From Stephen Durcan (East Craigie)

EAST CRAIGIE v FORFAR ALBION

A 3rd meeting of the season for these two sides with 2 wins and a goal difference of 9 to 1 in favour of East Craigie in the contests so far. The rain relented long enough for the hosts to get back to league action for the first time in 4 weeks. 2nd top versus bottom of the league but nothing can be taken for granted as weather conditions can play a big part in the long football season. Just two changes to the Craigie side which lost at Cambuslang a week earlier in the Junior Cup with Andrew McDonald replacing Cameron Christie and goalkeeper Iain Ross deputising for the suspended Liam Dunn.

The opening chance fell to East Craigie when Adam Brown slipped defender Crosby deep in the box and squared the ball to Rory Faulkner but his close range effort was blocked by keeper Clarkson. Just nine minutes in Andrew McDonald tried an ambitious free kick from 40+ yards out which the agile Forfar keeper punched clear. The busy custodian then held a header from defender James Malone who opted to join the attacking fray. George Johnston then tried a low shot from 15 yards out which Clarkson swept up with ease.

The first goal came in the 18th minute as the Albion keeper got to, but couldn't keep out, an effort from BROWN several yards out. The lead lasted all of two minutes with ANDREW PATTULLO steering a spot-kick low to Ross's  right following a disputable foul inside the area by Malone on Mooney. The buoyant visitors charged upfield again as Dylan Stephen, despite numerous passing options, chose to go it alone and saw his low shot saved.

The Shipbuilders restored their lead in the 24th minute when Faulkner ran on goal, had his shot parried by the keeper and the loose ball fell to JOHNSTON who slid home. It might have been 3-1 minutes later but Brown watched his shot slide inches wide of the far post following a neat ball in from the ever-involved Johnston. Forfar's Kidd then tried a pop on goal from 25 yards out which sailed over the Craigie crossbar.

Then came the drizzle which pitter-pattered onto my notebook, leaving me fumbling for my umbrella which it turns out I'd left at home. Just a plug for my native Derbyshire here as the steel-framed umbrella was invented by one Samuel Fox, from Bradwell village in the beautiful Peak District. One to remember if you ever face the million pound question when opposite the other Clarkson, Jeremy.

With 40 minutes on the clock Finlay Baird fed the persistent Johnston but he couldn't find the target. The stuffing was completely knocked out of Albion following a double FAULKNER whammy just before the break. First, the striker nodded home at the near post after a pinpoint cross into the box, before the No. 9 tapped in after Fraser MacLeod's initial effort had been blocked by the under-siege Forfar keeper. It was no more than East Craigie warranted for the speed of their relentless attacking.

HALF-TIME: East Craigie 4 Forfar Albion 1

The second period opened as the first ended, with the Dundee side very much in the ascendancy. Baird shot wide when latching onto a ball from Faulkner, before Brown beat a defender wide on the right and drove a low cross-come-shot which the keeper blocked. On 63 minutes the hosts went 5-1 up with BAIRD finishing off a good attacking move down the right flank by slotting past the keeper. Five minutes later the Albion defence was unlocked again as a lightening quick reaction from FAULKNER on the edge of the box saw him convert Brannan's deep cross to notch a deserved hat-trick.

Then came a lull as most games have at some point. With the points definitely in the Craigie bag they took their feet off the pedals, if only to recharge.

Back they came with Clarkson stopping a shot from Brown and Johnston rattling the crossbar after a dazzling run towards goal from the impressive Faulkner. Five minutes from the end East Craigie wrapped up a convincing victory, a shot from substitute Euan McIlvenny being pushed out by the keeper to JOHNSTON who smashed home. The final chance fell to Jordan Conway who met McIlvenny's neat pass but his low shot was deflected wide. Phew! Inhale, hold, relax.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Rory Faulkner

FINAL SCORE: East Craigie 7 Forfar Albion 1

Seven wins out of seven for East Craigie at fortress Craigie Park with a whopping 37 goals scored in the process. Forfar battled bravely throughout but, once the hosts found their feet, the chances came and the finishing was clinical.

EAST CRAIGIE: Ross, Malone, Paterson, McDonald, Brannan, Baird (McIlvenny), Brown, Howett (Conway), R. Faulkner, Johnston, MacLeod (McNaughton). UNUSED: Christie, Moran.

FORFAR ALBION: Clarkson, M. Pattullo, Crosby, Kidd, Jamieson, Couttie, Gallacher, Stephen, A. Pattullo, Rennie, Mooney. SUBS: Black, Wilson, Fraser, Sturrock, Ross.