Fine Second Half Performance Sees Burgh Extend Championship Lead

Despite taking an early lead in their McBookie.com East Premier League encounter against St Andrews United today, Musselburgh Athletic failed to build on that advantage. The visitors grew into the match and went in at the break ahead, courtesy of two fine strikes and some indifferent goalkeeping. However, Athletic were a different proposition after the turnaround and ran out comfortable winners in the end, although St Andrews kept pushing forward in search of the equaliser and were never totally out of the contest.

McBookie.com East Premier League leaders, Musselburgh Athletic welcomed third placed St Andrews United to Olivebank today for the sides third meeting of the season - Musselburgh having beaten the Fifers twice in St Andrews, in an eight day spell earlier in the season. St Andrews have had a few poor results recently but got back to winning ways last Saturday, at home to Bathgate Thistle.  Musselburgh, who have lost only once in the league this season, at Kirriemuir, also had a hard fought win over Tranent Juniors in their last outing. The “honest toun” men lead the table by 10 points and with second placed Haddington Athletic on Scottish Cup duty and fourth place Fauldhouse United in East of Scotland Cup action, a win for Burgh would see them move 13 points clear at the top with only 13 games remaining. St Andrews need to close the gap as they have played more games and a defeat would seriously dent their automatic promotion hopes.

There was a reasonable crowd at Olivebank to see the teams kick off on a heavy pitch on a bitterly cold, damp afternoon. 

Musselburgh were first in the attack and King nearly headed them ahead after 4 minutes but his effort was brilliantly turned away for a corner by Wilson in the United goal. However, the keeper was beaten from the subsequent corner when after Donaldson’s header from the corner had been kicked off the line by Honeyman, MacDONALD fired home to give Burgh a perfect start. The home side were on the front foot at this early stage and nearly went further ahead after 9 minutes. Lynch was put in on goal by a fine pass but, his ball across goal was behind his strikers and cleared.

St Andrews were taking a while to create anything but won a free kick after 11 minutes, a few yards outside the box on their left. LAURIE stepped forward and fired the ball into the postage stamp corner with McGurk stranded on his goal line - perhaps the keeper was unsighted but more likely he was beaten by the pace of the shot. After 15 minutes Burgh were nearly embarrassed when a McManus’ pass back caused McGurk problems but the keeper dealt with it at the expense of a corner. From Fleming’s corner Laurie volleyed over. 

Musselburgh won a couple of corners in the next few minutes. Donaldson was on the end of one but shot straight at Wilson.

After 25 minutes the visitors created a good opening but, Laurie’s fine shot on the turn was just over. However, a minute later the visitors took the lead. QUINN broke free on the left , McManus dived into the tackle but the frontman drove in on goal and with defence retreating, he fired a shot past McGurk into the far corner - a fine solo effort.

Two minutes later, the visitors won another free kick just outside the area but Laurie’s effort was deflected off the wall for a corner.  The visitors were beginning to take control with Laurie and Quinn prompted by Fleming, causing lots of problems. Just before the half hour Laurie again provided the danger when his hooked shot  from a corner was just over. After 33 minutes Wallace nearly got on the end of another Quinn cross.

 Musselburgh were quick to respond. After 34 minutes Wilson did brilliantly to turn a Thomson free kick around the post before the same player brought out another good stop from the visiting keeper.

After 41 minutes, Thomson had another free kick effort saved at the foot of the post. 

As half time approached both sides were affected by injuries. Firstly Musselburgh’s Donaldson took a knock to the head and had to go off before United’s McDade was injured in a tackle and went off.

It was an entertaining first half with both sides enjoying spells in the ascendency. The visitors probably deserved their narrow advantage but Musselburgh certainly carried a threat with Murphy and MacDonald looking dangerous.

Half Time Musselburgh Athletic 1 St Andrews United 2 

Gay replaced Donaldson for Athletic after the break with the experienced player stepping into midfield and Cherrie dropping into the back four. McDade resumed for United but was to last only three minutes before being replaced by Orrock.

Musselburgh started brightly and a fine run and cross by MacDonald was laid back by King to Gay, who shot over. A minute later a Gay corner came to King but his effort was straight at Wilson. Davie then brought out a good stop from Wilson but the home side were fired up. After 52 minutes King was put in on goal but again Wilson produced a good stop. However a minute later, Musselburgh got the goal they had been threatening to score since the break. Good interplay on the edge of the box involving Ralton and Thomson saw the ball come to MacDONALD, who finished well. A minute later Murphy and MacDonald played in Ralton but his shot caused no problems. Just before the hour good lead up play by Burgh gave Murphy a chance but he shot over.

It was all Musselburgh now and King nearly got on the end of a Lynch cut back after 66 minutes.

St Andrews has a rare chance after 67 minutes. Referee Kevin Lindsay played a good advantage to allow Laurie to run in on goal but, he pushed his shot wide.

With twenty minute remaining Musselburgh took the lead. Good lead up play set Ralton free in the box and he squared to KING who, had the simple task of beating Wilson.

Both sides used substitutes to bring on fresh legs on the heavy pitch but Musselburgh always looked likely to hold on to their lead as St Andrews had lost their first half sparkle. Substitute Orrock did have a double chance for the fifers with 5 minutes remaining but couldn’t convert. 

Burgh brought Jackie Myles on late on - the popular player returning from a long absence through injury. 

St Andrews put on a good show against the League leaders, especially in the first half but fell out of the game in the second half, with the injury to McDade causing them to reshuffle their defence. Laurie and Quinn were excellent in the first half but anonymous after the break. Goalkeeper Wilson was excellent throughout.

 For the home side Murphy was excellent in midfield and MacDonald took his goals well and was a tireless worker. 

Next week Musselburgh visit Glenrothes while St Andrews host Kirriemuir Thistle.

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 3  St Andrews United 2 

Musselburgh Athletic
McGurk, McManus, Lynch, Murphy, Cherrie, King, Davie, Donaldson, Thomson, Ralton and MacDonald Subs Tufail, Gay,Myles,Wilson and Whyte

St Andrew United

L Wilson, McDonald,Graham, McDade,Mayne, Fleming,Honeyman,Wallace, Laurie, Quinn and J Wilson Subs Russell, Falconer, Cunningham, Orrock and Morrison 

Referee  Kevin Lindsay 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter