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Bellshill 1-4 Whitburn

From the Daily Record

Dec 22 2008

Kevin Mcgoldrick Reports

WHITBURN goal hero Ian McSween believes his new side are good enough to help him win a second Scottish Junior Cup winner's medal.

The former Falkirk striker marked his debut with a double and now Burn are in the last 32 he is confident they are going all the way.

McSween said: "I've only recently signed and had a few training sessions with the boys so to score twice in my first game is a dream come true.

"I've won the Scottish Cup with Linlithgow a few years ago and firmly believe we have as good a chance as any of going the whole way.

"We played really well today and I'm sure that once I'm fully fit I can score a lot more.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Linlithgow but wanted to play more than I did and hopefully by moving to Whitburn I can play regularly and strike up a good partnership with Colin Strickland.

"We now face Arthurlie in the next round.That will be another difficult tie but hopefully we can march on, with me scoring a few goals.

"Strikers are judged by how many times they find the net and these two goals will give me huge confidence."

The visitors took the lead in the first minute. Scott Murphy delivered a free-kick into the area and despite Bellshill keeper Scott McNab pushing the ball on to the bar Andy Doig followed up to nod into the net.

It became 2-0 in the 20th minute when Strickland beat his marker only for McNab to block his shot.

But from the rebound McSween outjumped the home defence to power home a header.

Bellshill pulled one back just before the break when Stuart Boyd got in the way of keeper Stewart Walker's attempted clearance and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Whitburn netted again on the hour when John Murphy crossed for McSween to head his second of the match.

Any hopes of Bellshill making a comeback were dealt a double blow when Barry Nicholls was red-carded for a lunge on Eamon McNellis, then from the free-kick Doig was perfectly placed to nod home goal No.4.

Whitburn could have added to the scoreline as Doig, McSween and Strickland all passed up good chances.

Bellshill boss Tam McDonald said: "When you look and see the opposition scored from four headers it tells its own story. We didn't defend properly in our own area and you can't expect to win games with poor marking.

"It's disappointing, especially when it's the Scottish Cup and you are looking to do well.

"Now we must switch our attention to league duty and get this poor display out of our system."

Bellshill 1-4 Whitburn: Doig uses his loaf and puts Whitburn in next round

 Edinburgh Evening News 22nd December 2008

By JOHN GILMOUR

ANDY DOIG was Whitburn's head boy as they stormed into the fourth round of the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup.

The midfield ace grabbed a hat-trick of headers against Bellshill while new signing Ian McSween grabbed a goal on his debut – also from a header.

Whitburn now face Arthurlie in the next round.

Three-goal hero Doig said: "It was great to get a hat-trick and all the goals coming from headers is a first for me. I don't get many hat-tricks so it makes it all the more special when you do.

"We took control of the game from the start and the quick goal settled us. We never let them into the game and even when they did score it was down to our mistake.

"We hadn't played for a month so to play the way we did was terrific. We can now look forward to the game against Arthurlie in the next round."

He added: "We play really well in the cups but we need to transfer that form to the league."

speaking ahead of the match, Whitburn boss Derek Strickland said he believed that whichever team settled quickest would win it. You can't settle much quicker than a goal in the first minute, and it was Whitburn who grabbed the chance.

They won a free kick some 40 yards out on the left. Scott Murphy sent over a teasing cross deep into the penalty box, the keeper flapped at it and Doig pounced to head the ball into the net and give the visitors a dream start.

This gave Whitburn the confidence to start playing the good football they are capable of, and they doubled their lead after 15 minutes.

Former Linlithgow Rose player McSween broke from midfield before feeding Eamon McNelis, who in turn fed Colin Strickland and his cross was headed powerfully into the net by McSween.

Whitburn dominated as they pushed for a third goal before the break., but it was Bellshill who found the net next. A poor mistake by keeper Stewart Walker allowed Steven Boyd to close down his clearance and block the ball which rebounded back into the empty net.

Whitburn started the second half the same way as they'd started the first – they pushed forward from the restart and scored a third goal within five minutes. The ball came down the left and Chris Dolan put in a perfect cross for Doig to head home.

Bellshill had no answer as they began to lose their cool. A flurry of bookings followed but the referee was in control of a physical game. He finally drew the line when Andy Nicols was red-carded for a picking up his second yellow card shortly after his first booking.

With Bellshill down to ten men Whitburn made them pay when they scored a fourth in the 68th minute with yet another header.

They were awarded a free-kick some 40 yards out. Again Murphy took it and sent in another deep cross into the penalty box, and Doig rose to nod the ball into the net to complete his hat-trick of headers.

Whitburn were then content to play out time with the game won but in a final flurry they came close again when Strickland turned in the box and smashed a shot against the base of the post.

In the end, it was a comfortable win for Whitburn who now face another big team from the west, Arthurlie at home in the fourth round.

This is the first time Whitburn have reached that round since the season they won it. Are the omens telling us it could be their year again? Only time will tell.

Manager Strickland said: "I was a bit concerned with the lack of match practice we had over the last month but the quick goal settled us.

"Once we got here and saw how good the surface was then I knew we could play on it.

"I thought we might tire during the game and we did but by then the game was won.

"It's not often you win games like this with all the goals being headed but Andy Doig was super for us. He put his head where it could hurt and he got the rewards he deserved, but overall we played some excellent football. I hope we gave our supporters an early Christmas present.

"Ian McSween showed why I wanted him at the club. He took his goal really well and there's a lot more to come from him. He could become a huge favourite here."

McSween himself was a happy man: "I was delighted to score on my debut because I've only had a couple of training sessions with the players. I'm happy to be here and with a manager who wants me to play my own game.

"I just hope we keep playing like this. It was good to get the first 90 minutes under my belt and I hope the supporters were happy with my performance"

Bellshill: McNab, Souter (Laughlan), McVitie, McCannany, Jordan, Watson (Clark), Nicols, McGeoghan (Boyd), Boyle, McBride, Fleming. Subs: Franchetti.

Whitburn: Walker, S Murphy (Mackay), Leiper, Mooney, McGurk, J Murphy (Donnelly), McNelis, Doig, McSween, Strickland, Dolan (D Murphy). Subs: Hannah, Kenny.

Burnie strengthen their options as cup tie looks set to beat the weather at long last

Dec 18 2008 by Eric MacKinnon

West Lothian Courier

WHITBURN’S Scottish Cup run has been on ice now for the best part of a month but there are high hopes that this weekend they will finally get the green light to meet Bellshill.

The Burnie have suffered three postponements but the unexpected break has given boss Derek Strickland the opportunity to strengthen his attacking options.

Striker Ian McSween has been signed from West Lothian neighbours Linlithgow Rose and he will give Whitburn a new attacking dimension.

McSween was a scorer of great goals for Rose in his two year spell at Prestonfield and he goes straight into contention for a starting berth at Bellshill.

Whitburn 2-0 Broxburn

From the Daily Record

Nov 24 2008

Stuart Gallacher Reports

WHITBURN manager Derek Strickland was happy with yet another cup win but now wants his team to transfer that form into their East Super League campaign.

The Central Park boss watched his side win 2-0 but felt the margin of victory could have been greater.

He said: "I'm delighted with the result but we could have scored five or six goals had we cashed in on all the chances we created.

"The game could have been over at half-time but at 1-0 the opposition always has hope of nicking a goal and getting back into it.

"They hit the post and created one or two chances themselves but overall I felt we deserved the win.

"Our form in the league has been up and down but we have been doing well in the cups.

"We now have everybody back from injury so hopefully we can improve our performances and move up the Super League table.

"The good thing about today is we won without picking up any injuries and can look forward confidently to next week's Scottish Cup tie with Bellshill."

Whitburn could have opened the scoring after seven minutes when Colin Leiper laid the ball off to Alex Lurinsky in the box but visiting keeper Andrew Sheridan saved his 12-yard effort.

However, the home side did take the lead after 14 minutes when David McGurk, lurking six yards out, headed home Chris Dolan's inswinging cross.

Broxburn's first chance fell to Barry Craig after 20 minutes when he ran on to Stephen Payne's through ball. But just as he was about to pull the trigger Alan Mooney intercepted with an excellent slide tackle.

Lurinsky then had a good opportunity to double the home side's advantage after 32 minutes after Andrew Doig had sent him through on goal but Sheridan blocked his shot with his legs .

Broxburn started to press forward just after the interval and Whitburn keeper Stewart Walker produced a fantastic fingertip save to deny Payne from 25 yards.

Craig then rattled the post after 50 minutes with a thunderbolt of a shot from 30 yards that had keeper Walker rooted to the spot.

But Whitburn doubled their lead after 67 minutes through John Murphy. He followed up Colin Strickland's powerful free-kick to volley home at the back post.

To compound the visitors' misery, Craig Young was stretchered off with an ankle injury after collapsing on the field with no one near him.

Broxburn boss Alan Middleton said: "I am disappointed with the result as we created a good few chances in the second half but I was pleased with our attitude. We didn't give up after conceding an early goal and took the game to Whitburn."

We must start turning draws into wins, says Whitburn boss

From the Daily Record

Nov 17 2008

Kevin McGoldrick

COLIN STRICKLAND knows Whitburn must turn draws into wins if they want to challenge for the title.

The striker was gutted to see another two points dropped in a 1-1 draw with Kelty at the weekend.

He said: "Last season we finished second in the table and a huge part of that was down to the start we made.

"However, in this campaign we have beaten the top teams but dropped points against the so-called lesser sides.

"We are now second bottom but a few wins can put us back in contention."

Andy Roberts opened the scoring for Whitburn but Adam Moffat equalised.

No injury problem for Rose but bruised egos

Linlithgow Gazette

24 October 2008

By Iain Russell

THERE were quite a few bruised egos to be had at Prestonfield last Saturday after the Rose lost their unbeaten record to Whitburn in the league.

Rose Brian Fairley said that while they might have had no injury worries after the match, there were several players who nursed a ''bruised ego".

And he apologised to the supporters, saying: "That was the worst performance by the team since I joined the club. Not one player got pass marks. If I had to find a positive, it is that we were only beaten 2-1, as we were dreadful."

Fairley added: "Whitburn took advantage of the wind and an early goal and from then on we struggled to cope. We lost our shape and although we went in at half time two-nil down, it could have been a lot more. We had no rhythm and their height and strength proved a major problem."

Both clubs meet again on Saturday, November 1, in the Scottish Junior Cup and Fairley knows his players will need to be totally focussed if they are to qualify to the next round.

He said: "We now know what Whitburn are about and will need to work on where we went wrong. Too many players had the wrong attitude and at this level you cannot afford to relax. I looked for more from our experienced players when we were up against it."

The team get the chance to redeem themselves tomorrow (Saturday) when they meet Hill of Beath in the league (away).

Boss Fairley continued: "This game is exactly what we need on the back of a poor performance. We have been solid away from home, but we have to instill into the players that we need to keep our performance levels high and not allow them to drop."

Rose fail in bid to keep unbeaten record

Linlithgow Gazette

24 October 2008

By Martin Black

ROSE were seeking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league in this dress rehearsal for the Scottish Cup tie in two weeks time.

LINLITHGOW ROSE......1

McArthur (81)

WHITBURN....................2

Lurinsky (2) Donnelly (25)

Boss Brian Fairley made one change form the team that had defeated Bathgate two weeks earlier – Ian McSween starting in place of Gary Livingstone.

The visitors took the lead in only the second minute as Linlithgow were caught cold. Chris Dolan sent in a dangerous low cross from the left and with both goalkeeper and defenders pondering, Alex Lurinsky got to the ball first and steered it towards goal.

The ball hit the inside of the post and rolled along the line in agonising slow motion but the linesman decided the ball had crossed the line before Pinkowski scrambled back to retrieve it.

Rose had a small flurry of pressure in the immediate aftermath of the opener. A Mark Bradley free kick resulted in some head tennis in the box before Mark Tyrell's volley was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Bradley picked out Sean Grady whose low pile driver flashed past the post.

Whitburn, however, soon established control in the middle of the park and looked the more likely to add to their tally. They almost registered a carbon copy of the first goal, but on this occasion Gallacher was on hand to touch the ball away from Lurinsky.

In the 25th minute they did extend their lead. A corner was only cleared as far as the edge of the box and Kevin Donnelly rattled a shot into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

Linlithgow had a strong claim for a penalty when Gordon Herd was sent crashing to the ground in the penalty box but the referee decided it was a fair challenge.

The home team's brightest moment of the first half came when Herd controlled a free kick on his chest and hit an acrobatic shot that struck the crossbar.

Colin Leiper became the first name in the referee's book when the big Whitburn defender caught Bradley with a dreadful lunging tackle.

As the interval approached Pinkowski did well to deny Dolan.

Linlithgow resumed after the break with James on for Waugh, but the pattern of play changed little.

Stuart McArthur had a decent curling shot from 20 yards but it was wide.

Colin Strickland had a shot palmed away by Pinkowski and Rose were fortunate that Aaron James was on hand to clear up.

James was in action at the other end too, sending in a cross that substitute Chris Geddes headed over the bar.

Whitburn's keeper was having little to do but did well to hold a rasping Grady effort.

Lurinsky should have added to his tally when he had time to turn at the edge of the Rose box but he hit his shot over the bar.

Somewhat unexpectedly Rose pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining. Tyrell won the ball in midfield and from the resulting move McArthur fired a fine 20 yard effort into the net.

Linlithgow now had some momentum and a period of pressure followed. The closest they came to an equaliser was when McGurk cleared a goal-bound Gallacher header.

With time running out Leiper went on a mazy run that took him into the Rose box but he fired wide.

A disappointing performance from Linlithgow, though they remain top of the league.

Fairley holds his hands up after defeat

 Edinburgh Evening News

20th October 2008

By JOHN GILMOUR

Linlithgow Rose 1 - 2 Whitburn

LINLITHGOW boss Brian Fairley admitted his side had produced their worst display of the season as they were run ragged by Whitburn.

It was the home side's first Super League defeat of the season and the visitors' maiden league win of this term as the title race was opened up.

Linlithgow had no answer to a Whitburn side, who controlled the game for 80 minutes before allowing Rose a glimpse of a draw in the final stages.

Linlithgow boss Fairley said: "That was our worst performance of the season and not one player in the dressing-room can hold his head up and say he did all right.

"In the end, it would have been unfair to Whitburn if we had grabbed an equaliser in the last ten minutes."

Whitburn attacked the Linlithgow defence from the kick-off and scored a dramatic opener after only two minutes.

Colin Strickland flicked a ball out wide to Chris Dolan who made ground before sending over a low teasing cross to the back post. The Linlithgow defence were caught napping as Alex Lurinsky came running in at the back post to bundle the ball over the line.

Linlithgow were being overrun by a Whitburn midfield who never gave them time on the ball, battling for every ball.

They scored a second in the 25th minute. A Chris Dolan corner from the right again caught out a hesitant Linlithgow defence and as the ball fell to Andy Doig he laid it back to Kevin Donnelly who was in a better position. His 25-yard drive flew past the keeper and almost burst the net for a super finish.

Whitburn continued to dominate but to keep them on their toes Linlithgow's Gordon Herd produced a terrific turn and shot in the 37th minute which smacked off the bar and over.

The second half saw Whitburn on the defensive as Linlithgow started strongly. However, they didn't threaten and once again Whitburn started to dominate.

The first real chance of the half fell to Linlithgow's Mark Robertson but keeper Stewart Walker was up for it with a good save.

Whitburn were looking comfortable and Strickland almost scored their third but keeper Steven Pinkowki brought off a good stop.

The introduction of Gary Livingstone to the right wing for Linlithgow allowed Sean Grady to go through the middle. It almost paid immediate dividends when Grady controlled a loose ball but once again Walker saved well.

Linlithgow looked down and out but were given a lifeline after Whitburn played a sloppy pass in the centre of midfield. Stuart McArthur picked up the ball and ran at the defence. He cut inside and from 20 yards he blasted the ball. It took a slight deflection on its way into the net to reduce the deficit.

Linlithgow then had their best spell of the game but just to remind them that the game wasn't over Whitburns central defender Colin Leiper ran with the ball for 40 yards before shooting wide.

Whitburn then ran out the game to remind Linlithgow that there is a huge Citylink Scottish Junior Cup game coming up between the side in two weeks time and they had the upper hand this time.

Linlithgow manager Fairley didn't mince his words to his players. He said: "They were told in no uncertain terms that this type of performance is not acceptable.

"The last ten minutes were too little too late. We should have been playing like that from the kick-off. Credit to Whitburn for the way they played their game."

Whitburn boss Derek Strickland was delighted with the result, saying: "It was good to see that we dominated the game from the kick off.

"We had a great start after only two minutes and that showed us we could win this game. We were strong where it mattered, and scored goals when it mattered.

"At half time I told the players that Linlithgow would come at us but we were holding them comfortably until we gave them a chance.

"The homework we did before the game paid off. I said before the game that once we got our full squad back we would improve and that's what happened.

"We now have two games in hand and that keeps us in contention.

"There's still a long way to go in this league because it's not won in October, but Saturday was a good win for us and will give the players a lot of confidence going into the next few weeks."

Linlithgow; Rose: Pinkowski, Robertson, Waugh (James), Gallagher, King, Bradley, Grady, Tyrrell, McSween (Livingstone), Herd (Geddes), McArthur. Subs: Wilson, Hogg.

Whitburn: Walker, S Murphy, Leiper, Mooney, McGurk, Donnelly (J Murphy), Hannah (D Murphy), Doig (McNelis) Lurinsky, Strickland, Dolan. Subs: MacKay.

Linlithgow 1-2 Whitburn

From the Daily Record

Oct 20 2008

DEREK STRICKLAND was delighted to see his Whitburn side get their first league win of the season by beating leaders Linlithgow on their own patch.

The Central Park boss believes his team are now starting to gel and is looking for a repeat performance when the sides meet again in the Scottish Cup in a fortnight.

He said: "In the first half we really played well and the game could have been finished before half time with the amount of chances we created.

"We knew Linlithgow would come back at us in the second half with the wind behind them so I was a little disappointed to go in only two up.

"They pushed men forward in the second half and we were caught by a sucker punch when they scored but I felt we then defended well and could have scored another.

"We have the players to turn things around and we are now starting to show what we can do."

Whitburn took the lead in the first minute when Alex Lurinsky netted from Chris Dolan's cross.

The visitors doubled their lead after 25 minutes when Kevin Donnelly hit a 20-yard screamer that flew into the top corner.

After the break Linlithgow showed more spirit and McArthur pulled one back with a deflected shot from 20 yards but it was too little too late .

Linlithgow boss Brian Fairley said: "I have to say the better team won as they were up for it from the start.

"One thing for sure is we will have to play a lot better against them in the Cup if we want to progress."

Thistle crash out of Scottish Cup to end their dream of glory

Oct 15 2008 by Paul Thomson

East Kilbride News

HOPES for a lengthy run in this season’s Scottish Junior Cup were dashed as East Kilbride Thistle fell 3-1 to a superior Whitburn side on Saturday afternoon.

Colin Mitchell’s side were under pressure for long spells of this intriguing tie and despite Alex Lurinsky’s opener just before the break, Gareth Davies’ exquisite equaliser brought prolonged hope for the local side.

But almost as soon as Davies’ strike hit the back of the net, Andrew Doig regained Whitburn’s lead deep into first half stoppage time and the East Region side never looked back to book their next round spot.

