Musselburgh Grind out Points against ill disciplined Thornton 

Musselburgh took the points thanks to a terrific Davie free kick just before the break against a Thornton team that could have run them much closer had they kept their discipline in a mad two minutes before and after the goal. The visitors were just shading the first forty five minutes before McNabe earned two yellow cards for comments made to the referee over the awarding of a free kick. Adam Drummond also earned a yellow carded for his continued protests which saw him see red later in the game for a foul which brought a second yellow. 

Musselburgh Athletic have visited St Andrews on the last two Saturdays on League then East of Scotland Cup duty. Both visits resulting in comprehensive wins. They returned to Olivebank this afternoon to host Thornton Hibs in a McBookie.com East Premier League fixture. 

Athletic have started the season strongly and lie just behind Fauldhouse United in second place with five wins and a draw in the league and an East of Scotland Cup victory last week. The Honest Toun men been scoring freely this season although they drew a blank in their last home fixture. Thornton have two wins, two draws and two defeats to their name in the league and exited the East of Scotland Cup on penalties at Whitburn last week. They sit just inside the top half of the league in seventh place. 

 Musselburgh started slowly and Hibs' Keatings tried a shot but it was a weak effort. 

Musselburgh went close in their first raid. Thomson's cross found Davie and his well struck shot produced a fine save from Linton in the away goal. 

Musselburgh received a blow after ten minutes when Gray had to go off to be replaced by Murphy. 

With 14 minutes on the clock O'Kane fired over for the home side from twenty yards. 

Hibs came close after 17 minutes when a Keatings drive forced Adams into a diving save. From the resultant corner the visitors looked certain to score but the home side somehow kept the ball out in a terrific goalmouth scramble. 

Next Chrichton was in on goal, but Adams produced another good stop. A minute later Feeley fired over from a good position but Thornton were beginning to look more dangerous. 

As usual King was looking dangerous for Burgh and he won a corner after a fine turn and chip which Linton did well to keep out. 

After 28 minutes the visitors nearly opened the scoring when Matthew Robertson got on the end of a deep cross to the far post. His header beat Adams but came back off the bar. 

Athletic's reply was a King shot fielded low at his post by Linton. King nearly got on the end of an O'Kane cross minutes later but just couldn't reach the ball. 

Keatings again tried his luck from range, but his shot was well over. 

With 4 minutes to the break Chrichton had another effort for Hibs, but his shot was deflected over for a corner. 

With the break looming McNabe conceded a free kick twenty five yards out on the Burgh left. DAVIE stepped up and hit a superb free kick into the top left hand corner of Linton's goal giving the keeper no chance. 

McNabe continued his protests and received a second yellow and his marching orders. Adam Drummond kept his protests going and was yellow carded along with Keatings. 

Thornton needed the break as their discipline had broken down and they were likely to get more cards as their was real anger amongst their players. 

Thornton were unlucky to go in behind but as damaging as the goal were the red and yellow cards. Musselburgh were not at their best and although they created a few chances they never dominated an organised Thornton team. 

Half Time Musselburgh Athletic 1; Thornton Hibs 0

There were no changes at the break but Musselburgh came out much more on the front foot. 

King nearly doubled their lead after 46 minutes but his effort slipped just past the post. 

Musselburgh were dominating the game against the ten men and King was in again but Linton made a good stop. A minute later McManus had a free header from a corner but put his effort over the bar. 

Musselburgh brought on MacDonald for Ralton just before the hour mark. 

Matthew Robertson had a great shot on the hour which Adams in the Burgh goal did well to save. 

Good work from MacDonald set up King but the prolific striker couldn't finish as Linton saved with his legs. 

Thornton were doing well to keep the home side out and introduced fresh legs in an attempt to draw level - McMillan and Feeley making way for Forbes and Strachan. Straight away the change should have yielded a goal with Forbes on the end of a free kick, but he couldn't convert a great chance. 

After 69 minutes, O'Kane set up MacDonald but he dragged his effort wide of the far post. 

Musselburgh looked dangerous with King and MacDonald combining well and after a great MacDonald run King produced another fine stop from Linton. Murphy then gave MacDonald a shooting chance but he put his effort past. 

With 7 minutes remaining Hibs were reduced to 9 men when Adam Drummond received a second yellow for a trip just outside the box. Thomson fired the resultant free kick just wide. 

With 4 minutes remaining O'Kane fired in a decent strike from range which Linton snatched confidently from the air. 

That was the last significant action and Burgh held on for the points. 

Burgh deserved the points but Thornton were the architects of their own downfall. They were matching the home side in that first half but were always going to struggle with ten men. 

This was not a great Musselburgh performance but they will be delighted with the three points and move on still unbeaten home or away. 

Best for Burgh were O'Kane and King with MacDonald impressive when introced in the second half. Thornton were well served by Linton 

Musselburgh visit Dundee to face Downfield next week while Thornton host Tranent Juniors. 

Full Time  Musselburgh Athletic 1; Thornton Hibs 0 

Teams

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

Thornton Hibs
 Linton, Dale Robertson, Matthew Robertson, Stuart Drummond, Adam Drummond, Coleman, Keatings, McMillan, Feeley, Crichton and McNabe  Subs : Forbes,Shields, Strachan, Shanks and Taylor

Gordon Baird 

Neutral Reporter