Luncarty 3 Lochee United 2

A mysterious penalty decision a few minutes from time consigned Lochee United to their first league defeat in over a year at the hands of Superleague new boys, Luncarty.

Although the winning goal came in controversial circumstances there is no doubt that Lochee were the authors of their own downfall, scorning a handful of scoring chances, particularly in the first half.

Bleachers keeper Ryan Mitchell was the home side’s hero, making a string of fine saves to deny the champions.

The game was played on a pitch that would put some Premiership surfaces to shame and in blazing hot conditions which necessitated a water break in each half for the players.

The first 45 saw Lochee dominate with Mitchell saving from Greg Kirk, Connor Birse and Kevin Milne. It took 30 minutes for Bluebells keeper John Sinclair to make a save, this one from Kieran Donald.

Just on half time Mitchell saved again, this time from a Danny Cavanagh free kick.

If the first half was devoid of clear-cut openings the second half was to make up for it. In the first minute Cavanagh had a great chance to put Lochee in front but Mitchell got down to his weak effort quite easily.

And Lochee were shocked when Luncarty went up the other end and opened the scoring, Sean Burton crossing for Kieran DONALD to head home.

Mitchell again came to the rescue, saving from Reece Ritchie as the visitors pressed for the equaliser.

The game turned on its head on 63 minutes when Robbie Holden had a great chance to put the homesters two up. Sinclair managed to save and, with Kirk calling upon the referee to halt the game for an injured Holden, the ball moved quickly upfield and Kevin MILNE managed to stab the ball through Mitchell’s legs for the equaliser.

The Bleachers regained the lead two minutes later, Donald outpacing Garry Kenneth to fire in a shot that Sinclair could only parry into the path of Chris ANTON who slammed the ball home.

After another water break Lochee were soon on the attack. Substitute Ryan Blair had two chances in the space of a couple of minutes to draw Lochee level, but headed wide on the first occasion and saw Mitchell block his second attempt.

However Blair did supply the cross for Scott McCOMISKIE to flick home the equaliser for Lochee in the dying minutes for what looked like earning his side a draw.

But, with just minutes to go, the referee awarded a penalty kick to the home side. No one really knows why the penalty was given and Kenneth was booked for his protests, but BURTON slammed the ball past Sinclair to give his side the win.

So, a disappointing start to the campaign for Lochee, but a good win for a hardworking Luncarty side.

Luncarty: R Mitchell, Walker, Dobie, Heggie, Nicol, Yeats, Anton, Montgomery, Holden, Mills, Donald. Subs: Kirkcaldy, Paton, Burton, Fergus, K Mitchell, Green.

Lochee United: Sinclair, Webster, Kirk, Kenneth, McNally, Ritchie, Cavanagh (Blair), Lawson (Davie), McComiskie, Milne, Birse (Buchan).

Match report by Jim Davie