In a week that saw revelations of a new planned stadium on the site of the Showpark, Thistle’s encounter with Whitburn ironically had to be moved to Blantyre Vics’ Castle Park.

But the real story was out on the pitch as the Jags aimed for another run in the juniors’ premier cup competition, with Mitchell making his managerial debut in this tournament.

And after good pressure from Whitburn, they deservedly took the lead on 42 minutes when Hannah’s flick left the struggling Stuart Sangster chasing shadows before delivering into the area.

Lurinsky was in the right place at the right time to finish the cross from 10 yards out to find the net.

The spongy surface was never going to make this cup tie a classic by any means, but Gareth Davies’ wonderful equaliser on the stroke of half time gave the watching supporters hope.

A poor clearance by Jamie Mackay fell to Davies on the inside left, who cut inside and unleashed a deadly dipping shot that flew over Burn keeper Stewart Walker and into the net.

But the celebrations had barely died down when Whitburn found their way to goal again after the referee, bizarrely, played three minutes of first half injury time.

A break down the left following the restart allowed Dolan to cross into Thistle’s area with Hannah producing an excellent half volley into the top corner.

With Sangster still suffering the effects of his hip injury, Jags boss Colin Mitchell made the correct decision in replacing him with new signing Andy Donaldson, who arrived at the Showpark from Cambuslang Rangers during the week.

Into the second half, and EK came out of the traps quickly plugging away, but to no avail. With the Jags looking unlikely to breach the Whitburn defence once more Alan McCrae replaced Paul Woods in the 72nd minute as the Jags went with three up front as they went in search of an equaliser.

Despite EK’s best efforts though, it was the visitors who had the final say.

A well-placed cross from John Murphy across the face of goal found the unmarked Lurinsky, leaving him with an easy tap in to make it 3-1.

Both teams had attempted to play good football throughout, on a difficult surface. However, in the end it was the superior finishing from the Super Premier side which saw them through to the second round of Junior football’s premier tournament.

East Kilbride 1-3 Whitburn

From the Daily Record

Oct 13 2008

RICKY ORR rued an opportunity missed as his side were easily dumped out of the Scottish Cup 3-1 by Whitburn.

The midfielder admitted Thistle only had themselves to blame as a below-par performance saw them fall at the first hurdle.

But Orr is convinced they can pick themselves up and return to form in their league campaign.

He said: "We were quite confident going into this match but if I'm being honest we didn't deserve to win.

"We were looking for a good run in this competition and it's gone in the first round which is disappointing.

"That's us out of all the cups and now our focus is on the league so hopefully we can lift our game and get back to winning ways.

"We are a good side and if we can get our confidence back I'm sure we can be among the title challengers come the end of the season."

There were three goals in the last five minutes of the first half with Gareth Davies cancelling out Alex Lurinsky's opener for Whitburn before Kenny Hannah restored the visitors' lead.

Colin Strickland rattled the Jags bar after the break but it wasn't until John Murphy teed up Lurinsky to fire home in the last minute that Whitburn finally sealed the points.

The West Lothian side's boss Derek Strickland said: "We took our time to score a third goal but overall I thought we deserved our win.

"We realised due to the heavy pitch we couldn't play our normal passing game and had to resort to a longer ball. However, it worked and I don't have any complaints."

Late Tayport strike is cruel finish for Whitburn
Edinburgh Evening News 9th September 2008

