Tranent Grab Derby Day Spoils

Although the winning margin flattered Tranent on the balance of possession, they merited their clear cut victory and might well have scored even more had it not been for fine second half display by Wood in the Dunbar goal.

With no Scottish Junior Cup or East Super League games taking place locally, Tranent and Dunbar held centre stage in an important McBookie.com South Division mach. Tranent are riding high at the top of the table with Dunbar tucked in just behind and the outcome of this fixture could prove vital when the points are calculated at the end of the season. Tranent have dropped points in their last two home league fixtures -  against promotion rivals Blackburn United and West Calder- and despite a good showing in their Junior Cup defeat against Auchinleck Talbot, they badly needed a win to keep their title hopes alive. Dunbar have slowly worked their way back into contention and started to look promotion candidates.

The game took a long time to come to life on a bitterly cold afternoon in front of a large crowd and the visitors were first to threaten with Hill firing wide from well out. They then won a free kick and King's effort was deflected. Tranent had their first foray forward when Kayne Patterson made a fine run on the right and his shot was saved by Wood.

They game was really scrappy with neither side providing much to warm up the shivering crowd. Dunbar suffered a blow after twenty three minutes when after a collision with a team mate, Common was forced to leave the field to be replaced by Kean. This certainly disrupted the defence and Tranent took full advantage. After 28 minutes Kayne PATTERSON fired in a shot cum cross from the left and the ball ended up in the net. Two minutes later,  Fisher played in MCMILLAN  - who looked well offside - and his shot from just outside the box doubled the lead.

After thirty two minutes, a super ball from Millar gave McMillan a great chance but he wasted the opportunity.

Dunbar were creating little in the way of clear cut chances, but King was playing some delightful passes and his dead ball delivery was excellent.

With six minutes to the break, Tranent looked to have secured the points. Fisher played the ball to Manson whose effort struck the junction of post and bar and when the rebound fell to MCMILLAN, he slotted it home.

Just before the break McMillan blasted over.

Half Time: Tranent Juniors 3; Dunbar United 0

The game continued to a similar vein to the first half with possession fairly equal but Trabent with the clearer chances.

After fifty minutes, Patterson shot from outside the box and Wood did well to change direction to grab the deflected effort.

Millar was running the game in midfield for Tranent and they were creating openings although Dunbar were never short of endeavour.

With just over twenty minutes remaining, Wood in the visitors goal made two super stops to keep Tranent out - firstly from substitute Beaton and then Fisher. With time running out, King fired over for the visitors from range.

With four minutes left, Tranent added a fourth. The ball came to substitute HUNTER and after taking what seemed like an eternity, he eventually fired past the helpless Wood.

Tranent were well served by Millar and the defence made sure Dunbar were given few openings. Dunbar created little in front of goal despite a lot of possession and some fine passing from King. They were affected by the loss of a key player early in the first half.

Tranent will be delighted to get the points and a fine improvement to their goal difference. Dunbar's promotion hopes have taken a knock but their is still a lot to play for.

Final Score Tranent Juniors 4; Dunbar United 0

Teams
Tranent Juniors
Inglis, J Patterson, Wojtonczy, Gordon, McKenzie, Millar, Manson, Hawkins, Fisher, McMillan and Kayne Patterson subs Hunter, Smeaton, Murray, Beaton and Flynn
Dunbar United
Wood, Hill, Burston,Thomson, Common, Hogg, Handling, Tait, Young, King and Grant subs Girdwood, Kean, Subasi, Cochrane and Johnstone

Referee Mark Rennie


Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter