give the visitors a chance to regroup and took some of the sting out of Tranent.

With more than ninety minutes played, Tranent looked to have won a penalty when McKenzie was pulled down in the area - but Referee Boise Allan waved away claims.

Just when the game seemed to be heading for a draw Lawrie nearly caught goalkeeper Inglis off his line with a free kick from half way- the ball dropping just over the bar with the keeper scrambling back.

Tranent will feel that they deserved all three points but it was just one of those days for the home side. Blackburn did well to take a point -  especially as they lost players with injury.

Best for Tranent were substitute Beaton and full back Patterson.  Manson was dangerous but was too often on the fringes of the game. Goalkeeper Shaw was best for United and they defended well throughout.

Next Saturday,  Tranent visit Crossgate Primrose in the league ( their Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round opponents Auchinleck Talbot are in action in the Senior Scottish Cup) while Blackburn host Downfield in the Junior Cup 


Teams
Tranent Juniors
Inglis, Patterson, Wojtowczy, Gordon, McKenzie, Miller, Manson, Darren Smith, McMillan, Murray and Fisher - Subs Hunter, Smeaton, McGrath, Beaton and Flynn
Blackburn United
Shaw, Greig, McIntosh, Lawrie, Mildren, Williamson, Miller, Mackie, Cooke, Campbell and Spence - Subs Simpson, McDowall, Easton, Duggan and Nicholson

Referee Boise Allan

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter