Slow Starting Musselburgh Rout Tayport

Musselburgh Athletic took a little time to find their stride against a lively Tayport side this afternoon. The visitors created early chances and took a fourth minute lead which they doubted after 36 minutes. However the home team reduced those arrears to one immediately after the Tayport second, and then enjoyed a long spell of domination which saw the game wrapped up just after the hour. In truth the home side had been unfortunate to find themselves two down as after their initial uncertain opening, they had started to play some attractive attacking football.

Newly relegated Musselburgh Athletic returned to the McBookie.com East Premier League after 8 seasons of SuperLeague action at a pristine Olivebank this afternoon. The "honest toun" men struggled most of last season and their home form was the main reason for their relegation; they won only twice at Olivebank. However, the relegation was a big shock in Junior circles as Burgh seemed to be safe after defeating Bonnyrigg Rose late on. However, Burgh are amongst the favourites with the bookies to make an immediate return to the top level. Nevertheless their opening fixture was a really tough one. Tayport Juniors finished fifth in the Premier League last season and after four seasons out of the SuperLeague, are keen to return to the top table. They have a new manager in Charlie King, the former Brechin City midfield schemer took the reins this summer.

Tayport looked lively right from the start and hesitancy in the Burgh rearguard nearly let Reid in straight from the kickoff. Thirty seconds later the same player had another opening, but this time he pulled his effort wide of the far post when he looked sure to score.

This seemed to give Musselburgh a wake up call and Cherrie played a fine diagonal ball which Thomson latched onto, but the danger was cleared.

With 4 minutes on the clock Tayport opened their account for the season. McManus' pass across the back was blocked and REID raced in on goal before firing his shot under Adams. Burgh had looked fragile at the back in the opening exchanges and the goal was no surprise. The Burgh's response was a snap shot on the turn from the ever alert King but it didn't test Sorley in the visitor's goal.

Tayport were bright and taking advantage of Musselburgh's slow start. An early corner  presented Mackie with a shooting chance and when it was blocked, the ball fell to Ireland who shot over. Then with 10 minutes played Tayport's Sutherland blasted over from distance.

However, after these early scares Burgh were beginning to find some rhythm and their passing game was coming into play. A fine Murphy cross field ball found debutant MacDonald who cut inside cleverly, but his cut back was a poor one. Thomson was also causing problems on the right but he couldn't find an end product. Next King tried an ambitious chipped effort but he could'nt trouble Sorley. With 17 minutes played Murphy was on the end of a square ball but he shot over.

Tayport were still testing the Musselburgh defence and after 21 minutes Sanchez curled an effort just wide, before Mackie hit a well struck free kick straight at Adams.

The game was flowing from end to end and providing fine entertainment for a surprisingly small crowd.

After 32 minutes Musselburgh were forced into a change. Donaldson received a nasty cut on his head which needed medical attention. Davie took his place. However before Burgh could get themselves reorganised, they fell two behind. A Tayport free kick was not cleared and when the ball fell to IRELAND,  he shot through the advancing Adams - this second goal was a little against the run of play and came as Burgh looked the more likely team.

However within a minute Musselburgh reduced the arrears and it was a super goal that got them back into it. THOMSON gathered the ball on the the right and cut inside at pace before unleashing a terrific left foot shot, which beat Sorley at his left hand post- the keeper was probably taken by surprise by the early strike and its pace.

The half ended with Burgh on the front foot and MacDonald put in a shot on the turn which Sorley saved well.

Tayport were a little lucky to find themselves ahead at the break as Musselburgh had outplayed them after a slow start, but both sides had contributed to an open and entertaining 45 minutes.

Half Time Musselburgh Athletic 1; Tayport 2

The home side started the second period with real purpose and within 3 minutes had pulled themselves level. O'Kane crossed the ball to KING and his delightful and classy chipped finish gave Sorley no chance.

A few minutes later Thomson had a good effort just tipped over, but Sorley was now a busy keeper as Burgh pressed for a third goal. King nearly got that goal a minute later  but Sorley did well to save his effort at the near post.

However, the third goal was only delayed a few minutes and it was that man KING who slid home the third after 58 minutes. Burgh enjoyed good possession in the middle of the park, passing the ball around well to create an opening and when the ball went wide to Murphy, his cross was clinically despatched by Burgh's ace hit man.

A minute later MacDonald cut in from the left but Sorley again saved well at his near post. Straightaway MacDonald was involved again and when he crossed from the left MCMANUS turned home Burgh's fourth and within 15 second half minutes Burgh had turned things around completely .

Burgh continued to dominate play and with 65 minutes played the combination of MacDonald and King nearly worked again. The big man broke away and found his strike partner with a fine square ball but for once he couldn't hit the target. Tayport were finding Burgh's attacking force diffucuit to contain and were only seen occasionally as an attacking threat.

With 74 minutes gone MacDonald nearly got the goal his support play deserved. He got on the end of a cross field ball and again cut inside at pace, before firing a shot which clipped the far post with Sorley beaten. 

Tayport kept trying to play football but they only really carried any threat from set pieces or from long range as with a Sturrock effort after 83 minutes.

With three minutes played Burgh added a fifth goal and it was again KING, this time completing his hat trick. Substitute Whyte produced the cross and King finished with a fine header.

With the game into added in time, the home fans got to see the goal they wanted. Musselburgh broke out quickly and Cherrie played a fine ball to MACDONALD. The striker ran in on goal and slid the ball past Sorley to make it six for the home team.

Burgh ran out comprehensive winners after a sluggish start. They carried a real threat up front with the reliable and talented footballer King sharing man of the match honours with newcomer MacDonald. Their midfield dominated the second half with Cherrie running the show. The defence eventually got itself sorted out but they will face bigger tests in the weeks to come.

Tayport flagged after a bright start but they showed enough to suggest they will enjoy a good season despite shipping six goals here.

Musselburgh visit East Lothian rivals Dunbar United on Wednesday while Tayport entertain Glenrothes.

Full Time  Musselburgh 6; Tayport 2

Musselburgh Athletic

Adams, McManus, Lynch, Hogg, O'Kane, Cherrie, Murphy, King, MacDonald, Donaldson and Thomson Subs Gray, Whyte, Ralton, Davie and Tufail

Tayport Juniors

Sorley, Paterson, Sturrock, Sanchez, Anderson, Alvarez, Mackie, Walton, Reid, Sutherland and Ireland  Subs King, Smith, Christie, Conway and Jabbi

Referee Mark Rennie

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter