Musselburgh Hold Out To Maintain Fine League Run And Go Top

Despite leading two nil and hitting the woodwork three times in the first half,  Musselburgh just held off a skilful Camelon team who put them under intense pressure in the last ten minutes and go back to the top of the McBookie.com East Super League.

Only two games in the East Region Super, Premier and South Leagues beat the weather as storm Desmond caused havoc with Junior and Senior games across the country,  but the sizeable number who turned up at Olivebank were rewarded with a fine open match and lots of goalmouth action.

Musselburgh's fine run of results ended at Petershill in the Scottish Cup in their last fixture but their impressive form gave them a chance to go back to the top of the McBookie.com East Superleague if they could  beat Camelon. The visitors sit mid table and have had some mixed results but have shown themselves more than capable with draws against title contenders Musselburgh and Bonnyrigg Rose and a victory over Bo'ness United.

Camelon went straight into the attack and created a good opening inside the first minute but the chance was blasted over.

Athletic went down the other end and Jamieson had a half chance to put the home side ahead.

It was end to end stuff played in a stiff wind with intermittent rain and from a Derek Ure corner for the visitors after five minutes, the ball broke to Devlin whose shot was deflected just past by Allison. A minute later Scott crossed for the visitors and Fotheringham headed just wide. Next Bell put in a great cross for the visitors but there were no takers.

After 11 minutes,  Musselburgh took the lead slightly against the run of play. Scott was short with his pass back and the ever alert MYLES nipped to score his fifth league goal of a productive season.

Camelon nearly hit back straight away with Devlin shooting over from distance. After nineteen minutes, a Wright corner was met by Fullerton at the far post but his powerful header was straight at Dodds in the home goal who saved instinctively.

Musselburgh might have gone two up after twenty two minutes. MacLeish swung over a corner and it was met by Hamilton whose effort was turned onto the bar and his follow up stopped before the ball broke to Bracks who put it just wide. MacLeish then had a good shot saved by Kane who did well to save Jamieson's follow up effort. A minute later the home side had a good penalty shout turned away when Jamieson was nudged just as he headed a cross. There were lots of chances for Burgh with both Martin and Jamieson failing to convert.  After thirty minutes, Thomson looked certain to double the lead but his powerful effort came back off the bar and  five minutes later a Bracks effort hit the post.

Just on the break a good Ure free kick was parried by Dodds in the home goal.

Half Time Musselburgh Ath 1; Camelon Juniors 0

Camelon , with the strong wind at their backs, made their intentions clear from the start of the second half - first Wright and then Ure firing in shots from long range. The visitors were dominating and it seemed only a matter of time before they broke Athletic down.
After fifty minutes, Allison shot wide, minutes later Fotheringham missed his kick after getting on the end of a Wright corner.
The shoot on sight policy continued with first Wright and then Scott trying their luck from long range.

Musselburgh were not out of it though and just after the hour Jamieson did brilliantly to set up Paliczka -  but he missed a great opportunity. A minute later, another fine Jamieson touch gave Paliczka another half chance,  but once again he couldn't convert.

Camelon kept creating chances and Ure shot over again before Scott headed just wide.

Musselburgh were enjoying a better spell and Jamieson shot just wide before McLeish blasted over. They looked to have made the points safe after 73 minutes when THOMSON  fired an exquisite free kick home from just outside the box.

However, Camelon were not finished and after seventy six minutes a Delvin through ball was well dummied by Allison allowing Grant a shooting chance -  but he shot straight at Dodds.

With seven minutes left,  Camelon were thrown a lifeline when DEVLIN fired home clinically after a free kick had been touched to him.

Camelon then camped themselves in the Musselburgh half for the remainder of the match. They won a string of corners but simply couldn't grab the equaliser - the best chances falling to Allison at the far post after a fine cross from the right and substitute Donaldson whose effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Musselburgh just about deserved the three points on the basis of their first half performance playing with the wind. They might well have had the points secured by the break but Camelon were never beaten and played some attractive football in difficult conditions.

Best for Burgh were Myles, Thomson and Jamieson whilst the visitors were well served by Devlin and keeper Kane. All credit though to all the players who produced a decent spectacle in testing conditions in a heavy pitch and referee Taylor and his team who sensibly allowed for the conditions.

Musselburgh have a local derby away to fellow title contenders Penicuik Athletic next week and Camelon entertain Newtongrange Star.

Final Score Musselburgh Athletic 2; Camelon Juniors 1

Teams
Musselburgh Athletic
Dodds, Christie, Martin, Mykes, Hamilton, McLeish, Jamieson, Thomson, Bracks, Swaney and Paliczka subs Jackson ( Gk), Conaghan, Davie, Hall and Tufail
Camelon Juniors
Kane, Bell, Devlin, Grant, Fullerton, Gregor Fotheringham, Scott, Derek Ure, Allison, Grant and Wright subs Donaldson, Stephen Fotheringham, Jones and Iain Ure


Referee Mike Taylor, Fraser Butterfield and  Ross Hoggan

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter