Tranent Fortunate To Grab Three Points

A combination of poor finishing and a fine performance by Jackson in the Juniors goal, meant that St Andrews left Tranent pointless after a second half where they dominated and created lots of chances and looked the more likely to win. 

St Andrews United were the visitors to Foresters Park on a bitterly cold Saturday disrupted by the bad weather. The Fife side sit just outside the relegation places in the McBookie.com East Premier League and before last week's home victory over Armadale, had not won a league game since August. Tranent confirmed their new management team of Darren Smith and Kenny Rafferty this week and have enjoyed an unbeaten run since the pair took temporary charge in December. When the teams met in the East Neuk on bonfire day, Tranent won by the only goal of the game. 

St Andrews started brightly and a miskick by Jackson in the home goal nearly let them in as early as the fourth minute. Jackson redeemed himself a minute later making a good stop from an Anthony shot. There was 16 minutes on the clock before either side threatened again and it was a Duffy free kick for the visitors that went just wide. A minute later McInnes sent a long range effort well wide. 

Tranent were struggling to create anything but nearly took the lead in 16 minutes - goalkeeper Mooney fumbled a corner but Mayne was on the goal line to make the clearance. This seemed to spur the home team on and a fine Miller pass gave Fisher a shooting chance but he delayed his shot, however the opening goal was merely delayed. A minute later Fisher got free on the left and when he pulled the ball back HAWKINS fired a curling shot past Mooney - the  goal came a little against the run of play in what was a very open game. 

Tranent got a boost from the goal and in their next raid a Patterson cross found Waters, but he delayed his effort and it was turned away for a corner. 

However, St Andrews were very much in the contest and on the half hour nearly equalised when Hendrie send his header just wide, from a Duffy free kick. 

Both sides were playing some good football in an entertaining encounter. 

With 38 minutes played, Tranent full back Wojtowycz tried his luck from long range but his attempt was well wide before a minute later McInnes did very much the same for the visitors. 

Right on the stroke of half time United got the goal they deserved. The ever dangerous Hendrie fired a menacing ball across the box and KERR turned the ball past his own goalkeeper. 

Half Time:   Tranent Juniors 1 St.Andrews United 1

St Andrews came out for the second half ready to play and Falconer had a half chance right away which was turned for a corner. From the resultant corner, Anthony had his effort cleared off the line by Wojtowycz. In United's next attack,  a Duffy effort was deflected but Jackson pulled off a terrific save to keep the ball out. Tranent were pinned back but after 56 minutes, Christie sent a fine cross in from the right which found Wright at the far post, however Mooney kept it out at his near post. It was Wright's last action and he was replaced by Kanye Patterson straight away.

St Andrews were creating chances and after good interplay,  Hendry shot wide. Almost immediately their substitute Nutt missed a great chances as he tried to back heel the ball home from close range. 

Little was seen of the home team as an attacking force but in a rare foray forward, substitute Patterson headed over before Fisher tried to chip Mooney, when he got on the end of a through ball. 

United were really going for the win and after 76 minutes Wallace brought another fine stop from Jackson, when he looked sure to score. 

With the game becoming more and more stretched Tranent's Patterson was played in by Fisher but Mooney made another decent save. 

With eight minutes remaining, United's Anthony put in a good cross but Falconer fired straight at Jackson, who made a fine stop. 

As time ran out and it looked like Tranent would do well to take a point,  they scored the winner. PATTERSON finished well after getting free in the box. 

St Andrews will travel back to Fife wondering how they managed to lose with only as they created lots of chances and were the better side in the second half  - after a fairly even first 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Jackson was best for a Tranent and Hendry always a threat for the visitors. It was an very entertaining game on a bitterly cold afternoon and both sides should take credit for playing attractive football. Referee Ryan Lee let the game flow and handled the game well. 

Next Saturday both sides are at home. Tranent face a tough test when they host promotion chasing Forfar West End while St Andrews face fellow league strugglers Glenrothes,  in a Fife Derby 

Full Time: Tranent Juniors 2  St.Andrews United 1 

Teams 
Tranent Juniors
Jackson, Christie, Wojtowycz, Todd, Kerr, Watters, Miller, Hawkins, Fisher, Higgins and Wright Subs Smith, Patterson, Smeaton and Fiddler

 St. Andrews Utd 

Mooney, Honeyman, McInnes, Duffy, Mayne, Orrock, Quinn, Anthony, Falconer, Graham and Hendry Subs Shiavonne, Hunter, Nutt, Fleming and Wallace

Referee Ryan Lee

Gordon Baird

Neutral  Reporter