League
Carnoustie 3 Whitburn 1, Scorer - Lurinsky
Half time: 2-1
This defeat means the season is now over for Whitburn, with yet again nothing to show for their efforts.
With only one substitute, and some players clearly struggling, it was always going to be difficult for Whitburn to repeat their victory against the same opponents the previous week. It was made even more difficult when Joe Mbu was sent off in the first half for offensive language, the referee being instructed to do so by his assistant. While the decision may have been correct going by the rule book, it is very rare to see it happen, and identical offences are ignored by the officials in every game throughout the season. The problem with such a rule is the lack of consistency from match officials in enforcing it, and even in this game at least two other uses of offensive language by players were ignored by the referee.
The game itself was evenly matched up until the sending off. In the 10th minute Ramage played the ball to J.Murphy on the left and ran into the box for the return pass. he received it with his back to goal, but hit a shot on the turn that keeper Whyte did well to push away for a corner.
In the 20th minute a free kick from the right by Carnoustie found Steven Cooke in front of goal and he looked certain to score until his effort was deflected over the bar by a last ditch tackle.
A minute later Whitburn won a free kick on the left that was played to Lurinsky at the left of the box. He played it inside for Ramage who had made a good run into the box, but put his shot over the bar from a good position.
Carnoustie took the lead in the 31st minute when Jon Voigt lost his marker to get on the end of a cross from the right, and turn the ball home off the inside of the post from close range.
S.Murphy almost equalised a couple of minutes later with a half volley following a punch out by Whyte, but his well hit shot from the edge of the box flew past.
The equaliser came in the 35th minute when Ramage made a good run to the bye-line and crossed for Alex Lurinsky to head home from 8 yards.
A minute later came the decisive moment in the game when Mbu was sent off, a harsh decision that ruined the game as a contest.
Carnoustie pushed forward and Walker made a great point blank save to deny Collier following a cross from the right.
Carnoustie regained the lead in the 40th minute when Aaron Conway collected the ball at the corner of the 18 yard box and hit a tremendous shot into the far corner that gave Walker no chance.
Whitburn had a penalty claim waved away on the stroke of half time as Leiper was impeded as he broke into the box. The ball eventually came back into the box for Strickland, but his shot on the turn went over.
Shortly after half time a punch out by Walker was driven goalwards by a Carnoustie forward, but Leiper had positioned himself on the goal line and headed the ball away for a corner.
In the 53rd minute Strickland played the ball to Lurinsky on the left and he cut inside and tried a curling shot the hit the top of the bar.
Carnoustie sealed the game in the 53rd minute with another goal by Jon Voigt who looked offside but was allowed onto a through ball before calmly stroking it past Walker into the net.
Strickland had been struggling with an injury for most of the game and was replaced by Carson in the 65th minute, Colin Leiper moving to play in attack.
Carnoustie had another couple of opportunities as the game drew to a close, but were denied again by saves from Walker.
The Man of the Match was Jamie Mackay who had a solid game at full back.
Whitburn team : Walker, Mackay, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, S.Murphy, Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Strickland(Carson). Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was Jamie Mackay
League
Carnoustie 1 Whitburn 2, Scorers - Lurinsky, Roberts
Half time: 1-1
With Whitburn guaranteed second place, and Carnoustie relegated, there wasn't much at stake in this final league match of the season, apart from perhaps a confidence boost before the teams meet again next week in the East of Scotland cup quarter final.
Whitburn took an early lead, Alex Lurinsky turning his man at the edge of the box and firing an unstoppable shot past the helpless keeper into the far corner of the net in the 7th minute.
Carnoustie equalised in the 20th minute, Sean Muhsin running through the centre of Whitburn's defence and hitting a cracking left foot shot from 25 yards that gave Walker no chance.
Whitburn dominated the second half, but didn't look as though they were going to find the net for a deserved winner. Mackay had a tremendous shot with the outside of the boot that rattled the bar from 25 yards, the same player also having struck the woodwork in the first half.
There were several other good chances, including one for Ramage who made a good run into the box but somehow missed an empty net from close range.
The pressure final paid off in the 90th minute when substitute Andy Roberts was in the right place to bundle the ball home at the back post following a long throw in by A.Mooney, for Whitburn's 100th goal of the season.
This result sees Whitburn end their league campaign with a commendable second place finish, and with the unusual statistic of no drawn games. Their points total of 48 would also have been enough to win the title in 3 of the 6 years the Superleague has been in existence, but unfortunately this season Lochee United were even more consistent and deservedly finished as champions.
The Man of the Match was Scott Murphy who had one of his best games in a Whitburn jersey as he dominated the midfield, setting up attacks with some excellent passes, and tracking back to defend when required.
Whitburn team : Walker, Mackay, Ramage, Leiper, A.Mooney, Carson(J.Murphy), Kenny(Flanagan), S.Murphy, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, Taylor. Subs not used - Hannah, Mbu.
The Man of the Match was Scott Murphy
27-5-08
St Michael's cup semi final
Whitburn 2 Musselburgh 2 Scorers - Flanagan, J.Murphy
Musselburgh won 5-3 on penalties
Half time: 1-1
Whitburn passed up a good chance to reach their first cup final in four seasons with this disappointing defeat to lower league Musselburgh.
Musselburgh opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Leiper had pulled back Osazowa just inside the box. It was taken by Currie and saved by Walker, but Chris King was first to the loose ball and slotted it home.
It took just 5 minutes for Whitburn to equalise, a great diagonal pass from A.Mooney finding Alan Flanagan at the right of the box, and he chested the ball down and ran on before firing the ball past keeper MacPherson into the net.
In the 60th minute Musselburgh's substitute had a good run and shot that was turned over the bar by Walker, however two minutes later Musselburgh regained the lead. Tansey cut open the defence with a through ball for Chris King to take past Walker before sliding it home.
In the 70th minute Walker had another excellent save, tipping a long range shot from Tansey over the bar.
Whitburn equalised in the 84th minute. A throw in fell to John Murphy 12 yards out, and his well placed shot found it's way past a defender on the line into the bottom corner of the net.
In the closing minutes Walker had another couple of excellent saves to take the match to penalties. Unfortunately for Whitburn, Strickland had his kick saved by MacPherson and Musselburgh went on to win 5-3 in the shoot out.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker who made a string of top class saves throughout the game, including saving a penalty kick in normal time.
Whitburn team : Walker, S.Murphy, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan(Mackay), J.Murphy, Lurinsky(Strickland), Roberts, Kenny. Subs not used - Hannah, Taylor.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker
League
Whitburn 0 Lochee United 1
Half time: 0-0
Whitburn had to win to keep the league race going, but it was Lochee who ended up winners to take the league title with one game remaining.
An early cross from the right by Hannah deceived keeper Ross who managed to push the ball onto the bar as it almost dropped behind him into the far side of the net.
In the 9th minute a slack throw in by Whitburn allowed Lochee to break, but Hardie was stopped at the edge of the box by a great tackle from Mbu.
Whitburn produced the best move of the game in the 12th minute and were unlucky not to take the lead. Mbu sent D.Moonie away up the left wing with a neat flick and his cross into the goalmouth was met by Lurinsky who turned the ball goalwards, but was denied by a great diving save by Ross who put the ball round the post for a corner.
Leiper then had a long range shot from a throw in, but was off target by a couple of yards.
Dailly had a 22 yard effort for Lochee, but it was too direct and was comfortably saved by Walker. Then Robertson had a goalbound shot blocked by Leiper in the 36th minute following a throw-in.
Lochee had another good chance when a high ball was misjudged by Mbu and ran through to Middleton in front of goal, but Walker was out quickly to dive at his feet and make the save.
At the other end a long range free kick by A.Mooney was fumbled by the keeper. Lurinsky missed the loose ball but it came to Roberts whose shot was blocked and partly cleared. The ball was played back into the box and Leiper got his head to it at the back post, but could only put it across goal and out at the far side.
Lochee started the second half on the offensive, and pushed Whitburn back for a period. A ball across the face of goal by McMillan was well picked out by Walker. Middleton then got to the bye-line and cut the ball back for Robertson who should have done better than put his shot over from 6 yards out.
Lochee's pressure paid off when the took the lead in the 57th minute, Paul Blackwood getting on the end of a cross from the right to drive the ball past Walker into the net.
Strickland came on as a substitute midway through the half and almost immediately set up a chance for Ramage who was denied by Ross who was quickly off his line.
In the 76th minute Lochee almost extended their lead when a ball in from the right came off the post before being cleared.
In the 88th minute Robertson had a shot from the edge of the box that Walker turned round for a corner with a good diving save.
That was the last action of the game which was deservedly won by Lochee United to settle the destination of the league title.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper who was again in excellent form in the centre of defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts, D.Moonie(Strickland). Subs not used - Carson, S.Murphy, Taylor.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
20-5-08
League
Linlithgow 0 Whitburn 2, Scorers - Ramage, Lurinsky
Half time: 0-1
Whitburn recorded a deserved victory over Linlithgow to keep their title challenge alive.
Iain Ramage opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a long range effort, and Alex Lurinsky made sure of the points with a second half goal.
Colin Leiper produced another impressive display to win the supporters vote for Man of the Match.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Kenny), A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Hannah, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts, D.Moonie. Subs not used - Strickland, Mackay, Taylor.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
17-5-08
East of Scotland cup 3rd round
St Andrews 2 Whitburn 3, Scorer - Roberts(3)
Half time: 1-2
Whitburn were 2-0 ahead, but St Andrews drew level with goals either side of half time from Paul Farquharson.
Man of the Match Andy Roberts completed his hat trick in the 57th minute to take Whitburn through to the quarter finals.
Paul Taylor replaced Joe Mbu in the second half for his first appearance since the Scottish Cup game against Crossgates in November.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu(Taylor), Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts, D.Moonie. Subs not used - Mackay, Strickland
The Man of the Match was Andy Roberts
12-5-08
League
Bathgate 0 Whitburn 2, Scorer - Roberts(2)
Half time: 0-1
What a difference two days makes. Whitburn produced a performance tonight against the Scottish cup finalists that was as good as Saturday's against Camelon was bad.
It took just 2 minutes for Whitburn to take the lead. Lurinsky chased a through ball to the bye-line and crossed to the back post where Andy Roberts was unmarked to head the ball into the net.
Five minutes later S.Murphy hit a powerful drive from the edge of the box, but it was straight into keeper Carlin's arms.
In the 14th minute J.Murphy won the ball in midfield and tried a shot from 30 yards that flew past Carlin's left post.
Then Lurinsky had a chance when a long ball dropped to him after it had been misjudged by the Bathgate defence, but he failed to get it past the keeper.
Whitburn continued to look the most likely to score but were unable to add to their tally and went in at half time with just the one goal lead to show for there efforts.
The second goal came in the 55th minute when Andy Roberts stretched out a leg to direct a through ball from Hannah past Carlin from 10 yards out.
Whitburn were reduced to 10 men in the 60th minute when S.Murphy was shown a straight red card for a misjudged tackle that probably only merited a yellow.
The referee seemed to lose his way somewhat in the second half, and considering the red card shown to J.Murphy, McColligan can consider himself fortunate to only be spoken to for a tackle from behind on Hannah that left the Whitburn man needing treatment before play could continue.
With a couple of minutes remaining Ramage had a great chance to make it three when he broke from halfway and homed in on goal. However he lacked pace and Easton managed to make a great covering tackle at the edge of the box.
The Man of the Match goes to Joe Mbu who was immense in the centre of defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, S.Murphy, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky(D.Moonie), Roberts(Kenny), Ramage. Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was Joe Mbu
10-5-08
League
Whitburn 0 Camelon 3
Half time: 0-2
Last week against Tayport, Whitburn produced one of their best displays of the season. Today they produced one of their worst, against an impressive Camelon side who showed what can be achieved with minimum resources.
The surprise before the game was the omission of Alan Mooney, apparently dropped to the bench as a result of a poor display against Linlithgow in midweek. Following that logic, Joe Mbu is a certainty to miss the game against Bathgate on Monday as he was a fault for Camelon's first two goals.
The first came after just 9 minutes as Mbu attempted to find Ramage with a pass across the back of the defence. It was intercepted by a Camelon forward, but it looked as though he had got away with his mistake as the ball broke back to him. At the second attempt he again tried to find Ramage, this time with a header, but again failed to get the ball past the Camelon player. This time the ball broke to Jim Lister at the left of the box and he wasted no time in slamming it past Walker into the net.
A few minutes before that, Walker had required treatment as he bravely dived at the feet of an opponent as he tried to get on the end of a through ball.
Whitburn responded with a free kick into the box that was knocked on by J.Murphy for Lurinsky, who's attempt on goal was cleared for throw-in. From the throw, the same two players combined, this time J.Murphy heading the ball on for Lurinsky to attempt a header that was easily saved by keeper Hutchison.
Camelon went forward again and Lister had a powerful header from 10 yards saved by Walker after a cross from the left.
In the 25th minute Walker was again called into action, this time diving low to his left to make a good save from Shirra.
Then McLaren outpaced Leiper to a long ball, leaving himself with just Walker to beat, but his shot was weak and straight into the Whitburn keeper's arms.
Camelon went 2-0 ahead on the half hour mark following another mistake from Mbu. He misjudged a long ball upfield and it bounced over him for Graeme McLaren to find the net with a shot on the turn from 12 yards.
Whitburn came close to pulling a goal back in the 44th minute when a D.Moonie corner kick was headed goalwards by Leiper but cleared by a defender on the goal-line.
Nine minutes into the second half, D.Moonie broke through on the left following a through ball from Strickland and had a shot that tested Hutchison who turned the ball round the post for a corner.
Five minutes later S,Murphy hit a powerful left foot shot from the edge of the box that was again pushed away for a corner by Hutchison.
Camelon made sure of the points in the 64th minute with a well worked goal. Lister broke up the left and played the ball across the box where it eventually came to Batchelor who found the far side of the net with a well hit shot back across goal.
With a few minutes remaining, Walker was forced to dive at the feet of Gillespie to block his effort on goal following a corner kick.
With news coming through that Lochee Utd had won against Bathgate, this result effectively killed Whitburn's hopes of winning the league, but of more concern to supporters was not the result but the standard of play which was well below that expected of a team challenging for the Superleague title.
The Man of the Match goes to John Murphy.
Whitburn team : Walker, Mackay(S.Murphy), Ramage(Roberts), Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(A.Mooney), D.Moonie. Subs not used - Carson, Kenny
The Man of the Match was John Murphy
7-5-08
Dechmont Forklift (Brown) Cup quarter final
Linlithgow 3 Whitburn 2 Scorers – J.Murphy, Strickland
Half time: 2-0
Whitburn got off to a great start with a goal after just 5 minutes. Roberts collected the ball on the left of the box and cut inside before having a shot on goal that was blocked by a defender.
The ball broke to John Murphy at the penalty spot and he drove the ball home to give Whitburn the lead.
In the 12th minute J.Murphy was in action again, this time heading the ball clear from a Linlithgow corner kick.
Whitburn then won a free kick 25 yards out on the left of the area. Hannah tried his luck with a shot on goal that was well hit, but a couple of feet too high.
In the 27th minute a pass from Ramage allowed Flanagan to make a run up the right. He beat two defenders and drove into the box, but his shot was blocked by another defender for a corner kick.
Whitburn had been in control for the first half hour, but were to regret their inability to turn this into goals as the game turned in Linlithgow’s favour.
In the 35th minute the home side broke up the left and when the ball was crossed to the far post it was headed back across goal by McArthur for McSween whose header was destined for the top corner before Walker dived to bring off the first of several good saves, pushing the ball away for a team mate to put out for a corner. From the corner McSween again got a head on the ball, this time putting his effort just past.
In the 37th minute Linlithgow broke up the left again, McArthur being tackled by Roberts as he cut inside. McArthur managed to keep possession and his shot from 10 yards was well saved by Walker on the line before being cleared for a throw-in.
McArthur was causing problems for Whitburn on the left, and another cross into the box saw Walker make a good clearing punch.
Linlithgow equalised with a penalty kick in the 39th minute. Grady broke clear on the right of the box and was brought down by Walker who had come from his line to intercept. Brian Carrigan made no mistake from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Two minutes later Linlithgow went ahead when Grady again broke up the right before crossing to the back post for Stuart McArthur to turn home. The move started from a throw-in on the opposite side of the park that was incorrectly awarded to Linlithgow, the ball clearly going out of play off a home player.
Flanagan had picked up an injury in the first half and was replaced by Mackay at half time.
Just a couple of minutes into the second half a free kick from the right went across the face of goal and had to be hooked over the bar for a corner by Leiper. The corner was played to the near post and McArthur got his head to the ball to force Walker into yet another good save.
Midway through the half Roberts was replaced by Strickland as Whitburn tried to get back into the game.
Whitburn came close to equalising in the 78th minute. A.Mooney crossed the ball to Hannah on the right of the box and he played it inside for D.Moonie whose well struck shot from 12 yards forced keeper Pinkowskie to dive to his left to turn the ball round the post.
Linlithgow went 3-1 ahead in the 85th minute when a mix up between Mbu and Walker saw a loose ball inside the box picked up by Grady who passed to Brian Carrigan at the left of the goal to give him an easy tap-in.
With a couple of minutes remaining J.Murphy headed the ball into the goalmouth and a Rose defender headed it against his own bar as he attempted to put it out for a corner. Play went to the other end and a powerful drive from 30 yards beat Walker but crashed down off the bar allowing the Whitburn keeper to gather.
Into injury time and Colin Strickland showed his importance to Whitburn with a well taken goal. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box he stepped past a defender before curling a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to make the final score 3-2, the same scoreline as the recent league game between the sides.
The Man of the Match was goalkeeper Stewart Walker who brought off a string of good saves throughout the game.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan(Mackay), J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts(Strickland), D.Moonie. Subs not used - Carson, Kenny
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker
League
Whitburn 3 Tayport 0 Scorers - Strickland, Roberts, Lurinsky
Half time: 2-0
Whitburn produced one of their best performances of the season to comfortably defeat Tayport and maintain their title challenge.
It took just 5 minutes for Whitburn to create their first chance. A long clearance bounced at the edge of the Tayport box and was missed by Strickland and Tayport keeper Fraser Fitzpatrick who had come off his line. Lurinsky ran on to the loose ball as it bounced towards goal, but just as he was about to tap it into the empty net he was challenged by Morris who managed to get a foot to the ball, allowing Fitzpatrick to recover and collect.
Tayport then had an equally good chance to take the lead when Dean Rennie played a one-two with Kenneth inside the box that left him with just Walker to beat. He placed his effort past the Whitburn keeper but the ball hit the inside of the post and rebounded back into the middle of the goalmouth where Walker was relieved to be able to collect.
Whitburn opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Flanagan sent over an excellent cross from the right that Fitzpatrick flapped at and could only push out as far as Colin Strickland at the edge of the box. Strickland showed great composure in chesting the ball down and volleying it through a crowd of players into the back of the net.
Shortly after that, Strickland pulled up injured as he stretched to make a tackle. He was able to carry on for a short time, but had to be replaced in the 20th minute, Andy Roberts coming off the bench.
Most of the first half was played out in midfield with neither keeper having any serious saves to make, but Whitburn extended their lead in the 40th minute with a well taken goal. D.Moonie showed his speed when he outpaced a defender to run onto a long ball into the corner. Andy Roberts had made a good run into the box and shouted for an early cross which Moonie provided, and the big Whitburn forward made no mistake in sending his looping header from 10 yards over the keeper into the net.
Tayport were awarded a free kick wide on the left just a couple of minutes into the second half. It was sent into the box by Scott, but Leiper rose to head clear.
Whitburn were unlucky not to extend their lead in the 60th minute when a D.Moonie free kick from the right was headed goalwards by Ramage from 10 yards out, but hit the post with the defence beaten, and rolled along the goal line before being cleared.
In the 68th minute another free kick from the right by D.Moonie was again headed goalwards, this time by Roberts, whose header beat the keeper but was cleared by a defender on the goal line.
Leiper came close shortly afterwards when he got his foot to a corner kick from Hannah at the near post and turned the ball towards goal, but it was blocked by a defender for another corner.
In the 80th minute Tayport were reduced to 10 men when Derek Wemyss was ordered off for dissent, having previously received another caution, also for dissent.
Whitburn went 3-0 ahead in the 83rd minute with another well taken goal by Alex Lurinsky. J.Murphy played the ball through to Lurinsky on the left of the box and the Whitburn forward made space for himself before curling a well placed shot into the far side of the net.
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah. Playing out of position at right back he was part of a solid back four, and got forward at every opportunity to keep Tayport on the defensive.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky(S.Murphy), Strickland(Roberts), D.Moonie(Kenny).
Subs not used - Carson
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah
30-4-08
Dechmont Forklift (Brown) cup 2nd round
Arniston 0 Whitburn 1 Scorer - Leiper
Half time: 0-0
With Arniston due to move to a new park, this was the last ever game played at Newbyres Park and It was Whitburn who came out on top thanks to a last minute goal from Colin Leiper.
Arniston had four good chances in the opening period, a header across the face of goal following a corner, a shot from the edge of the box and two chances for their centre forward who found himself on both occasions with just Walker to beat but failed to find the net.
It took until the 20th minute before Whitburn had a serious effort on goal, a shot from Lurinsky from the corner of the box flashing narrowly over the bar following a long ball from Mackay.In the 27th minute s free kick for Whitburn was played to the far post where it was headed back across goal and onto the top of the bar by J.Murphy before rebounding to Roberts whose header was blocked and cleared.
In the 39th minute Roberts had a great chance to open the scoring when the ball came to him on the left of goal. With the keeper out of position and the goal empty his angled shot flashed across goal and out at the far side.
In the 55th minute Lurinsky received the ball outside the box from A.Mooney and hit a low shot through a crowd of players, but saw his effort cleared by a defender a couple of yards from goal.
In the 75th minute substitute D.Moonie cut in from the right before hitting a low shot that was saved by the keeper.
The breakthrough came in the 89th minute, just as it looked as though the game would go to penalty kicks. Hannah took a corner kick from the left and found the head of Colin Leiper who had made a good run across the box to send a glancing header high into the top corner of the net.
The was little time left for Arniston to respond and Whitburn held on to go through to the next round.
The Man of the Match was Joe Mbu who displayed the form that saw him capped for Scotland Juniors the previous week.
Whitburn team : Walker, Mackay, Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan(D.Moonie), Hannah, Lurinsky, Roberts, A.Mooney.
Subs not used - Carson, Kenny
The Man of the Match was Joe Mbu
26-4-08
League
Whitburn 4 West Calder 0 Scorers - Roberts(3), Lurinsky
Half time: 1-0
The first half was a scrappy affair with few clear chances for either team.
Lurinsky tested the goalkeeper with an early header following a run and cross from the byeline from Hannah, but Ferguson got down well to save.
Walker was called into action in the 12th minute to turn a 25 yard free kick by Seaton out for a corner.
Whitburn were forced to make a substitution on the half hour mark when Leiper pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Mackay.
The opening goal came in the 35th minute. J.Murphy took the ball to the left corner before cutting it back to Ramage, and his cross was met perfectly by Andy Roberts who headed the ball past the keeper into the net from 12 yards out.
Whitburn went 2-0 ahead in the 55th minute. S.Murphy played a good diagonal pass from wide on the right to Alex Lurinsky at the left of the box. Lurinsky controlled the ball before sending a curling right foot shot past Ferguson from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net.
Five minutes later it was 3-0 when Andy Roberts got on the end of a Stewart Kenny corner kick to head home at the back post off the underside of the bar.
Roberts almost completed his hat trick in the 65th minute when he stretched to get his foot to a cross from Kenny, but the keeper made a good save to put the ball out for a corner.
Whitburn came close again following a quick break in the 75th minute. Walker threw the ball to Ramage who made a run up the left before passing inside to Lurinsky. The Whitburn forward turned and hit good shot that looked was touched round the post by the keeper, but the referee did not see the save and awarded a goal kick.
West Calder's McLennan was sent off in the 79th minute for his second caution after he pulled Lurinsky down as he was about to run through on goal.
Andy Roberts completed his hat trick in the 88th minute when he had an easy task of slipping the ball home from close range after J.Murphy broke through the middle and laid the ball off for the in-form striker.
The Man of the Match was Andy Roberts who scored a well taken hat trick, and caused problems for the Calder defence, particularly in the second half.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, Ramage, Leiper(Mackay), A.Mooney, S.Murphy, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts, Kenny.
Subs not used - D.Moonie, Carson
The Man of the Match was Andy Roberts
League
Kelty 2 Whitburn 3 Scorers - Hannah(pen), Flanagan, Roberts
Half time: 1-0
Whitburn recorded their first ever victory against a physical Kelty side, and in doing so kept the pressure on Lochee Utd in the race for the title.
Ramage had an early chance for Whitburn when he collected the ball on the left of goal after a free kick from the right. He attempted to go round keeper Fleming, but took the ball too far and was unable to find a team mate with his attempted cut-back.
Midway through the half Flanagan did well to control a cross into the box before placing it past the keeper into the net, but was ruled offside.
Kelty then had a chance when Graeme Findlay crossed from the left and Currie had a first time shot from a good position. However, he miskicked and Walker was able to collect the ball easily.
Five minutes from half time Walker was forced to punch the ball clear. It fell to the edge of the box where it was returned goalwards but deflected for a corner. The corner kick was sent into the goalmouth and missed by several players inside the six yard box before falling to Graeme Findlay who bundled the ball home at the back post to give Kelty the lead.
Worst was to follow for Whitburn when Colin Strickland was on the receiving end of a shocking tackle by Moffat just before half time that left him with a badly gashed leg and unable to continue. He was replaced by Andy Roberts. Amazingly, the referee continued his leniency to Kelty's physical tactics by only producing a yellow card.
Whitburn came out for the second half in determined mood as they went in search of the goals they needed to keep their title bid on course.
The enforced introduction of Andy Roberts just before half time was to prove significant as it was he who won the penalty that brought Whitburn's 59th minute equaliser. Hannah sent in a cross from the right and as Roberts moved to meet the ball he was pushed in the back and a penalty was awarded. Kenny Hannah made an excellent job of converting the kick for his tenth goal of the season.
It was no surprise when Kelty were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute, C.Courts being ordered off for felling Roberts as the Whitburn forward took the ball past him.
Whitburn kept up the pressure and took the lead in the 65th minute. A ball in from the left was met by Ramage whose blocked effort fell to Alan Flanagan who had an easy tap in at the back post.
A couple of minutes later Whitburn went 3-1 ahead when Andy Roberts was in position to tap home the lose ball after Fleming had saved Lurinsky's effort.
Kelty pulled a goal back with 16 minutes remaining when Iain Mauchlen ran onto a ball up the right touchline and sent a spectacular first time effort sailing over the head of Walker into the far side of the net.
With ten minutes remaining Walker did well to cut out a dangerous ball across goal, injuring himself in the process, but he was able to continue after treatment.
Leiper came close with a long range shot from 22 yards after a free kick by A.Mooney was blocked. It fell to the Whitburn defender who beat a couple men before putting his effort just past.
That was the last of the action as Whitburn ran out deserved winners thanks to a battling second half display that hopefully can be repeated in the remaining games.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper who turned in yet another impressive display in defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky(Kenny), Strickland(Roberts), D.Moonie.
Subs not used - S.Murphy, Mackay
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
St Michael's cup 2nd round
Whitburn 0 Broxburn 0 Scorers -
Half time: 0-0
Whitburn progressed to meet West Calder in the next round, winning on penalties after the game finished goalless.
Despite the lack of goals, there were plenty of goalmouth incidents, with Broxburn matching Whitburn for long periods.
The closest either team came to scoring was a shot on the turn by Flanagan in the closing stages that was goal bound, but struck team mate Alex Lurinsky a couple of metres from the goal line when he couldn't get out of the way in time.
The game was decided on penalty kicks with Whitburn scoring five out of five through Strickland, Hannah, Mbu, J.Murphy and Lurinsky. Broxburn's scorers were Chilton, Wilson, Gibson, with Rarity's effort saved by Walker.
The Man of the Match was Colin Strickland.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, S.Murphy(Kenny), Flanagan(Mackay), J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Strickland, D.Moonie(Roberts).
Subs not used - Munro
The Man of the Match was Colin Strickland
League
Whitburn 2 Carnoustie 1 Scorers - Lurinsky(2)
Half time: 1-1
Whitburn started with Lurinsky and Strickland as the front pairing for the first time since the start of December, a return to the successful partnership of the first half of the season, and it paid off as Lurinsky scored both goals in a scrappy game to underline what has been missed during that period.
Carnoustie had an early chance when a cross from the left was met with a diving header by Voigt inside the six yard box that brought out a good reaction save from Walker, but the forward was ruled offside so it wouldn't have counted.
In the 15th minute a through ball put Voigt in on goal after Leiper slipped as he went to intercept, but the player put his shot past the post from a good position at the right of the box.
Carnoustie took the lead a minute later when a high ball into the box was headed down to Darren Smith on the edge of the six yard box and he fired it past Walker into the net.
Whitburn had a couple of good efforts on goal in the 25th minute. A.Mooney picked up the ball on the left and cut along the 18 yard line before hitting a powerful shot that was blocked by a defender in front of goal. The ball fell to D.Moonie on the right of the box and he too struck his shot well, but it was saved by keeper Whyte.
Carnoustie had a great chance in the 40th minute when A.Mooney failed to deal with a ball to the bye-line, allowing Mushin to send in a cross which was met by Collier inside the six yard box, and he should have done better than putting his header over the bar.
Then Voigt sent Conway clear up the left with a good through ball, and Leiper did well to intercept his ball across goal with Collier waiting to pounce.
Carnoustie created another chance a few minutes later when Collier sent a cross in from the left and Mushin got to the ball in front of D.Moonie to direct the ball goalwards. Walker made a good save but couldn't hold the ball, however D.Moonie followed up and made the clearance.
At the other end Strickland tested Whyte with a low shot from the edge of the box that was turned round the post for a corner.
Whitburn equalised right on half time when the ball was driven low into the box by D.Moonie and helped on by Leiper for Alex Lurinsky to turn into the net from close range.
Whitburn went ahead just two minutes into the second half. A good cross from the right by Flanagan was headed goalwards by Ramage but saved by the keeper who looked as though he had the ball but dropped it, allowing Alex Lurinsky to tap the loose ball into the net.
Whitburn had another chance a few minutes later when a cross from the right by Hannah was headed on by Lurinsky for Ramage at the back post, but he was stretching and couldn't direct the ball on target.
In the 54th minute Voigt was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Walker as the keeper collected a ball into the box. Walker required treatment before continuing.
Lurinsky had a great chance to complete his hat trick a minute later after good work by him and Strickland allowed him to break into the left of the box. His angled shot beat the keeper but also went past the far post.
Ramage got on the end of a cross by Flanagan and powered a header goalwards, but it was deflected over for a corner by a defender.
Then substitute Roberts had a good chance after Strickland set the opportunity up for him with a cut back from the bye-line, however he scooped the ball over the bar from six yards out.
Walker was called into action again in the 75th minute, doing well to punch away a dangerous cross from the left.
In the 80th minute Hannah was ordered off for retaliation after being fouled, having earlier received a yellow card for hand ball.
Carnoustie had a couple of chances to equalise as they put Whitburn under pressure in the closing minutes. A ball in from the left was palmed away at full stretch by Walker with a Carnoustie forward waiting at the back post. Then Smith had a free header following a corner kick, but fortunately for Whitburn failed to hit the target.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper who apart from an early slip had another solid game in defence, and played a part in Whitburn's first goal.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan(Mackay), J.Murphy, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, D.Moonie(Kenny).
Subs not used - Munro, S.Murphy
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
29-3-08
East of Scotland cup second round
Lochgelly 0 Whitburn 4 Scorers - Flanagan, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Strickland(pen)
Half time: 1-0
Lochgelly started well and created a couple of decent chances in the opening ten minutes. The first was shot from the edge of the box by Roberts that went just past following a good run and cut-back by Brown. Then four minutes later Forrester had a header from twelve yards following a cross from the right that was again just past with Walker struggling to get across to cover.
In the 14th minute D.Moonie received a pass from Strickland, cut in from the left and hit a good shot from the corner of the box that hit the side netting. Play went immediately to the other end and Brown did well to control a long ball on the run with his chest and run in on goal, but his shot did not match the build up and was sliced wide.
Strickland came close when a high ball was not dealt with by the home defence. The Whitburn forward had time to allow the ball to bounce a couple of times before hitting a dipping shot from the edge of the box that went just over the bar.
On the half hour mark a loose pass by Whitburn in midfield was intercepted by Barratt who put Brown through on goal, and his shot from the edge of the box was saved by Walker on his six yard line.
Having created the best of the scoring opportunities so far, Lochgelly will be disappointed that it was Whitburn who opened the scoring. The goal came in the 31st minute when Strickland crossed from the left and Alan Flanagan rose unmarked inside the six yard box to head home.
Flanagan almost scored a second five minutes later when D.Moonie got to the bye-line and sent in a cross that would have presented an open goal had keeper Rushford not intercepted at full stretch. Flanagan then got on the end of a long kick out by Walker and directed a header goalwards that was again stopped by Rushford.
The game had been played in a strong wind, but five minutes before the interval it started to rain heavily and continued for the remainder of the game, making conditions difficult for players and supporters.
On the stroke of half time Walker did well to get down and hold a ball across the six yard box.
Straight from the kick-off for the second half, Lochgelly were awarded a penalty when Leiper tripped Barratt inside the box. Barratt took the kick himself but Stewart Walker kept Whitburn ahead, diving to his left to push the well struck kick over the bar.
In the 51st minute, Whitburn went 2-0 ahead when a free kick from the left by S.Murphy was headed backwards into the net from the edge of the six yard box by John Murphy.
A minute later J.Murphy spotted Rushford off his line and tried a shot from half way but the keeper managed to get back and save.
Lochgelly then had another shot just wide, this time by Brown after a cross by Barratt from the right.
In the 63rd minute Lochgelly had another good chance when the ball eventually came to Roberts on the left of the area after it had bounced about the Whitburn box, however he blasted it over the bar.
S.Murphy tested the keeper with a well struck free kick from 25 yards after Strickland had been fouled. Rushford did well to make the save but couldn't hold the shot and was helped by a clearance from a team mate.
Whitburn went 3-0 ahead in the 75th minute when Alex Lurinsky was in the right position to tap the ball home after an effort by Flanagan was blocked.
Lochgelly didn't give up and Walker had to make a brave save, diving at his opponents feet in front of goal.
Whitburn went 4-0 ahead from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after Strickland was brought down inside the box by the keeper as he ran onto a long through ball. Colin Strickland took the kick himself and made no mistake in scoring his 16th goal of the season, the same total as Lurinsky.
Roberts had a good chance to score a fifth a couple minutes later when a layoff by Strickland put him through, but he elected to take the ball round the keeper, was forced wide and the chance was lost.
If Lochgelly had been a bit more accurate in front of goal the scoreline would not have been so convincing, but it was a good win for Whitburn in difficult conditions.
The Man of the Match goes to John Murphy who had a good game in midfield and got his name on the scoresheet.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, Ramage, Leiper, A.Mooney, J.Murphy, S.Murphy, Munro(Lurinsky), D.Moonie(Roberts), Strickland, Flanagan(Mbu).
Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was John Murphy
22-3-08
League
Whitburn 2 Linlithgow 3 Scorers - Flanagan, Strickland
Half time: 2-1
This was a much improved display by Whitburn from last week against Bonnyrigg, but still wasn't enough to prevent defeat against a Linlithgow team that was nowhere near their best.
Things started well for Whitburn when they took the lead after just five minutes with a well worked goal. Strickland chased the ball as it was running out of play at the left corner flag and took out a defender with a back-heel to D.Moonie behind him. Moonie sent over an excellent cross to the far post where Roberts headed the ball down for Alan Flanagan to drive it into the net.
The lead didn't last long though, as a bad mistake by Mbu gifted Linlithgow an equaliser in the 11th minute. With Whitburn pushing forward, Rose keeper Logan made a long kick upfield. Mbu looked to have the situation under control as he went to head the ball clear, but misjudged and completely missed the ball. This allowed Gordon Herd a clear run into the box and he made no mistake in slotting the ball past Walker into the net.
In the 32nd minute a corner kick for Linlithgow was played to Grady at the edge of the box and his shot went just past.
Whitburn regained the lead in the 40th minute. A long clearance was collected by Colin Strickland just outside the box, and when the Linlithgow defence stood off him, he made space before finding the bottom left corner of the net with a 20 yard shot.
Whitburn should have gone in at half time with a two goal lead but missed a golden opportunity in the final minute. A high ball was only half-cleared by the Linlithgow defence and fell to Strickland at the edge of the box. His attempted shot was mishit but fell straight to Roberts six yards out in front of goal, leaving him with only keeper Logan to beat. However his effort was too close to the keeper who instinctively stuck out a foot and deflected the ball for a corner.
It took just 5 minutes of the second half for Linlithgow to equalise. A cracking 25 yard shot by number 4 had Walker beaten but bounced down off the underside of the bar. Sean Grady was the first to react and followed up to head the ball into the net from close range.
Strickland had a half chance when he was put through by A.Mooney, but he elected to have an early shot instead of running on, and was well off target.
Linlithgow went ahead from the penalty spot after Robbie Feeney was tripped inside the box by A.Mooney. Feeney took the kick himself and made no mistake.
D.Moonie took a free kick for Whitburn from 20 yards that brought out a good save from Logan. Roberts followed up but was unable to connect with the loose ball.
Linlithgow had a chance to extend their lead when Grady was sent clear by Herd in the 65th minute. The former Bonnyrigg player tried to take the ball round the goalkeeper, but Walker did well to dive at his feet and make the save to deny him.
In the 83rd minute Hannah sent in a dangerous low ball from the right that found Flanagan six yards out in front of goal. However the ball came at him too fast and he was unable to direct it on target.
Whitburn had the ball in the net when it was dropped by Logan from a corner kick. However the referee decided he had been fouled and awarded a free kick.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper.
Whitburn team : Walker, Hannah, A.Mooney, Leiper, Mbu, Ramage, Flanagan, J.Murphy, Roberts, Strickland, D.Moonie(S.Murphy).
Subs not used - Munro.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
League
Bonnyrigg 3 Whitburn 0
Half time: 2-0
Whitburn's hopes of winning the league were dealt a blow by this defeat. The loss of three important points was disappointing, but so was the standard of the performance which fell far below that expected of a team at the top of the league.
The opening period saw half chances at both ends, with first Ramage making an important interception for Whitburn at the edge of the box in a one on one situation in the 3rd minute, then a couple of minutes later J.Murphy having a powerful shot from 20 yards blocked by a Bonnyrigg defender.
Bonnyrigg had a penalty claim waved away when a ball into the box appeared to hit Leiper's hand before going out for a corner, but the referee decided it was unintentional. The corner kick was swung in under the bar and cleared off the line by a Carson.
The turning point of the game came in the 24th minute when Bonnyrigg were awarded a penalty kick when Morrice went down in the box after a push from behind. The kick was taken by John Elliot but hit the base of Walker's right post and went wide. However, the referee decided controversially that Carson had been encroaching and ordered the kick to be retaken. This time Elliot found the net with Walker getting a hand to the ball but unable to stop it. It is ironic that in the corresponding fixture at Whitburn earlier in the season, Bonnyrigg scored with another controversial goal following a penalty kick. On that occasion Walker saved the kick but was unable to prevent Robertson scoring with the rebound despite being clearly inside the area when the kick was taken. Is it too much to ask that referees are consistent in their decisions?
Straight from the restart Whitburn went forward and J.Murphy had a good effort from a Strickland cut-back, but the ball took a deflection and Cantley managed to make the save.
From that point on, Whitburn played like a team that looked as though they had never met before, and few players could be happy with their performance. Up front, Strickland worked away tirelessly, but had little support, and as a result Cantley's goal was never seriously threatened.
On the half hour mark two Rose players were allowed to run onto a through ball from a suspiciously offside position, but Whitburn were rescued by a great save from Stewart Walker.
Whitburn then enjoyed a spell of pressure, but didn't create any clear scoring chances.
Two minutes from the interval, Carson was injured in a tackle and was replaced by Mackay.
Right on half time, Bonnyrigg went 2-0 ahead. A free kick was played into the Whitburn box, but looked as though it would be cleared by Roberts. However, not for the first time, the big Whitburn forward went to ground and didn't make clean contact with the ball which fell to Craig Meikle who wasted no time in steering the ball into the far corner from close range.
Into the second half, Whitburn were caught out when a S.Murphy shot was blocked and the rebound allowed Bonnyrigg to break forward. Mbu made a great covering tackle, but the ball was played back into the box and headed goalwards, but Mackay did well to kick the ball clear from almost on the goal-line.
Whitburn were looking very disjointed at this point and Bonnyrigg came close again when another ball in from the right went across the face of goal but was cleared by a defender at the back post.
It was no more than Bonnyrigg deserved when they went 3-0 ahead in the 65th minute. A one-two at the edge of the box saw the ball being flicked over the Whitburn defence and slotted home by Sean Paliczka from 12 yards with Walker helpless.
The closest Whitburn came to scoring was in the 70th minute when a tremendous 20 yard effort from Strickland was heading for the top right corner before Cantley stretched to get a hand to the ball and put it out for a corner.
A long throw in from A.Mooney was then headed on but cleared by a defender on the goal-line.
Five minutes from time a cross from the left almost caused further problems for Whitburn, but Mbu managed to stretch out a leg despite being grounded, and cleared the danger.
With Camelon and Lochee Utd both winning, this result saw Whitburn slip to third place in the league and makes next week's game against Linlithgow all the more important.
The Man of the Match goes to Joe Mbu who was one of the few players to receive pass marks and made a couple of vital interceptions as Bonnyrigg threatened to add to their tally.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Mackay), Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, S.Murphy(Flanagan), Hannah, J.Murphy, Roberts, Strickland(Munro), A.Mooney.
Subs not used - Munro, D.Moonie
The Man of the Match was Joe Mbu
League
Whitburn 6 Glenrothes 2, Scorers - Ramage, Roberts(2), A.Mooney, Lurinsky, o.g.
Half time: 3-1
There was a minutes applause before the game in memory of former player Andy Muir who died earlier in the week.
Whitburn had the first chance when A.Mooney drove forward on the left and hit a low shot that was saved by Guppy. However, it was Glenrothes who scored first when, in the 5th minute and with Whitburn claiming offside, Nichol broke forward and ran in on Walker. The Whitburn keeper did well to force his opponent wide, but he cut the ball back inside for Ewing to find the net with a well placed shot from the edge of the box.
The equaliser came in the 17th minute following a free kick into the box from the left by Hannah. The ball fell for Iain Ramage, 10 yards out with his back to goal, and the Whitburn captain wasted no time in turning on the spot and firing the ball into the corner of the net.
Another ball into the box by Hannah almost caused problems for Glenrothes keeper Guppy when he had to be alert to tip a header from one of his own players over the bar for a corner. The corner kick from the left was taken by S.Murphy and played to the front post, where Andy Roberts had timed his run perfectly to glance a header into the far corner to give Whitburn the lead.
Ramage had a great chance to extend the lead just a minute later when he was put through on the keeper by Roberts, but sliced his kick from the edge of the box wide of the target.
Midway through the half, Guppy miskicked a clearance straight to Roberts 35 yards from goal. With the keeper out of position Roberts attempted to find the net with a long range effort, but the keeper managed to get back and collect the ball.
Duffy then sent in a dangerous free kick from the right that Carson was happy to turn out for a corner at the near post.
Roberts had a chance in the 28th minute when a long free kick was allowed to bounce through to goal by a defender. Roberts had made a run behind the defence and got a header on target but was unable to beat the keeper. The game then took a curious twist with Glenrothes having two men sent off from what was really a nothing incident. The referee awarded a free kick against Guppy for failing to release the ball inside the six second time allowed, and then sent the keeper off, presumably for comments made in reaction to the free kick award. Several Glenrothes players surrounded the referee and the outcome was Glenrothes being reduced to nine men as Gibson also received a red card. Ewing took over in goal.
With a two man advantage, it was no surprise when Whitburn proceeded to create more scoring opportunities. Hannah sent a ball to the back post from the right for Strickland, but his header from close range went over the bar. Then Strickland came close again with a shot on the turn from 10 yards out that went across goal and out at the far side. Strickland the sent the ball through for Roberts to run on to, but his shot from the edge of the box was weak and easily saved by the stand-in keeper.
Whitburn went 3-1 ahead just before half time when Strickland broke through on goal. He passed on a shooting opportunity and it looked as though the chance had gone as he was forced wide. However he managed to cut the ball back for Andy Roberts to find the net with a low shot from 8 yards out that went under the keeper.
Against a strong wind, Whitburn went 4-1 ahead in the 55th minute. A high ball into the box by Hannah was too close to goal and probably wouldn't have caused problems for a regular keeper, but unfortunately the Glenrothes stand-in keeper, Ewing, misjudged his attempted punch clear and the ball spun goalwards and bounced over the line.
Midway through the half Whitburn created several chances in quick succession. A cross from the right by Hannah was headed back across goal by Ramage for Roberts whose header was just off target. Then Hannah sent in another ball from the right, this time for Strickland, and his first-time shot was goal bound before being blocked. The ball fell to Ramage but he pulled his shot wide of the goal. The D.Moonie took a corner from the left that was met by Roberts who directed a header goalwards, but it was straight at the keeper who made the save. Whitburn finally found the net again in the 78th minute when Alan Mooney found the far corner of the net with a low shot from the left of the box following a one-two with Lurinsky.
Glenrothes pulled a goal back when a long kick out wasn't dealt with by Mbu and fell to substitute Benny Andrew who beat Walker with a well struck shot from the edge of the box.
In the 84th minute Alex Lurinsky completed the scoring after being set up by A.Mooney, with a well placed shot from the left of the box that found the far top corner of the net.
A minute later Duffy went on a great run up the right, beating three Whitburn defenders before cutting into the box, but his shot went well over the bar.
With full time approaching a misplaced pass by Hannah was intercepted by Duffy who saw his shot from outside the box saved by Walker.
With Lochee United's game against Bathgate being off, this was a result that took Whitburn back to the top of the league and keeps the pressure on their main rivals for the title.
The Man of the Match was Scott Murphy who was involved in much of Whitburn's build up play in the middle of the park, and was the most consistent player throughout the game.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Lurinsky), A.Mooney, Leiper(Mackay) Mbu, Ramage, Hannah, S.Murphy, Roberts, Strickland(Trialist), D.Moonie.
Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was Scott Murphy
9-2-08
Fife & Lothians cup 3rd round
Camelon 2 Whitburn 2, Scorers - Hannah, Strickland
Camelon won 5-3 on penalties
Half time: 0-1
Camelon created the first opening when, in the 5th minute, Donnelly cut in from the left and fired a low shot into the side netting from the edge of the box, although Walker had it covered. In the 19th minute good build up play on the left created a shooting chance for Camelon's Barclay who's powerful shot from 22 yards was blocked by S.Murphy and went out for a corner. The corner was played into the centre of the goalmouth and well held by Walker. A couple of minutes later a downward header by Lister was smothered by Walker diving to his right. Play went to the other end and D.Moonie saw his shot deflected but fall kindly for keeper Hutchison to collect.
In the 25th minute S.Murphy had a 25 yard shot that went just past following a clearance from a corner kick, although Hutchison looked to have it covered.
Then a loose back pass almost let Lister in, but Ramage did well to get across and cut out the danger.
Ramage had a good chance to open the scoring in the 34th minute following a cross from the right by Mackay. D.Moonie sliced his goal attempt and the ball ran through to Ramage at the left of the box, but he put his effort from 16 yards past the far post.
Shortly afterwards Lurinsky ran on to a long ball down the right and attempted to lob the keeper who had come off his line, but the effort wasn't high enough and the keeper collected the ball.
Whitburn took the lead in the 40th minute when the keeper could only palm away a D.Moonie corner from the right. The ball fell to Kenny Hannah 16 yards out and he drilled a low shot into the net.
At the other end a corner kick for Camelon went right across the face of goal and out at the far side with a couple of home forwards just failing to connect.
Shortly after half time McLaren got the better of A.Mooney and sent the ball across goal from the left, but Ramage did well to hook the ball clear. Then McLaren again sent in a cross, this time from the right, and Lister should have done better than sending his free header over the bar from 8 yards out.
Camelon equalised in the 59th minute following another costly mistake from Whitburn keeper Walker. They broke from halfway and the ball was cut low into the box from the right. Walker got down well to smother the ball, but let it slip from his grasp and it was stabbed into the net by Graeme McLaren.
Two minutes later Roberts did well when he collected a long ball just outside the area and beat a defender before having a shot that was blocked and cleared for a throw-in.
Camelon took the lead in the 67th minute with a simple goal, the ball being headed home by David Barclay from inside the six yard box following a corner kick from the left, with Whitburn's defence static.
Camelon had a great chance to extend their lead after A.Mooney fell as he tried to clear the ball thirty yards from goal. This allowed Shirra to drive forward and set up Donnelly on the left of the box, but with only Walker to beat he sent his shot past the far post. Then Shirra sent a ball in to the far post where Ramage did well to clear as an opponent tried to get on the end of the cross.
Whitburn equalised in the 83rd minute following a long throw in by A.Mooney. The ball was headed on by Roberts and fumbled by the keeper, falling to Colin Strickland who headed home at the back post, having come on as a substitutes shortly before.
Camelon had a great chance to regain the lead after Whitburn lost possesion, allowing Lister to break up the left. He played the ball to the right and received it back at the left of the box, but failed to control the ball and the chance was lost.
Whitburn came close to scoring as full time approached, again from an A.Mooney throw in that was headed on to Strickland at the far side of the six yard box, but this time he was stretching and couldn't direct his shot on target.
The game ended 2-2 and went to penalty kicks. Camelon scored all 5 of theirs, with Hutchison saving Whitburn's 3rd, taken by A.Mooney, to put Camelon through.
Hopefuly the worst of the weather is now behind us and Whitburn can get back to winning ways in their push for the League title.
On a positive note it was good to see Alan Mooney and Colin Strickland return from injury, with Strickland's talents in the front line being particularly missed, something underlined by his equaliser today.
The Man of the Match this week goes to John Murphy who had an excellent game in midfield.
Whitburn team : Walker, Mackay(Strickland), Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, S.Murphy, Hannah, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts(Carson), D.Moonie(Flanagan).
Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was John Murphy
League
Oakley 2 Whitburn 1, Scorer - J.Murphy
Half time: 1-1
Whitburn missed out on a great opportunity to go five points clear at the top of the league, losing to a team that are fighting relegation. This was Whitburn's first game after being idle for four weeks, and that may have been a factor in their flat performance, although they did create plenty of scoring opportunities.
The first came after just 3 minutes when a S.Murphy free kick was headed goalwards by Ramage and touched over the bar by keeper Stewart for a corner. This set the pattern for the first half as Whitburn proceeded to squander several clear scoring chances, or be denied by the home defence.
In the 11th minute a neat through pass from Flanagan put Lurinsky in on goal with just the keeper to beat, but Stewart was quickly off his line to block the shot.
Against the run of play, Oakley took the lead in the 15th minute with what can only be described as a gift. A high ball into the six yard box didn't look as though it would cause any problems for Walker as he jumped to pick the ball out of the air. However, as he dropped, he bumped one of his own players and dropped the ball on the goal line where Lee Celentano had only to tap the ball into the net.
In the 17th minute S.Murphy crossed from the right and Flanagan glanced a header just past the far post from 10 yards out.
An even better chance fell to the same player shortly afterwards. Whitburn broke up the left and Hannah sent a good low ball across goal. Flanagan had made a run to the back post but got there just too soon and the ball struck his heel and deflected away from goal.
In the 25th minute S.Murphy had a good 30 yard drive that was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
Whitburn equalised in the 35th minute from a corner kick that would not had been given had the referee not overruled his linesman who wrongly flagged for offside as the ball was sent through. The corner kick came to John Murphy at the far side of goal, and he showed good composure to chest the ball down before finding the net with a well controlled shot past a crowd of players.
In the 42nd minute Carson sent in a good cross from the right that found Lurinsky eight yards from goal. However another great chance was lost as the Whitburn forward failed to connect with his header.
On the stroke of half time Roberts laid the ball off for Lurinsky inside the box, but he was off balance and his shot failed to find the target.
Within five minutes of the restart J.Murphy had two attempts on goal from outside the box. The first was easily held by the keeper and the second was off target.
Lurinsky then sent in a good cross from the right that was headed back across goal by Roberts but found nobody in position to take advantage.
Roberts then laid the ball off for S.Murphy to try a shot from 20 yards, but he failed to hit the target.
Having withstood 15 minutes of Whitburn pressure, Oakley broke forward and won a corner kick that came to nothing.
In the 75th minute Oakley's Rushford turned inside the box and got off a shot that lacked power and was easily held by Walker.
With 7 minutes remaining another breakaway by Oakley almost brought a goal as substitute Cusick saw his shot from the edge of the box turned round the post, with a good diving save from Walker.
Whitburn were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, straight in front of goal. It was taken by S.Murphy who is usually dangerous in these situations, but he didn't connect properly with the shot and it was blocked. Oakley broke forward with Cusick and Celentano, but were stopped when S.Murphy tripped Celentano 22 yards from goal to concede a free kick. It was taken by Newbigging and blocked by Ramage who was momentarily winded due to the power in the shot, and the ball went out for a corner.
From the corner kick Oakley went 2-1 ahead in the 85th minute. The ball was played high into the six yard box and Walker rose to gather. However, he dropped the ball again and although making a good block from the first shot, could do nothing to stop the loose ball being driven into the net at the second attempt by Scott Lammie.
This appeared to give Whitburn a sense of urgency that had been lacking throughout the game and they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Ramage was played through by Hannah inside the box, but took too long to get a shot away and lost the chance. Into injury time and Leiper had a good effort touched over for a corner by the keeper.
The Man of the Match this week was Colin Leiper who had another impressive game in central defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, S.Murphy, Lurinsky, Roberts, Hannah.
Subs not used - Maley, Mackay.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
15-12-07
East of Scotland cup first round
Thornton Hibs 1 Whitburn 3, Scorers - Lurinsky, Roberts, Hannah(pen)
Half time: 1-2
It didn't take Whitburn long to get going and they took the lead after just 12 minutes. Roberts received the ball from a Flanagan throw-in, and showed good footwork to beat two men at the right side of the box. He then cleverly flicked the ball over a couple of defenders in the six yard box to Alex Lurinsky at the back post, and he had an easy header to open the scoring.
Thornton won a free kick wide on the right that was sent to the far post where number 5 was waiting, but Ramage managed to get his head to the ball to put it out for a corner. Number 4 then had an effort from 25 yards that was comfortably saved by Walker.
Thornton's pressure paid off when they equalised in the 25th minute. In a packed Whitburn penalty box an initial shot was blocked but fell nicely to Graeme Dursley at the edge of the box, and he found the bottom corner of the net with a well placed low drive.
Shortly afterwards, the same player almost scored again when his shot from 25 yards took a big deflection, wrong-footing Walker who was happy to see the ball go just past for a corner.
Whitburn came back into the game and came close to regaining the lead in the 30th minute following a good move up the left. D.Moonie crossed the ball into the box where it was played on by Lurinsky to Flanagan, and his shot was saved on the line and put out for a corner.
Whitburn went 2-1 ahead in the 35th minute following a mistake in the Thornton defence. With no immediate danger the defender lost control of the ball, allowing Andy Roberts to gain possession and run through on the keeper before finding the net with a well controlled shot from 12 yards.
Thornton went forward again and number 7 brought out a good diving save from Walker with a well struck 25 yard shot.
Whitburn were forced to make a substitution in the 40th minute, with Scott Murphy replacing the injured D.Moonie.
Whitburn came close to extending their lead just before half time. S.Murphy sent in a good diagonal pass to Lurinsky who played the ball to Roberts at the edge of the box, and the big Whitburn forward was unlucky to see his chip beat the keeper but come back off the bar.
There were chances at both ends in the closing minutes of the half. First Flanagan sent in a tempting cross from the right that was headed away by a defender from almost on the goal line. Then at the other end Dursley sent in a dangerous cross from the right that Walker got to just before number 10 who then fouled the Whitburn keeper unnecessarily.
Shortly after half time Lurinsky did well to get clear of his opponent just inside the Thornton half, only to be pulled back, his shirt almost being pulled off in the process. Amazingly the referee only spoke to the player, one of many poor decisions he made during the game.
In the 50th minute S.Murphy had a good 25 yard shot that the keeper couldn't hold, but with no other player near, he was able to gather the loose ball.
Walker was called into action again, this time to punch the ball away from almost under the bar following a corner kick.
J.Murphy was the booked for a push on an opponent as they challenged for the ball, another inconsistent decision by the referee given that he had totally ignored two more obvious pushes by home players inside the Whitburn box just minutes previously.
In the 60th minute Walker had to be alert to smother a dangerous cross from the left with two Thornton players waiting for any slip up.
Whitburn were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute. Hannah played a good ball through for S.Murphy on the right of the box who was blatantly barged to the ground by number 6 who made no attempt to play the ball. In keeping with his performance, the referee decided it was not worthy of a booking, despite it being a much more serious offence than that which saw J.Murphy booked. Kenny Hannah took the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to make the score 3-1 to Whitburn.
In the 75th minute Flanagan had a header from the penalty spot that went just past the post following a cross by Mackay.
With 10 minutes remaining, Thornton's number 11 was sent off for a bad challenge on Roberts near the touchline.
Thornton then had a possible claim for a penalty when one of their player's looked like he was impeded as the ball was crossed into the box, but nothing came of it. Number 7 then sent in a free kick to the six yard box where it was headed goalwards by number 5, but blocked for a corner.
Dursley then sent in a ball from the right for number 10 to head goalwards from 18 yards, and it was destined for the top corner until Walker got a hand to the ball to push it away.
With 5 minutes remaining Roberts brought out a good diving save from the keeper when he hit a shot on the turn from 10 yards after a knock down from J.Murphy.
Hannah then had a curling effort from the left corner of the box that was pushed round the post by the keeper for a corner. From the corner, the ball came to Hannah again, this time 25 yards out from goal, and his powerful drive was touched over for another corner.
With a couple of minutes left Dursley went past three Whitburn defenders and into the box, but just as he was about to shoot, Leiper came across to take the ball off him and clear the danger.
The Man of the Match for the third game in succession is Colin Leiper. He had another excellent game in defence, something that will give the coaches a selection dilemma when Alan Mooney is fit again.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Mackay), Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Roberts, D.Moonie(S.Murphy).
Subs not used - Maley, Taylor.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
League
Whitburn 1 Kelty Hearts 2, Scorer - S.Murphy
Half time: 0-1
Kelty had a couple of early chances, both coming from through balls that caught out the Whitburn defence. The first, after just two minutes was intercepted at the edge of the box by Mbu to prevent an opponent having a clear run in on goal. The second, in the 10th minute, saw Mauchlen latch on to the ball and lob Walker from the edge of the box, but the effort was just too high and landed on the top of the net.
At the other end a couple of minutes later, Hannah had a shot from the edge of the box but it was easily held by Fleming.
Whitburn came close when a ball into the Kelty box was only cleared as far as D.Moonie, and his effort from just outside the box was tipped over by Fleming for a corner.
An even better chance fell to Whitburn shortly afterwards when a long kick out was misjudged by the Kelty defence and headed on by Roberts. It left Flanagan with just the keeper to beat, but Fleming was quickly off his line to block the shot.
Mbu caused problems for his team mates when his pass across the defence was intercepted, forcing Ramage to give away a free kick in a dangerous position, but it sent well over the bar by Currie.
Kelty took the lead in the 31st minute with a goal that came from a mistake caused by the conditions. A hopeful through ball from McDowall for R.Smart looked to be covered by Walker as he rushed from his line. However, the Whitburn keeper slipped and the ball skidded past him, presenting Russell Smart with the easy task of walking the ball into the empty net.
Two minutes later Currie fired in a cross from the right that went across the face of goal with nobody able to get on the end of it.
In the 40th minute a long ball upfield was collected by McDowall outside the box. Walker came off his line to close the player down but slipped around the penalty spot presenting McDowall with a shooting opportunity. However, the Whitburn keeper recovered and got to his feet in time to make a good diving save. In the last minute of the half D.Moonie drove past a couple of defenders into the box and crossed to the back post where the ball was headed out by a defender for a corner kick. From the corner the ball came to S.Murphy, a substitute for the injured Lurinsky, at the edge of the box and his effort was on target but deflected for another corner that came to nothing.
Kelty were nearly presented with an early chance when Walker slipped as he received a pass-back from Mbu. A Kelty forward almost got clear but Walker managed to punch the ball away from his position on the ground to prevent another walk-in goal.
Then a misplaced pass by S.Murphy allowed Kelty to break, but Ramage came to the rescue with a well timed tackle inside the area.
Currie then made a run up the right before having a shot from 30 yards that went just past Walker's right post.
Whitburn had a great chance to equalise when a great cross from the right by Hannah picked out Roberts at the far post, but his diving header from 5 yards out was off target.
Kelty went 2-0 ahead in the 59th minute with another goal that had a bit of good luck about it. A speculative high ball from wide on the left deceived Walker and came back off the bar. With Walker grounded the loose ball was slammed into the net by Dennis Currie.
Whitburn pulled a goal back in the 80th minute when another cross from the right by Hannah was only cleared as far as Scott Murphy, and he found the bottom corner of the net with a well controlled drive from 20 yards.
Whitburn kept up the pressure in search of an equaliser and S.Murphy came close again with a left foot shot form the corner of the box that went just past the far post.
That was to be Whitburn's last chance, and the end of their nine game winning run in the league.
The Man of the Match this week was Colin Leiper.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan(Maley), Hannah, Lurinsky(S.Murphy), Roberts, D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Mackay.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
Scottish Cup third round
Glenafton 1 Whitburn 0, Scorers -
Half time: 0-0
In what is becoming an annual event, Whitburn have been knocked out of the Scottish cup before Christmas. There was little between the teams, and it took a great strike to break the deadlock, but that will be no consolation to Whitburn and their supporters.
In the 6th minute a high ball from the right from McGregor was misjudged by Carson and dropped behind him to Agnew, but he failed to take advantage of the mistake.
Howie then beat Ramage on the right and sent in a cross, but Walker was there to save at the edge of the six yard box.
Whitburn came close to taking the lead in the 12th minute when a cross from the right by Strickland was headed down by J.Murphy, but keeper Matthews got down to touch the ball round the post for a corner.
Four minutes later Agnew tried a low shot from the edge of the box that was well held by Walker, then Whalen had a shot on the turn that was deflected over the bar for a corner. Leiper then put in a good tackle at the edge of the box as his opponent attempted to turn him.
Having withstood this spell of pressure from Glenafton, Whitburn went forward and Strickland, Hannah and D.Moonie all had shots blocked in quick succession.
Hannah then sent a good ball through for D.Moonie on the left, and he beat his opponent but his attempted cross was blocked for a corner.
In the 32nd minute a dangerous cross from the right by Strickland was sliced over the bar by a defender for another corner.
At the other end Howie had a good effort from 30 yards that was touched over the bar by Walker.
Strickland then received the ball from a throw in and tried a shot on the turn from the corner of the box, but it dipped just over the bar.
Lurinsky sent the ball in from the right for Strickland who turned his opponent and got a shot away, but it was deflected behind by a defender.
Whitburn ended the half on the offensive, with a high ball from D.Moonie being punched down by Matthews before being cleared by a defender, then Lurinsky played the ball in from the left for Ramage who was just beaten to it by a defender.
Glenafton were first on the attack in the second half and a weaving run into the box by substitute number 15 was halted by a good tackle from Ramage.
Carson then made a good clearing header inside the six yard box after a cross from the right.
J.Murphy came close for Whitburn when he cut inside from the right and curled the ball towards the top corner from 22 yards, but it was just too high.
Two minutes later, in the 53rd minute, Glenafton scored what was to be the only goal of the game. A high ball was headed clear by Mbu but fell straight to Chic Connolly who ran forward a few yards before unleashing a cracking drive from 20 yards that flew into the top corner of the net, with Walker unable to get near it.
Whitburn went forward, and when the ball fell to Hannah following a corner kick, he tried his luck with a long range effort that was well over the bar.
Glenafton had a great chance to increase the lead after Ramage lost the ball in midfield allowing Connolly break up the right. The ball was crossed into the box and came to Whalen who was totally unmarked at the back post, and he collected the ball but blasted it past from eight yards.
Whitburn won a free kick outside the box that was taken by Carson. His first shot was blocked by the wall but fell back to him and his second effort was deflected for a corner. Leiper got his head to the corner kick but could only direct the ball over the bar.
Hannah then crossed from the left and J.Murphy flicked the ball goalwards with his head, but it went just past the far post.
Glenafton tried to catch Whitburn on the break but were halted by a good covering tackle from Mbu. The ball broke to a home player on the right and he sent in a low ball that Walker did well to get down to and collect.
Whitburn had half-hearted claims for a penalty waved away in the 80th minute after Lurinsky went down in the box as he tried to get to a cross by Hannah. Whitburn had a half chance when a throw in from the right was headed on towards the back post where Lurinsky tried an overhead kick that was off target, with Ramage in a better position behind him had he let the ball run. As full time approached, Whitburn maintained pressure on the Glenafton defence, and Flanagan had a shot on the turn that was blocked but fell to Lurinsky, and his effort from a tight angle was also blocked.
That was to be Whitburn's last chance as they failed to live up to their pre-match billing as bookies favourites, and they will be disappointed that they did not play anywhere near the standards they have set in recent games.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper. He gave little away against difficult opponents, which is made all the more impressive with it being his first start since August.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Leiper, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(Roberts), D.Moonie(S.Murphy).
Subs not used - Maley, Mackay.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
24-11-07
Fife and Lothian's Cup second round
Whitburn 5 Dundonald Bluebell 2, Scorers - Lurinsky(3), Strickland, Flanagan
Half time: 2-0
Dundonald had the advantage of playing with a strong wind at their backs in the first half, but it was Whitburn who created the first chance when Strickland collected the ball at the corner of the box and went past a couple of defenders before having a shot that was deflected for a corner by a defender inside the six yard box.
In the 10th minute Dundonald broke upfield and the ball was played across the box for Budd to have a shot that Walker got down to save.
Whitburn took the lead in the 13th minute. Lurinsky put J.Murphy through on goal with a short pass from the edge of the box. Murphy's effort was cleared by a defender, but fell to Colin Strickland and he took the ball past an opponent before placing it into the top left corner of the net.
Strickland then took a low free kick from the edge of the box but it lacked power and keeper R.Connor managed to hold the effort.
Dundonald were unlucky not to equalise in the 25th minute when they caught Whitburn out by taking a quick free kick. The ball was played up the left before being sent into the box where Ferguson got to the ball just before Walker, but the Whitburn keeper managed to deflect the shot with his foot and the ball struck the top of the post and bounced clear. Dundonald then came close again when D.Moonie failed to control the ball, presenting Traub with a shooting opportunity, but again Walker came to the rescue, blocking the shot and grabbing the loose ball on the line. On the half hour mark Traub sent the ball in from the right for Matusik inside the six yard box, but Carson made a great saving tackle to put the ball out for a corner.
At the other end Strickland played a good diagonal pass to Flanagan on the right and he cut it back to Hannah at the edge of the box, but the midfielder's effort was too high. Flanagan then put in another ball from the right, this time for Strickland, and his snap shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Connor.
Having survived some good Dundonald scoring chances, Whitburn went 2-0 ahead a minute from the break. Lurinsky flicked the ball over the defence for D.Moonie who took the ball past the keeper but saw his shot from the right corner of the six yard box cleared off the line. It fell to Alex Lurinsky who had followed up and he put the ball into the net from close range.
Three minutes into the second half Whitburn had a great chance to extend their lead. Strickland did well to turn his opponent and make space for himself 8 yards from goal, but instead of having a shot chose to lay the ball off for Lurinsky on his left, but he was ruled offside.
Flanagan did well on the right before laying the ball back to Carson who had a good effort from 25 yards that was heading for the top left corner, but the keeper managed to get across to make the save.
With Whitburn pushing forward, Dundonald broke up the middle and Walker was again called into action to stop a shot from Westwater with his feet. Dundonald then had another breakaway chance, Traub playing the ball across goal for Ferguson, but again Walker was there, saving bravely to put the ball out for a corner.
Having shown how dangerous they could be on the break, it was no surprise when Dundonald pulled a goal back in the 60th minute from another breakaway. This time the ball was cut back from the right and Paul McQuade slammed the ball into the net from 14 yards to bring to an end Whitburn's run of six clean sheets.
Two minutes later Whitburn almost restored their two goal advantage when Connor mis-kicked a passback straight to Lurinsky, but the keeper recovered to save Lurinsky's effort at the edge of the six yard box.
The third goal was only delayed a couple of minutes though, as Whitburn scored again in the 65th minute. Flanagan laid the ball back for Carson who hit a powerful low shot from 20 yards that Connor got down to his left to stop, but couldn't hold. Alan Flanagan was onto the loose ball in a flash and squeezed it between the keeper and the post from a tight angle.
Straight from the restart Dundonald went forward and when a cross came in from the left, Matusik was very unlucky to see his diving header from twelve yards come crashing back off the crossbar before being cleared.
Play was going from end to end, and it was Whitburn's turn to come close when Flanagan made space inside the box for a shot that was deflected over the bar for a corner.
Back to the other end and Mbu came to Whitburn's rescue with a great covering tackle to stop Budd getting clear.
Play went straight back to the Dundonald end and when the ball came to Alex Lurinsky on the left of the box in the 68th minute, he cut inside before curling the ball into the far corner of the net to make the score 4-1.
Whitburn scored again in the 75th minute. Hannah played the ball to Alex Lurinsky on the left of the box, and in a carbon copy of his last goal, he cut inside before placing the ball into the far corner of the net for his second hat-trick of the season.
Credit to Dundonald, they didn't give up, and pulled a goal back when a good through ball took out the Whitburn defence allowing Paul McQuade to take the ball past Walker before side-footing the ball into the net to make the score 5-2.
Dundonald's Traub was sent off with 6 minutes remaining for a bad tackle on Jamie Mackay.
D.Moonie had a late chance when he ran clear of the defence from the centre circle, but was closed down and unable to get a shot on target.
The Man of the Match was Alex Lurinsky who scored a hat trick and made sure the Dundonald defence were never able to relax.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Mackay, Mbu, J.Murphy(Leiper), Flanagan(S.Murphy), Hannah, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Maley.
The Man of the Match was Alex Lurinsky
League
Lochee United 0 Whitburn 1, Scorer - Lurinsky
Half time: 0-0
The game of the day in the Superleague saw Whitburn visiting Lochee knowing a win would take them to the top of the table. However it was Lochee United who were first to threaten when, in the first minute, Hagen took a corner kick that was headed clear by D.Moonie.
Whitburn had a great chance to take the lead in the 4th minute. J.Murphy played the ball into the left of the box for D.Moonie who in turn sent it across the face of goal to the back post, where Flanagan had made a good run to get on the end of the pass. However he was stretching and didn't make clean contact, and the ball went wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.
Lochee then had an even better scoring opportunity when they caught Whitburn on the break, Cargill sending the ball through the right for Hardie to have a clear run on goal. Walker came out to narrow the angle and the Lochee player drove the ball past him but wide of the far post.
At the other end Strickland collected the ball at the edge of the box and had a shot that was deflected by one of his team mates, wrong-footing keeper Ross who was glad to see the ball go narrowly past. Lurinsky then sent a ball in from the right that was sliced by a defender in front of goal as he tried to clear, and went out for a corner.
Mbu then did some great defensive work when he was left one on one with Blackwood. He forced his opponent wide before taking the ball off him and clearing up field. Lochee immediately came forward again and Cargill tried his luck with a low shot from outside the area that was saved by Walker.
The Whitburn keeper was then called into action again, coming out to punch clear a high ball into the box.
Five minutes before half time J.Murphy did well on the right before setting up Carson for a low shot that lacked power and was easily held by Ross.
The last action of the first half was at the Lochee end, Strickland receiving the ball from a throw in and sending the ball into the box with an overhead kick where it was met by Lurinsky who also tried an overhead kick, but his effort was off target.
Lochee had an early chance in the second half, Blackwood picking up a loose clearance and sending the ball to the back post where it was met by Hagen who attempted a looping header over Walker. However, the Whitburn keeper managed to get a hand to the ball to keep the score blank.
Slack play in midfield by Mbu saw Whitburn lose possession, the ball eventually coming to Middleton in space on the left of the box, but he blasted wide from a good position.
Lochee were on top at this point and created another good chance after Ramage slipped, allowing Hardie to go past him before passing the ball inside for Middleton who put the ball just past, although he was ruled offside anyway.
Whitburn took the lead in the 54th minute following a good move up the left. J.Murphy sent D.Moonie away and he beat his opponent before sending the ball to the near post where Alex Lurinsky was first to the ball. His first effort was blocked on the line by Ross, but he was able to stab the rebound over the line for his first league goal.
Hagen then drove into the box from the left and sent the ball across goal where it was pushed away by Walker. The ball was sent high back into the box and again Walker was there to punch clear.
Midway through the half Lurinsky laid the ball off for J.Murphy to have a shot from 25 yards, but it well over the bar.
Lochee created another couple of chances, first Middleton sending the ball into the box where Hay had a header that was over the bar from 8 yards.
They had an even better chance to level the score when substitute Robertson cut inside from the right and made space inside the box, before trying a left foot shot that lacked power and was easily held by Walker.
A couple of minutes later Strickland did well to control the ball in midfield before sending Flanagan clear on the right. The Whitburn winger broke into the right of the box, but his attempted cutback was intercepted and the danger was cleared.
Walker was in action again, punching clear a corner kick that then fell to Cargill outside the box. He had a good low drive, but Walker was quickly down to save and take the pressure off the defence.
As the game entered injury time, Lochee were awarded two free kicks just outside the area. The first was powerfully struck by Daly, forcing Walker to make the save of the match, reacting brilliantly to direct the ball over for a corner. The second kick was more central but this time was sent well over the bar. That was the last action of the game, and so Whitburn took over from Lochee at the top of the table.
The Man of the Match was goalkeeper Stewart Walker who had another excellent game, underlined by his top class save in injury time to make sure Whitburn took the points.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(Mackay), D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Leiper, Roberts, Maley.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker
League
Whitburn 5 Oakley 0, Scorers - Hannah(2), Flanagan, Strickland, D.Moonie
Half time: 2-0
This was the kind of fixture that has caused Whitburn problems in the past, dropping points to teams in the relegation zone, but there was never any danger of an upset today as Whitburn controlled the match from the start.
The first chance fell to Whitburn in the 10th minute. S.Murphy won the ball in midfield and sent it down the left for D.Moonie who's cross found Lurinsky clear in front of goal. However the Whitburn forward did not connect cleanly and the ball was easily taken by keeper Stewart.
A minute later Lurinsky laid the ball off for Hannah to drive the ball across goal from outside the box. D.Moonie managed to make connection with the ball at the back post but was unable to put it on target.
Oakley's Cusick almost broke through on goal in the 14th minute but was crowded out by Hannah and Walker. The Whitburn keeper then attempted to throw the ball to a team mate but it was intercepted by an opponent, but fortunately for Whitburn his attempted lob went over the bar.
A minute later Whitburn took the lead. Ramage played the ball into the middle where Flanagan and Lurinsky exchanged passes to set up a chance for Alan Flanagan. His first effort was blocked, but he collected the rebound and slotted it home from close range.
Oakley responded, and Celantano tried a long range shot that was well over the bar. Then Carberry broke into the left of the box and had a low shot that was held by Walker.
Strickland had a shot on goal after receiving a pass from S.Murphy. He cut into the box from the right, but Stewart was off his line quickly and held the effort easily.
There was then a period when had several misplaced passes. First it was S.Murphy who's pass was intercepted, allowing Oakley to break, but Mbu came to his rescue, intercepting the ball into the box. Then Mbu himself and Ramage played a couple of loose balls out of defence. The ball was eventually sent into the box by Bannatyne where Lammie had a header but put it over the bar.
Oakley then won a free kick on the right that was taken by Ward who sent the ball across goal, but nobody got on the end of the cross and it went out at the far side for a goal kick.
In the 28th minute Whitburn went 2-0 ahead, ironically after a misplaced pass by the Oakley keeper. D.Moonie intercepted the pass on the left of the park and ran forward before crossing the ball into the box. Lurinsky laid the ball off for Kenny Hannah who had an easy task of putting the ball into the net.
Oakley created a chance following a free kick from the left. It was played to the far side where Bannatyne sent it back across goal giving Celantano a free header but he failed to find the target, although he was ruled offside in any case.
Oakley started the second half brightly and enjoyed a spell of pressure that almost brought a goal in the 53rd minute. Cusick got on the end of a through ball on the left of the box, and did well to bring the ball under control before hitting a left foot shot that was blocked away for a corner by Walker who was quickly off his line. From the corner kick the ball was headed goalwards but cleared off the line.
Ward then sent in a free kick from the left that was headed clear by Mbu.
Oakley almost pulled a goal back in the 58th minute when a looping header by Lammie beat Walker but came back off the crossbar. It fell for Celantano and his shot was blocked on the line by the Whitburn keeper who then managed to collect the loose ball.
With Oakley pushing forward they were caught out by a long clearance from defence. It was controlled well by D.Moonie on the left who sent the ball across goal for Strickland who's shot beat the keeper but was stopped by a defender as it headed goalwards.
Whitburn were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute after Lurinsky was brought down inside the box by Thompson after he ran onto a good through ball from Strickland. The kick was well taken by Colin Strickland to make the score 3-0.
