YM went into this Fife derby against Lochore looking to extend their winning run to 5 games and keep a distance between those behind them.  

They started off playing down the slope with a slight breeze behind them. The match had a scrappy opening with neither side able to impose themselves on the game.  The first chance fell to the YM after 7 minutes when Fenton was played up the right wing, he outpaced Lochore fullback Christie but his cross into the box failed to find any takers.

A good cross into the box from Linton after 13 minutes found the head of Henderson whose knockdown into the six yard box again failed to find any support on the end of it. YM were pushing for the opener and they earned a corner after 15 minutes which led to a break away by Lochore’s Adam. However he was thwarted in his run by Linton who ‘took one for the team ‘which earned him the games first booking. 

From  this free kick,just inside the Lochore half, the ball broke to Lochore’s Adam who struck a great shot from the edge of the box into the top right  hand corner giving Couser no chance in the YM goal and Lochore a 1-0 lead. 

YM went in search of the equaliser and came close from a corner after 22 minutes which led to an almighty scramble inside the Lochore six yard box before the ball being cleared to safety.

Play was delayed after 23 minutes after a head collision between YM’s Ogden and Lochore’s Donaldson which eventually led to Ogden’s substitution at halftime.

Lochore were controversially awarded a panalty after 26 minutes when after a passage of play which had both teams shouting for separate fouls for hand balls, neither of which was given by the referee,  the ball was then powerfully struck by Lochore’s Wood at goal and the ball hit  Lintons arm enroute. Despite the fact that he could not get out of the way the ref pointed to the spot much to the YM players disbelief.

Byrne then stepped up to score Lochore’s second goal, despite  a great effort by Couser to keep it out, and gave Lochore a 2-0 lead,

YM had it all to do now and fought hard to get back into the match. YM’s McEwan tested Lochore keeper Valentine in 32 minutes with a cross cum shot from 35 yards which forced him to tip the ball over the bar. From the resultant corner the ball fell to the front post and after another  scramble , Lochore defender Hicks struck the ball off his own post before it was cleared to safety.

Ym’s Watt made a great burst up the right wing, and his fierce cross to the front post could only be turned towards his own goal from Lochore’s Hicks and Valentine pulled off a great instinctive save to keep the YM out.

YM though did get a lifeline in the 44th minute when a long ball had been played into the Lochore box, Lochore’s Donaldson hesitated enough to allow Fenton to nip in in front of him and poke the ball home from 6 yards to get the YM back into the match. The ref blew for half time moments later.

The second half started similarly to the first with neither team really taking control although both knowing that the next goal could be crucial. 

There were few chances for either team until the 62nd minute when Lochore’s Donaldson picked up the ball on the left touchline, he made his way inside YM’s Linton and cut across the 18 yard line before striking a great shot into the bottom left hand corner to give Lochore a 3-1 lead.

YM’s reply was almost instant though as straight from centre, the ball broke to Fenton on the left wing, he cut inside the Lochore box where his first shot was blocked by the  Lochore keeper but the ball broke up in the air back to Fenton who then nodded the ball in from six yards and brought YM straight back into the game.

YM stepped up a gear and began to run at the Lochore defence with Anthony causing them problems with his direct running.  Lochore manager Healy was sensing that the YM were getting on top and made a double substitution in an attempt to stem the tide.

YM though were not to be denied when after 71 minutes, after great play up the left wing led to Fenton feeding Henderson in the box, he then knocked the ball to Anthony running in on the keeper and as Valentine came out to him Anthony lifted the ball over his head and into the back of the net to tie the match at 3-3.

Rather than being content with a draw, manager Ness brought Geddes on and pushed on an extra striker in search of the winner and although chances fell to both teams neither was able to take them and the match finished level at 3-3 which, over the piece was probably a fair result .

A good point on the road for the YM which keeps their unbeaten run going into next weeks home match with Rosyth.