Whitburn went 4-0 ahead in the 74th minute following another loose clearance out of defence by Oakley. It was picked up by Strickland who sent it across goal into the path of Darren Moonie who sent a well controlled shot into the net from 12 yards.
A.Mooney then had a great effort from 35 yards out that was heading for the top corner until keeper Stewart dived to touch the ball round for a corner.
Oakley's Lammie had a low shot from the edge of the box, but it lacked power and was easily held by Walker.
Two Whitburn substitutes combined to create a chance, Mackay's deep cross from the right finding Roberts at the back post, but his header went across goal and out at the far side.
Whitburn completed the scoring with a few minutes remaining. A long ball out of defence was laid off by Roberts for Strickland who in turn laid it into the path of Kenny Hannah who had made a run from midfield to strike a 25 yard shot that found the net off the inside of the post.
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah who scored two goals and turned in an impressive display in midfield.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Mackay), Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, S.Murphy(J.Murphy), Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Leiper.
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah
3-11-07
Scottish Cup second round
Whitburn 3 Crossgates Primrose 0, Scorers - Hannah, Ramage, Strickland
Half time: 1-0
Despite playing below their best, Whitburn progressed to the third round courtesy of three headed goals.
It didn't take long for Whitburn to create the first opening, Strickland playing the ball through for Flanagan, but his cutback from the bye-line was headed clear. In the 10th minute Lawrie for Crossgates was allowed a free header from a corner kick, but there were defenders in position to block the effort and clear the danger. Two minutes later Whitburn came close to opening the scoring when S.Murphy played a free kick to Carson, and his low shot from 25 yards out beat the keeper but came back off the base of the post.
The opening goal was only delayed a few minutes though, as Whitburn took the lead in the 15th minute. Iain Ramage did well to bring the ball down on the left touchline and hold off an opponent before making a run up the left that ended with a cross that Paul Taylor would have been proud of, straight to the head of Kenny Hannah at the far post, and his well controlled header back across goal gave keeper Aaron Gillespie no chance.
Shortly after that there was a scare for Whitburn when a pass out of defence by Mbu was intercepted allowing Crossgates the chance to come forward, but the opportunity was lost when the final pass found a man in an offside position.
Hannah and Lurinsky then combined well to set up a chance for Strickland midway through the half, but his shot from just outside the box was well over the bar.
In the 28th minute a corner kick for Crossgates resulted in another header that caused some problems for Walker as he dived low to push Pagliarulo's effort away at his left post.
Ramage then had a shot on the turn following a good through ball from D.Moonie, but it was blocked by a defender and went out for a corner.
In the final five minutes of the half Gillespie was called into action to make two similar saves, diving to his left to turn the ball out for corner kicks. The first was to stop a 25 yard drive from A.Mooney after he had been set up by Hannah, the second, a couple of minutes later, was a free kick by Strickland from the left corner of the box that was heading for the bottom corner.
Ten minutes into the second half S.Murphy tried his luck with a 25 yard drive that was well hit, but easily saved by the keeper.
Crossgates pushed Whitburn back for a spell, but didn't seriously threaten Walker's goal. From a throw in, Lejman received the ball and tried a shot from 25 yards out that was well over the bar.
Whitburn almost scored a second goal in the 61st minute following good work involving Lurinsky, S.Murphy and Flanagan, the latter's cross from the right taking a deflection of a defender and hitting the junction of post and crossbar and going across the face of goal with keeper Gillespie wrong-footed.
D.Moonie then played a corner kick to S.Murphy and received the ball back before cutting into the box and hitting a shot that was on target, but blocked by Lawrie.
Whitburn hit the woodwork again when S.Murphy played the ball to Hannah and his shot from 30 yards went over off the top of the bar.
The second goal came in the 75th minute when a cross from the right by Flanagan was met by Iain Ramage who rose above everybody to head powerfully home from 10 yards.
A minute later Crossgate's substitute Ogg had a shot on the turn that Walker was happy to watch go over the bar. The same player then took advantage of a slip by Mbu in the centre of the field that allowed him to run in on goal, but the Whitburn defender recovered and managed to get back to prevent the player getting a shot away.
In the 89th minute Roberts had a good chance following a pass into the box from Hannah. He did well to control the ball and go past the defender, but sent his shot from 10 yards over the bar.
The final goal came in the 90th minute following good work on the right by Roberts that resulted in a free kick for Whitburn. It was taken by Taylor and he picked out Colin Strickland at the far post, giving the Whitburn forward the simple task of heading the ball into the net.
The Man of the Match was Iain Ramage. He set up the first goal, scored the second, and drove forward at every opportunity.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, S.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, D.Moonie(Taylor).
Subs not used - Maley, Leiper.
The Man of the Match was Iain Ramage
27-10-07
League
Whitburn 4 Bathgate 0, Scorers - Strickland(3(1 pen)), Flanagan
Half time: 0-0
The first half was a poor contest, played out mainly in midfield, and clear scoring chances were few.
In the opening minutes D.Moonie received the ball in space on the left of the box and managed to get in a shot but was closed down and the attempt was blocked. At the other end a cross from the left came to Bathgate's Harvey in space inside the box, but he failed to control the ball and the chance was lost.
In the 20th minute S.Murphy tried a low shot from 20 yards that was easily held by Bathgate keeper Carlin.
On the half hour mark Bathgate broke down the right and Wilson sent in a good cross that Mbu did well to head clear, with two opponents in space behind him.
In the 35th minute Ramage went on a got run that ended with his 20 yard shot being blocked away for a throw-in. From the throw, J.Murphy played the ball to Strickland at the edge of the box with his back to goal. The Whitburn forward did well to chest the ball down and hit a shot on the turn that everyone in the park saw the keeper tip over the bar, but the referee and his assistant awarded a goal kick.
A couple of minutes from half time, good passing play in midfield set up Lurinsky for a shot from the edge of the box that was again tipped over by Carlin, this time a corner being given. From the corner kick a shot from Strickland was scrambled off the goal line and cleared.
The game had developed a few niggles, and just before half time Stephen Docherty of Bathgate was ordered off following a tackle, having been booked previously.
Bathgate assistant coach was ordered away from the technical area at half time for comments he made to the referee as the teams left the field. Whitburn made a double substitution at half time, Mackay replacing Mbu who had been injured, and Flanagan replacing S.Murphy who had been booked in the first half and was sensibly taken off as a precaution.
Whitburn had the advantage of the strong wind in the second half, but it was Bathgate who almost took the lead when D.Moonie lost possession at half way and the visitors broke forward. However the ball across goal found no takers and went out for a goal kick.
Whitburn were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute after Strickland was brought down by Hunter as he ran onto a pass from Lurinsky. Colin Strickland took the kick himself and scored confidently from the spot.
Bathgate went straight forward from the kick off and a dangerous cross came in from the left, but again there was no Bathgate player in position to take advantage.
Whitburn went ahead in the 60th minute following a mistake by Hunter. Carson played the ball forward towards the right of the box, but it looked as though Hunter would intercept. However he let the ball slip under his foot and it ran through for Colin Strickland who wasted no time in turning and striking the ball past Carlin from 12 yards on the right of goal.
Lurinsky then did well to beat his opponent on the left before sending the ball over for Flanagan, but it was cut out by a defender.
Whitburn were well in control at this point and had another effort on goal, this time from a free kick, but Strickland's shot was easily held by Carlin.
Strickland and Lurinsky then combined to put Lurinsky through on goal, but his attempt from the left of goal was never troubling Carlin.
Whitburn won another free kick that was sent into the box and directed goalwards but cleared off the line.
Bathgate's were becoming more frustrated as the game progressed and as a result losing their discipline, and it was no surprise when they had a second player sent off, Scott Bannerman receiving a second yellow card and joining Docherty in the dressing room. Bathgate also had another 6 players cautioned during the game.
With eight minutes remaining Bathgate had a chance to get back into the game when they won a free kick 22 yards out in front of goal, but it was blasted over the bar by McGrillen.
Whitburn went 3-0 ahead when Ramage broke up the left before sending the ball inside where it was dummied by Strickland and ran through to Alan Flanagan. His first shot was blocked but the ball fell nicely for him and he made no mistake in driving his second effort into the net.
With a couple of minutes remaining Whitburn scored again. Hannah played the ball through to D.Moonie on the left, and he crossed it into the box where Colin Strickland hit the ball first time from the edge of the box. It struck the underside of the bar and bounced down, but the assistant referee was in position and indicated the ball had crossed the line for Strickland's hat-trick.
This was an impressive second half display by Whitburn against a team who are usually difficult to score against and keeps the pressure on Lochee United at the top of the table.
The Man of the Match was Colin Strickland who gave Bathgate's tall defenders a difficult time all afternoon, and scored his first hat trick of the season with three well taken goals.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu(Mackay), S.Murphy(Flanagan), Hannah, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Strickland(Roberts), D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Maley, Leiper.
The Man of the Match was Colin Strickland
League
Hill o' Beath 0 Whitburn 3, Scorers - Ramage, Flanagan, Strickland
Half time: 0-1
Whitburn completed the double over Haws with this victory, having beaten them 2-0 at Central Park in the first league game of the season.
Whitburn had a couple of early chances, with Lurinsky having a header touched over for a corner by keeper Graham, then J.Murphy having a shot cleared off the line.
The best chance came in the 20th minute when D.Moonie was put through on Graham with a pass from J.Murphy, but the keeper dived full length to get a fingertip to his effort.
Hill o' Beath then had a chance when Walker had to react to touch a header from Thomson over for a corner.
Iain Ramage opened the scoring for Whitburn when he received a pass from Mbu inside the Hill o' Beath half and ran forward before hitting a low drive from 25 yards that found the corner of the net with the Graham rooted to his line.
On the half hour mark Duffin tried a shot from 30 yards, but Walker was in position to make the save.
Ten minutes from half time Ally Gray of Hill o' Beath was sent off for a wild challenge on S.Murphy after the ball had gone.
Just before half time Strickland found himself with time and space after a neat dummy by J.Murphy allowed a cross from the right to roll through to him 15 yards out, but he chose to have a first time shot that went narrowly past the post.
The last effort of the half was a shot by Hannah from a tight angle after good work on the right between him and Carson, but Graham turned the ball over for a corner.
There were few incidents at the start of the second half as the game was played out in midfield, with Hill o' Beath enjoying more possession than they had in the first half, and Whitburn coping comfortably in defence. However, Whitburn were fortunate not to concede an equaliser midway through the half after a mistake saw Mbu dispossessed in the centre circle, allowing Haws Bathgate to run in on goal. Walker did well to force the player wide and his effort on goal was cleared. However it fell to Courts 25 yards from goal and he tried a looping shot that hit the top of the bar and went over.
Alan Flanagan made it 2-0 in the 78th minute when he was in position at the back post to head home a deep cross from the left from Hannah.
The third goal came in the 88th minute after J.Murphy saw his effort from a cross by Flanagan saved by Graham. The loose ball fell for Colin Strickland and he drove the ball into the net from close range.
The Man of the Match is Iain Ramage who scored the opening goal, and made numerous good runs up the left throughout the game.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu(Leiper), S.Murphy, Hannah, J.Murphy, Lurinsky(Flanagan), Strickland, D.Moonie(Taylor).
Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was Iain Ramage
13-10-07
League
Camelon 0 Whitburn 1, Scorer - D.Moonie
Half time: 0-1
Whitburn maintained their winning start to the league but must have been glad to hear the final whistle as nine man Camelon put them under pressure in the second half.
Camelon were first to threaten when Sloan cut inside from the left before hitting an angled shot over the bar.
A.Mooney tried his luck with a drive from 35 yards that went past the keeper's right post. In the 14th minute D.Moonie sent in a good ball from the left for Strickland at the edge of the box, but he was crowded out as he tried to get in a shot on goal. On the half hour mark S.Murphy sent in a dangerous free kick from the left to the far post, but no Whitburn player had made a run, although it still caused problems as a home defender had to hook the ball clear as it was heading inside the post. The ball came back to S.Murphy and he played it inside to Ramage who's effort from the edge of the box forced a good save from keeper Hutchison who tipped the ball over for a corner. A minute later good work in the middle of the park by Hannah allowed him to play Lurinsky into the left of the box, but the keeper was quickly off his line to close down the angle and make the save.
Whitburn took the lead in the 32nd minute. A long clearance fell for Lurinsky on the right and his excellent cross was met at the back post by Darren Moonie who had time and space to head home.
As half time approached Camelon managed to have three attempts on goal. In the 44th minute they took a free kick from 25 yards out that was headed clear but picked up by Shirra outside the box and his first time shot went just past the post. Then Graham was allowed space on the right and managed to get in a shot that went narrowly past Walker's right post, although the Whitburn keeper looked to have it covered. Lister then managed to get clear of Ramage and A.Mooney on the right of the box and hit a low shot that Walker did well to get down to and hold.
Camelon started the second half as they finished the first and within a minute Lister had the ball in the net but was ruled offside.
In the 57th minute S.Murphy picked up the ball 25 yards out and hit a shot that dipped just over the bar.
A long kick out beat Carson and fell for Sloan, but Walker was quickly out to the edge of his box to block the shot away for a throw in.
The home team then won a free kick 25 yards out, straight in front of goal. It was taken by Graham whose well hit shot was straight at Walker who held the effort.
In the 20th minute with Whitburn pushing forward Camelon broke downfield, but A.Mooney and D.Moonie did well to track back and hold the man up, with A.Mooney then making the decisive block to prevent a shot on goal.
At the other end Hannah managed to create a good chance for Whitburn when he got free inside the right of the box, but blasted the ball well over the bar when a cut back might have been the better option.
Whitburn were being caught out with long clearances, and had Walker to thank when Lister almost got onto the end of one, but the Whitburn keeper rushed from his box to chest the ball down and clear the danger. Then another long ball found Lister 20 yards from goal and he hit a powerful shot that Walker did well to react to and managed to touch the ball away.
In the 73rd minute Cringean was ordered off for a high challenge on Strickland, having been booked earlier.
Whitburn took a corner kick that was miskicked by S.Murphy at the edge of the box and ran through for Carson who saw his shot saved by the keeper.
Camelon were reduced to nine men when Lister went down at the corner of the box as he and Walker challenged for the ball and was ordered off, although the decision looked a bit harsh.
Ramage then went on a run from his own half, ending with a right foot shot that was comfortably held by the keeper.
With 15 minutes remaining it looked as though Camelon were being reduced to eight men as the referee flashed a yellow card at Kiczinsky who had been booked previously. However, he had picked out the wrong man and corrected his mistake by booking another defender.
Despite having a two man advantage, it was Whitburn who were having to defend as Camelon pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Mackay did well to head clear a cross from the right. Then Kiczinsky hit a good shot from 25 yards, but it was straight at Walker who held well.
Whitburn had a chance to make sure of the points when Lurinsky got clear on the left and cut into the box. He tried a shot when again a cut back might have been a better option, but the keeper managed to get a fingertip to it and gathered the loose ball.
A few minutes later Lurinsky received the ball from Strickland on the left and cut inside before hitting a curling shot that forced the keeper to dive to touch the ball round for a corner.
Mackay the made a good covering tackle as number 12 almost got clear on the left before Strickland had a half chance for Whitburn but took too long in getting a shot away and was closed down.
With a couple of minutes left Camelon won a free kick at the left corner of the box. It was played to the far post where number 14 was inches away from connecting with a header that would have brought a deserved equaliser.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker who made several important saves and was alert enough to be quickly off his goal line to clear danger when needed.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Maley), Ramage, Mackay, A.Mooney, S.Murphy, Hannah, J.Murphy, Lurinsky, Strickland, D.Moonie(Taylor).
Subs not used - Leiper, Mbu
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker
6-10-07
Scottish Cup first round
Ardeer Thistle 1 Whitburn 6, Scorers - Lurinsky(2), Flanagan(2), Ramage, Strickland(pen)
Half time: 1-2
Whitburn went through to the next round comfortably in the end, but for the first hour of the game struggled to get the better of a hard working home side.
In the 7th minute Ramage made a good run into the box before passing to Strickland, but he couldn't make space for a shot and the ball eventually went past for a goal kick. A minute later S.Murphy sent in a good cross from the right that was just too high for Ramage and he could only put his header over the bar.
Whitburn had a great chance to open the scoring when Flanagan cut in from the right but hit a weak shot that was saved by McCann. The loose ball fell for Lurinsky but McCann turned his effort round for a corner.
In the 11th minute Nolan took a free kick for Ardeer from 25 yards that went just past Walker's right post.
A.Mooney was then called into action to stop a run into the box by Kippen after S.Murphy had lost possession in midfield.
Whitburn took the lead in the 19th minute after a ball into the box was headed down into the danger area by the Ardeer right back Campbell, and Alex Lurinsky was in the right place to side foot the ball past the keeper into the net.
Around the half hour mark Ardeer created a couple of chances in the Whitburn box. A ball into the box was cleared by J.Murphy but immediately returned and was miskicked by a defender before being cleared. In the 35th minute Strickland played the ball to Flanagan on the right of the box and he sent them ball across the face of goal but no Whitburn player was in position to finish. Play went straight to the other end and a ball into the right of the box was lobbed over Walker by Craig Kippen for the equaliser.
Whitburn responded and Lurinsky laid the ball off for Strickland in front of goal, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
In the 40th minute a cross from the right by Flanagan looked set to present Ramage with a simple header at the back post, but the keeper managed to get a fingertip to the ball to deny the Whitburn captain.
Whitburn regained the lead a couple of minutes before half time, just after Mbu was replaced by Mackay due to injury. A throw in from the right found it's way into the six yard box where Iain Ramage was waiting to turn the ball into the net and make the half time score 2-1 for Whitburn.
Five minutes into the second half a through ball almost put Lurinsky in on goal, but the centre half managed to stretch out a foot to take the ball off him.
Ardeer then pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Walker was called into action to make a good save to keep Whitburn ahead after Gallagher broke through from what looked like an offside position. They then had a good run up the left that ended with a shot from the edge of the box that was easily held by Walker, and another attempt that was cleared inside the six yard box by Ramage.
Whitburn gained some breathing space when they went 3-1 ahead in the 65th minute. Mackay played a long diagonal ball to Alan Flanagan on the right of the box and he turned inside his marker before placing the ball past the keeper.
Ardeer were reduced to 10 men when they had a man sent off for barging into S.Murphy, although the decision seemed a bit harsh.
Whitburn made it 4-1 in the 70th minute. Ramage made a good run on the left and played the ball into the box where Alan Flanagan was waiting, and although he mishit his shot into the ground, it bounced up over the keeper and into the net.
Ramage then had a chance after a good run by D.Moonie, but his shot lacked power and was easily saved.
Alex Lurinsky made it 5-1 in the 77th minute when he ran onto a ball from the left and side footed it past keeper McCann. Two minutes later Lurinsky went down inside the box but the referee waved away the claims for a penalty.
Maley then almost put Walker in trouble with a short pass back but the Whitburn keeper was out quickly to clear the danger.
Whitburn were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute after Lurinsky was brought down as he rounded the keeper, following a good move involving Mackay and Flanagan. Colin Strickland made no mistake from the spot to make the final score 6-1 to Whitburn.
In what wasn't a great game, the Man of the Match goes to Alan Mooney for the second successive week. He was one of the few Whitburn players who played anywhere near his best, and turned in another impressive display in defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson(Taylor), Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu(Mackay), S.Murphy, Flanagan, J.Murphy(Maley), Lurinsky, Strickland, D.Moonie.
Subs not used - Leiper.
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney
League
Tayport 0 Whitburn 1, Scorer - A.Mooney
Half time: 1-0
Eamon McNelis led Whitburn out in recognition of this being his last game before emigrating.
Whitburn had a great chance to take the lead in the 11th minute when Mbu had a free header in front of goal following a corner kick by A.Mooney, but unfortunately failed to connect properly and the ball went past the far post. Whitburn kept up the pressure and were rewarded in the 15th minute with the opening goal. A free kick was awarded on the right, 30 yards out. Alan Mooney fired in a low shot that took a slight deflection off a defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Currie, and ended up in the net.
A minute later Carson came to Whitburn's rescue, heading the ball off the line after it had been crossed from the right, with Craik waiting to knock the ball home.
J.Murphy then sent in a cross from the right for McNelis at the back post, but Currie got to the ball just as he was about to head it goalwards.
Whitburn won another free kick 25 yards out that was again taken by A.Mooney, but this time his well hit effort was always going over the bar.
Tayport came out for the second half and immediately went on the attack, Walker being called into action to make a save to stop a shot from Maher.
In the 55th minute J.Murphy made a good run up the left before passing the ball inside for Strickland, but the Whitburn forward drove the ball wide of the target from 16 yards. Hannah then had a left foot shot from 20 yards that was spilled by the keeper, but he recovered to gather the ball before McNelis could get to it.
In the 73rd minute Lurinsky had a great run up the left, getting clear of the defender and cutting into the box before sending the ball past keeper Currie from a tight angle, but unfortunately it went across goal and narrowly past the far post.
The closest Tayport came to scoring was in the 80th minute when a free kick from the right was punched clear by Walker and fell for G.Paterson outside the box. His effort was heading for the top corner but Walker managed to get back and dived full length to palm the ball over for a corner kick.
Andy Roberts had replaced Lurinsky with 15 minutes remaining, but had only been on the park ten minutes when he was sent off for an off the ball incident.
Tayport were also reduced to ten men a few minutes later when Roberto Morris was sent off.
With Tayport pushing forward, Strickland knocked a clearance past his marker, Morris, into the empty home half of the park, but was brought down as he attempted to run forward for what would have been a clear run in on goal.
This was an excellent result for Whitburn against an in-form Tayport side, and one that maintains their record of never having lost to the Canniepairt side.
The Man of the Match goes to Alan Mooney, who scored Whitburn's goal and had an excellent game in the centre of the defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, McNelis.
Subs not used - Mackay, Maley, S.Murphy, Leiper.
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney
League
Whitburn 2 Bonnyrigg 1, Scorers - J.Murphy, McNelis
Half time: 1-0
Whitburn maintained their excellent start to the league campaign with a narrow but deserved victory over Bonnyrigg, their first in six games against the Rose.
Bonnyrigg were early on the attack and Walker brought off the first of several excellent saves when he dived to block a shot from Pauczka in the 5th minute after he made a run up the right and cut into the box.
In the 15th minute McNelis won the ball on the right and crossed it to the edge of the box where J.Murphy saw his shot touched onto the post by Bonnyrigg keeper Maley who managed to gather the loose ball.
Five minutes later a good through ball put Killan through on Walker, but again the Whitburn keeper was up to the task, diving full length to save the shot from the edge of the box. Play went straight to the other end and Carson sent a shot across goal and out at the far side after a pass from Flanagan, with nobody able to get a touch that would have diverted the ball into the net.
On the half hour mark McCaul tried a snap shot from 18 yards that was straight at Walker but well held nevertheless. Five minutes later Bonnyrigg had another breakaway chance, the centre getting through on goal but again being denied by another good save from Walker. The ball fell back to the same player but Mbu made a good challenge and the ball broke to Elliot who sent it over the bar.
A minute later Strickland did well to win the ball on the right before putting it across for J.Murphy who's volley from the edge of the box went just over.
Whitburn took the lead in the 40th minute when John Murphy found the net with a well placed header after a cross from Hannah on the right.
Whitburn had a great chance to extend their lead in the first minute of the second half. Lurinsky put in a good ball from the right that was cut back by Strickland for Hannah, but his shot from 10 yards was stopped by the keeper's legs and cleared. Whitburn kept up the pressure and 30 seconds later J.Murphy laid the ball off for Flanagan who's shot from the right of the box was palmed over the bar by Maley for a corner.
Five minutes later Whitburn were again denied by Maley when he pulled off a great save from a shot by Lurinsky to put the ball out for another corner.
Whitburn were on top at this stage and won yet another corner when Hannah's 16 yard shot was blocked and went over the bar.
Against the run of play Bonnyrigg equalised when they were awarded a penalty. Mbu challenged a Rose forward inside the box, both players going to ground and the referee pointing to the spot. The kick was well struck by Elliot but Walker dived to his left to bring off another excellent save. Unfortunately the ball fell kindly for full back Mark Robertson who dived to head the rebound into the net. Walker was booked before play resumed for protesting that the player had been encroaching, and he had a point as the player was only about 8 yards out when he headed the ball.
Whitburn had a chance to go back in front when Flanagan played the ball inside for Strickland, but the Whitburn forward put the ball over the bar from the penalty spot.
Midway through the half Bonnyrigg's goalscorer Robertson was ordered off for a challenge on J.Murphy on the touchline inside the Whitburn half.
Whitburn regained the lead in the 69th minute when Eamon McNelis made a well timed run into the box to head home at the back post after a good deep cross from the right by Strickland.
Bonnyrigg went forward from the restart and Walker was again called into action, holding a shot form the edge of the box.
Whitburn almost extended their lead in the 79th minute when J.Murphy intercepted a pass out of defence. He ran forward, clear of the defence, and managed to steer the ball past the keeper, but it was cleared by a defender before it could cross the line. A minute later Flanagan put in a good cross from the right that saw Lurinsky's header go inches past the post with Maley rooted to his goal line.
With a couple of minutes remaining Lurinsky again came close, this time his effort hitting the post after a pass from J.Murphy.
That was the last of the action and Whitburn saw the remaining minutes out to take all three points.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker who brought off a string of excellent saves, including one from a penalty kick.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(D.Moonie), McNelis.
Subs not used - Taylor, Mackay, Maley, S.Murphy.
The Man of the Match was Stewart Walker
League
Glenrothes 0 Whitburn 1, Scorer - o.g.
Half time: 0-0
The kick off was delayed for an hour due to unexpectedly heavy traffic jams on the approaches to the Forth bridge causing visiting fans, players and kit to be held up and as a result Whitburn had little time to warm up before the game started.
Glenrothes had a great chance to open the scoring in the opening minutes but failed to convert, then at the other end McNelis was inches away from getting a touch on a cross to the back post by Flanagan.
Twenty minutes in, Hannah made space for himself inside the box but pulled his shot wide of goal. Two minutes later Whitburn came close when J.Murphy sent McNelis away with a pass down the left of the field. He put the ball into the box where Lurinsky brought out a great save from the keeper who put his shot round the post for a corner.
In the 25th minute a short pass back allowed a home forward through on goal, but Walker was alert to the danger and rushed from his goal to bravely block the attempted lob, the Glenrothes player requiring treatment after the ensuing collision.
Two minutes into the second half Flanagan put a good ball in for Strickland in front of goal, but he was well marked by a defender and couldn't get turned to try a shot on goal. A minute later A.Mooney hit a fierce free kick from 30 yards out that just skimmed the top of the bar.
In the 54th minute McBride had a great chance for Glenrothes when he had a free header from 8 yards out off a corner kick, but put his effort over the bar.
Whitburn enjoyed a period of pressure and came close to opening the scoring in the 60th minute. Carson tried a shot from the right of the area that rattled the crossbar and rebounded to J.Murphy on the left of the box. He controlled the ball and hit a powerful low drive that the keeper did well to stop low at his post, but couldn't hold. The ball eventually came to Strickland and he tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box that was blocked and the danger was cleared. Strickland then did well to turn and beat his opponent at the left of the box before putting the ball across goal where Flanagan came close to getting a touch, but the ball was cleared.
Whitburn took the lead in the 67th minute when Flanagan sent in a dangerous cross from the right that defender Paul McBride headed into his own net as he attempted to intercept.
A minute later at the other end a corner kick presented an opportunity for Glenrothes, but the resulting header went across goal and just past the far post. Glenrothes then caused problems with a breakaway up the right, the ball coming into the box where number 10 was waiting, but he was stretching and could only redirect the ball over the bar.
J.Murphy then had a header cleared off the line at the back post following a corner kick from D.Moonie on the right.
With 5 minutes remaining D.Moonie was unlucky not to score when he hit a great free kick from 25 yards that struck the underside of the bar and bounced down onto the line before being scrambled round the post by the keeper for a corner.
J.Murphy then had another good chance from the corner kick, again with a header at the back post, but this time his effort went across goal and out at the far side. With a couple of minutes remaining Roberts broke through on goal and tried a shot from the edge of the box that was always rising and went over the bar.
At the other end Whitburn had McNelis to thank when he tracked back to cover a run by an opponent and made a great clearance inside the six yard box to prevent what would surely have been an equaliser.
Whitburn will be delighted to take all 3 points from a game that looked as though it was going to end in a draw, particularly given the pre-match problems and lack of a proper warm-up.
The Man of the Match goes to Alan Mooney who formed a solid central defensive partnership with Joe Mbu.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, A.Mooney, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan(D.Moonie), Hannah, Lurinsky(Roberts), Strickland, McNelis.
Subs not used - Taylor, Mackay, S.Murphy.
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney
League
Whitburn 2 Hill o' Beath 0, Scorers - Strickland(pen), Hannah
Half time: 0-0
With a strong wind at their backs Whitburn enjoyed the majority of the attacking play in the first half, but Hill o' Beath defended well and there were few clear chances.
In the opening minute Carswell broke forward on the right and tried a shot from 25 yards that took a touch off a defender and went out at the far side for a corner kick. Midway through the half a cross from the left by Ramage found Flanagan at the edge of the box and his looping header landed on the top of the net.
In the 30th minute the ball broke from Strickland to Lurinsky at the edge of the box and his low shot went just past the post with keeper Graham stranded.
Five minutes later Mbu, playing his first game of the season, broke forward and tried a 20 yard shot that was deflected for a corner.
A minute later Haws Gray sent a ball in from the left that struck the bar and went behind.
Mbu then showed great composure under pressure as he tracked back to cover a breakaway before winning possession near the corner flag and clearing the ball upfield.
Five minutes from half time a shot by Hannah was blocked and fell to Strickland who laid the ball off for J.Murphy, and his powerful 18 yard drive was tipped over the bar by Graham. The same player then broke into the right of the box after receiving the ball from a throw-in, but blasted the ball off target from a good position.
Hill o' Beath started the second half more positively as they tried to take advantage of the wind, and tried a 25 yard shot in the opening minute that was easily dealt with by Walker. A couple of minutes later a long throw-in from the left caused problems for the Whitburn defence and broke for Richardson, but he mis-kicked and J.Murphy cleared.
At the other end a low ball in from the right was dummied and came to Strickland whose 16 yard shot was touched round the post by the keeper for a corner.
Number 10 Bathgate then broke from half way after picking up a misdirected pass by Hannah, but elected to shoot early and was off target.
In the 60th minute Whitburn claimed for a penalty kick after McNelis appeared to be pushed in the back as he tried to get on the end of a cross from the right, but the referee saw no offence. A minute later the keeper fumbled a shot by Hannah, but recovered to collect the loose ball.
Whitburn were awarded a penalty kick in the 68th minute when Lurinsky was pulled down by Wright as he ran onto a ball on the right of the box from Ramage.
Colin Strickland made no mistake from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way to open the scoring.
Whitburn went 2-0 ahead in the 72nd minute. Carswell intercepted a clearance midway inside the Haws half and played the ball to Kenny Hannah who ran forward a few yards before wrong footing the keeper with a curling left foot shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
In the 80th minute Carson sent a great ball through for Lurinsky, but the Whitburn forward couldn't make the pass back inside with team-mates waiting in good position, and the keeper saved easily.
Whitburn opened the league campaign with a good victory against difficult opponents, despite having several key players missing and will be looking forward to building on this result when they travel to newly promoted Glenrothes next week.
In his first game back after injury, the Man of the Match was Joe Mbu who was as impressive as ever at the heart of the defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carswell, Ramage, Carson, Mbu, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah(S.Murphy), Lurinsky, Strickland(Roberts), McNelis.
Subs not used - Taylor, D.Moonie, Mackay.
The Man of the Match was Joe Mbu
25-8-07
League Cup section game
Whitburn 3 Harthill 0, Scorers - Flanagan, Roberts, Lurinsky
Half time: 1-0
Whitburn did what was required to ensure they would progress from the section in the event of Fauldhouse losing to Blackburn, and took all three points from what was a poor game with few notable goalmouth incidents.
The opening goal came after 32 minutes following a good break by Whitburn. McNelis got behind the defence and played the ball across goal for Alan Flanagan to put home at the far post.
In the 40th minute Flanagan was again involved, crossing from the right for Lurinsky who's header was just past.
The second half was much like the first with little goalmouth action until a snapshot from Flanagan from the edge of the box after 75 minutes brought a good save from the keeper diving low to his left.
Five minutes later Lurinsky ran on to a long kick out down the left and pulled the ball back for Hannah. His first shot was beaten down by the keeper and his follow-up effort hit the top of the bar and went over.
With five minutes remaining, Flanagan sent over a tempting cross from the right that Roberts was close to connecting with. Two minutes later another cross from Flanagan went across the face of goal with two Whitburn players just failing to connect.
In the final minute Harthill's number 12 cut in from the right and fired a shot just over the bar.
Whitburn made sure of the victory a minute into injury time when a ball in from McNelis on the left was helped on by Lurinsky and Andy Roberts was in position to divert the ball into the net from close range.
In the 3rd minute of injury time a cross from the right was played back inside and Alex Lurinsky pounced to steer the ball home from 10 yards.
Unfortunately for Whitburn, results elsewhere meant that Fauldhouse qualified from the section and Whitburn had exited their first competition of the new season.
After losing to Fauldhouse in the opening game Whitburn had taken full points, but with Fauldhouse doing the same it meant their efforts were in vain and the bottom line is that Whitburn failed to qualify from a section composed entirely of teams two divisions below them. Hopefully this will provide added incentive when the league campaign starts next week.
The Man of the Match for the second game in a row was Alan Mooney who was once again steady at the back.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Leiper, A.Mooney, J.Murphy, Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(Roberts), McNelis.
Subs not used - Taylor, S.Murphy, D.Moonie, Carswell.
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney
22-8-07
League Cup section game
Blackburn 1 Whitburn 3, Scorers - Lurinsky(2), O.G.
Half time: 0-2
Whitburn needed to win to have any hope of catching Fauldhouse at the top of the section, and did what was required to take the challenge to the final game on Saturday.
The first effort on goal was a 20 yard shot from Hannah that was just too high. Then Docherty had a great chance in the 10th minute when he broke through on goal, but Walker was quickly off his line and smothered the shot.
Whitburn took the lead in the 12th minute when Alex Lurinsky headed home at the back post from a corner kick.
In the 26th minute A.Mooney hit a fierce shot from a free kick that the keeper could only beat away. The ball fell to Strickland but his shot was over the bar.
Blackburn then had another chance on the break, with Docherty setting up number 9, but he miskicked at the edge of the box.
Whitburn went 2-0 ahead just before the break, and again the scorer was Alex Lurinsky. Ramage played a high ball up the middle of the park that many players would have given up on with two defenders covering, but Lurinsky kept going and was rewarded when the defender slipped up, allowing the Whitburn forward to get round him and stab the ball past the keeper into the net.
Blackburn pulled a goal back 5 minutes after half time with a good run through the middle by Steph McCardie that ended with a well placed shot from the edge of the box beating Walker low at the post.
Whitburn responded immediately and a powerful shot by S.Murphy was well saved by the keeper but no Whitburn player was in position to take advantage when the ball broke loose.
Whitburn went 3-1 ahead following good work by Strickland and McNelis in the 75th minute, the latter driving into the left of the box and firing the ball across goal where the unfortunate home number 3 Palwart turned the ball into his own net.
Lurinsky became the fourth Whitburn player to be sent off in four games when he received a second yellow card for leaving the park without permission as he was being substituted by Roberts. Whitburn then had to remove Strickland from the field to allow the substitute to take to the field as Lurinsky had been sent off before the substitution was made.
Hannah made a good run into the box and just failed to connect with a diving header as he tried to finish off a cross from the right.
In what wasn't a great game, Whitburn did enough to take all three points and must now hope Blackburn can defeat Fauldhouse on Saturday.
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney who had a solid game in central defence.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carswell, Ramage, Leiper, A.Mooney, S.Murphy(Carson), Flanagan, Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(Roberts), McNelis.
Subs not used - Taylor
The Man of the Match was Alan Mooney
18-8-07
League Cup section game
Whitburn 8 West Calder 3, Scorers - Flanagan, Lurinsky(3), Strickland(2 (1 pen)), Hannah(pen), D.Moonie
Half time: 2-1
Kick off was delayed 15 minutes to let the big crowd in, and started in a steady drizzle that lasted the whole game.
West Calder had a good break up the right in after 5 minutes that saw Moore's shot deflected for a corner. In the 12th minute Whitburn had a chance on the break, but Strickland's attempted cut-back was stopped by keeper Greig with two home players in position for an easy tap-in.
That wasn't much between the teams in the opening period, but it was Whitburn who made the breakthrough with a goal in the 19th minute. A.Mooney intercepted the ball in the middle of the park and drove forward before cutting the ball inside. A West Calder defender was first to the ball, but his attempted clearance struck Hannah at the edge of the box and bounced off the crossbar before again being partly cleared. The ball was put back into the box and Alan Flanagan rose at the back post to head the ball into the net. Two minutes later and it was 2-0. McNelis collected the ball 25 yards from goal and hit a powerful shot that the keeper stopped but couldn't hold. It broke for Alex Lurinsky who steadied himself before firing the ball into the net.
Whitburn were reduced to 10 men when Colin Leiper was sent off in the 35th minute. He had let a long ball slip under his foot, allowing an opponent a run-in on goal, and in trying to recover brought the player down at the edge of the box. The referee immediately showed him the red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. The resulting free kick was well struck, beating the wall and forcing Walker to save. However, the ball broke for Mitchell who wasted no time in driving it into the net.
Two minutes later Strickland collected the ball inside the box and hit a left foot shot that went over off the top of the bar. A couple of minutes from half time another left foot shot from the same player took a deflection and went just past the post.
The last action of the half was a corner kick by A.Mooney that came to Ramage at the back post, but his header was cleared off the line by a defender.
Into the second half and good running by Lurinsky saw him cut the ball back for Flanagan whose shot was well held by Greig.
In the 55th minute Whitburn extended their lead from the penalty spot. McNelis made a good run into the box to get on the end of a cross from the right. However, just as he rose to head the ball he was pushed in the back for a clear penalty kick. Surprisingly, the referee decided the defence was not worth even a yellow card, despite it being more of a goalscoring opportunity than the one that had seen Leiper sent off. Colin Strickland took the kick and found the bottom corner of the net, although Greig did manage to get a hand to the ball.
A few minutes later Whitburn were awarded a second penalty for another foul on McNelis, this time as he was pulled back as he rounded a defender following a good through ball from Mackay. Strickland passed the ball for Kenny Hannah to take the kick and he found the net with a well struck penalty.
Whitburn went 5-1 ahead in the 65th minute when Alex Lurinsky picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and ran forward before placing it past the keeper into the net. Five minutes later Flanagan made a good break up the right and cut the ball back for Strickland in front of goal, but his shot was against the keeper and the chance was lost. Thirty seconds later Lurinsky had a chance to complete his hat trick. Looking offside he was allowed to carry on, but was forced wide as he ran in on goal and put his shot off target.
Whitburn made a double substitution, Ramage and Flanagan being replaced by Carswell and S.Murphy.
Whitburn were pushing forward at every opportunity, and creating good opportunities to extend their lead. Lurinsky cut the ball back for Strickland whose well hit low shot was cleared off the line. Then Hannah had an effort the brought another good save from Greig in goal.
In the 77th minute Whitburn scored again when Colin Strickland volleyed an unstoppable left foot shot into the far corner from the left side of the six yard box. Immediately after that the scorer was replaced by D.Moonie.
In the 80th minute Darren Moonie ran onto a through ball on the right of the box from Mackay before beating his opponent and cutting back inside to find the net with a well placed shot.
West Calder came close when substitute Reid had a shot that was saved by Walker and put out for a corner by a defender. In the 84th minute West Calder pulled a goal back when Mackay missed a high ball and McGurk latched onto it before driving it into the net from 16 yards.
In the 89th minute Alex Lurinsky had a simple tap in to complete his hat trick after a header by D.Moonie was saved but fell into his path.
Straight from the restart West Calder went forward and number 7 made no mistake in finding the net after Whitburn failed to clear the ball, making the final score 8-3.
The Man of the Match was Alex Lurinsky who scored a hat trick and was full of running for the full 90 minutes.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage(Carswell), Mackay, Leiper, McNelis, Flanagan(S.Murphy), Hannah, Lurinsky, Strickland(D.Moonie), A.Mooney.
Subs not used -
The Man of the Match was Alex Lurinsky
15-8-07
League Cup section game
Whitburn 4 Stoneyburn 1, Scorers - Strickland, Lurinsky, Leiper, Hannah
Half time: 0-0
Whitburn got their League Cup challenge back on track with this victory, but were made to work all the way by Stoneyburn and needed a couple of late goals to make the scoreline more presentable.
Despite creating numerous chances in the first half, the teams went in at half time goal-less. Ramage had a header in the first minute pushed round the post by the keeper for a corner following a cross from S.Murphy. This set the tone for the half as Whitburn enjoyed the majority of the attacking play. Ramage had another couple of headers, and Flanagan also had a good chance from a corner kick but headed past. S.Murphy fired a shot over the bar from the edge of the box then McNelis did the same following a good run and lay-off by Ramage. McNelis also had a good run into the box before laying the ball off for Strickland who was closed down before he could shoot.
Stoneyburn also had their chances, most notably a good shot on the turn that Walker had to be alert to save. Then numbers 6 and 7 combined in a good break through the middle that broke down at the edge of the Whitburn box. Then just before half time Whitburn gave away possession allowing an opponent to have a snap shot from 25 yards that had Walker scrambling across his line to save.
Ramage came close at the start of the second half, a good run ending with a shot that was well saved by the keeper.
In the 48th minute Stoneyburn beat the offside to run in on goal, but Walker managed to save the shot on goal. A couple of minutes later another Stoneyburn break was stopped by a good covering tackle from Mackay.
Play went to the other end and a scramble in the Stoneyburn goalmouth resulted in a shot from Leiper being deflected wide for a corner.
Whitburn finally managed to find the target to take a deserved lead in the 57th minute. Roberts played a good ball up the right for Flanagan to run on to and his perfect cross into the goalmouth was met by Colin Strickland who had got in front of his marker to drive the ball home.
McNelis then chested down a cross from the left into the path of D.Moonie whose shot was saved by the keeper.
Roberts then squandered a great chance when he was put through on the keeper, but blasted the ball wildly over the bar from 12 yards. That was to be his last involvement in the game as he was replaced by Lurinsky with Hannah replacing Flanagan at the same time.
In the 65th minute Whitburn went 2-0 ahead. D.Moonie intercepted a pass back but saw his shot blocked by the keeper. The ball spun up in the air and fell nicely for Alex Lurinsky who had a simple tap in for his first goal for the club.
Stoneyburn pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when a low 25 yard shot was spilled by Walker allowing number 9 to run in and slam the ball home before he could recover.
The scorer then had a shot from 18 yards that forced Walker to make a diving save.
Whitburn made sure of the victory in the 87th minute when a corner kick from the right by D.Moonie was headed home by Colin Leiper. This was also his first goal for Whitburn.
In the final minute Lurinsky made a good run through the middle before cutting the ball back for Kenny Hannah to complete the scoring with a low drive from 16 yards.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper who was solid in defence and also managed to get his name on the scoresheet.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carson, Ramage, Mackay, Leiper, S.Murphy, Flanagan(Hannah), McNelis, Roberts(Lurinsky), Strickland, D.Moonie.
Subs not used - A.Mooney, Carswell, J.Murphy.
The Man of the Match was Colin Leiper
League Cup section game
Fauldhouse 4 Whitburn 3, Scorers - Flanagan, Hannah, Strickland
Half time: 2-1
Whitburn started the new season with a disappointing defeat against Fauldhouse, although they weren't helped by some very poor and inconsistent refereeing decisions.
In the 15th minute new signing Scott Murphy was unlucky with a well hit 25 yard volley that was just wide of the target. Then the ball dropped for McNelis on the left of the box, but his shot was also just past. The play went straight to the other end and number 4 had a shot just over the bar.
Despite a couple of good efforts on goal, Whitburn hadn't started particularly well and went behind in the 21st minute. A long kick out by keeper Connolly was misjudged by Leiper, the ball falling behind him before being cut back across goal where it was turned into the net.
Fauldhouse went 2-0 ahead in the 28th minute after Whitburn lost possession, allowing Fauldhouse to break forward. The ball was played quickly up the left before being crossed to the far side of the goal where number 10 was unmarked, and he made no mistake in finding the target.
A minute later Whitburn were reduced to 10 men after John Murphy was ordered off following an off the ball incident. There didn't seem to be too much in the incident but the referee, who seemed to over-react, immediately showed Murphy the red card.
As often happens when a team have a man sent off, Whitburn started to produce some better football, and five minutes from half time they pulled a goal back. A ball in from the right by Alex Lurinsky was spilled by the keeper, and Alan Flanagan pounced to stab the ball into the net.
Into the second half and Whitburn were looking for an equaliser when they were again caught out on the break. A.Mooney and a Fauldhouse forward chased a through ball into the left of the box but the Fauldhouse man got to it first and lobbed Walker. The Whitburn keeper managed to get a hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it from dropping over him and bouncing into the net.
Two minutes later Whitburn had pulled a goal back. A long diagonal ball into the Fauldhouse box by Kenny Hannah was missed by everyone and bounced past the unsighted keeper into the far corner of the net.
Eamon McNelis was then the next victim of some very poor refereeing. First he was booked for a tackle when it was clear to everyone except the referee that he had played the ball. Then ten minutes later he went on a run before being brought down 30 yards from goal. With Fauldhouse players retreating to defend the free kick and Whitburn players lining up to take it, the referee produced the yellow card. Everyone assumed it was for the home player who had brought down McNelis, but when the red card followed it became clear that the Whitburn man had been booked for diving and ordered off.
Despite being down to 10 men, Whitburn had looked capable of taking something from the game. However, when a second Whitburn player was sent off there was really no way back and Fauldhouse re-established their 2 goal lead with a headed goal following a cross into the box.
Still, Whitburn kept trying and managed to pull a goal back when Colin Strickland sent a free kick round the wall into the bottom corner of the net.
There was no further scoring and Whitburn must now pick themselves up for the remaining League Cup fixtures and hope someone can take points from Fauldhouse if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah who put in a good display on the right of midfield and scored one of Whitburn's goals.
Whitburn team : Walker, Carswell(Roberts), Ramage, Leiper, A.Mooney, J.Murphy(D.Moonie), Hannah, S.Murphy, Lurinsky(Strickland), Flanagan, McNelis.
Subs not used - Mackay, Carson.
The Man of the Match was Kenny Hannah