By John Gilmour

Tayport 1 Whitburn 1

TEN-MAN Whitburn came within a couple of minutes of taking all three points from a tough trip to Fife after Alex Lurinsky had given them a first-half lead.
The ten men held out for 60 minutes after Kenny Hannah had been sent off for arguing over a disputed throw-in on the half hour mark. Up to that point they were in control of the game with fast, flowing attractive football despite struggling against a very strong wind. Tayport couldn't handle the pace of Whitburn and if Hannah had stayed on the field the visitors may have won comfortably.
Assistant boss Dan McComiskey was disappointed for the players afterwards. "The boys who stayed on the field did a tremendous job and I'm gutted for them because we should have won that game," he said. "Kenny Hannah should have known better than to start arguing with the referee over a throw-in. To argue over such an incident is not acceptable.
"Last season we never drew a match in our league campaign but already this year we've drawn our opening two. At half time we organised things in the way we do at training with two banks of four at the back and a lone striker, and we were holding them until injury time. They never really troubled our defence and I thought we deserved better than a draw. The players are down after this but will bounce back. We played some great football out there today and it's a pity we didn't get the chance to finish the game off for ourselves."
Certainly the first half had Whitburn in control. Lurinsky brought out a tremendous save from Fraser Fitzpatrick in the Tayport goal before Whitburn opened their account. In the 25th minute another surging run down the right wing from Hannah caused havoc in the Tayport defence. He passed to John Murphy who let fly with a volley which the keeper blocked.
Lurinsky showed all his predatory instincts to pounce and slam the loose ball into the net for a well worked goal. Five minutes later, and with Whitburn controlling the pace of the game, they were down to ten men over a piece of nonsense. The referee blew for a throw-in to Tayport down the right wing. Hannah disputed the call saying it should have gone to Whitburn. For his dissent he was booked by the referee but, despite the shouts of his coaches to calm down, he continued to argue with the referee and linesman. He was booked for a second time and promptly sent off much to the disgust of the travelling support.
All this over a throw-in 90 yards from the Whitburn goal line. Tayport then stepped up a gear. The pattern of the game had changed and the home side made full use of the extra man.
Into the second half and Tayport kept up the momentum. They pounded the Whitburn goal but only on a couple of occasions did they really threaten. When they did manage an effort at goal they found keeper Stewart Walker in good form alongside Scott Murphy and Colin Leiper, the former having one of his best games in a Whitburn jersey.
Ninety minutes had come and gone before Tayport equalised. They took a short corner on the left and drove the ball over to the back post where Derek Wemyss headed it back. Sub Darren Scott headed goalwards but Leiper glanced the ball out of Walker's hand and into the net. It was a sore one for Whitburn to lose. They had held out for an hour with ten men and to drop two points in the last minute was soul destroying.
Goalscorer Lurinsky said: "We should have won that game. It's two points dropped. When we scored it was great build up play from John and Kenny. It's instinct to gamble when you're a striker and it paid off today with a goal.
"It's my job to be where it hurts. I couldn't believe it when Kenny was sent off. They told me to play down the right wing then but I didn't like it. This is a better Whitburn team than last season but it's too early to say if we'll win anything. If the football we played when we had 11 players on the field is anything to go by then we're in with a chance."
If Whitburn want to go one better than last season, when they finished runners up, then they must finish off sides when enjoying such an advantage. They were let down on Saturday by the red card.

Tayport: Fitzpatrick, Fallon, Paterson, Urquhart (Scott), Wemyss, Juskawiak (McCrindle), Morris, O'Connor, McNaughton, Craik (Elvin), Webster. Subs: Pepper, Morris.
 

Whitburn: Walker, S Murphy, Mooney, McGurk, Leiper, Doig, Hannah, J Murphy, Roberts, Lurinsky (D Murphy), Dolan. Subs: Rodgers, McKay.

Mbu earns his chance with Cowdenbeath
Edinburgh Evening News 15th July 2008

By John Gilmour

WHITBURN central defender Joe Mbu has earned himself a one-year deal with Cowdenbeath after impressing manager Danny Lennon.

The 26-year-old had been invited to join the Blue Brazil for pre-season training and has obviously done enough to be given a chance at senior level with the Second Division side.

Mbu has been a huge success at Whitburn juniors over the last three seasons, winning Scotland Junior caps in the past two. On both occasions, the Scotland squad has won their tournament involving Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Mbu, whose uncle played for Cameroon in the World Cup 1998 finals in France, has been attracting the attention of other senior clubs recently, including East Fife.

The player himself felt the time was right for this move. He said: "I'm delighted to be given this chance to try myself at a higher level. I know it's a big step, but it's one I feel ready for. When I was asked to come to training I jumped at it. It's a one-year contract but if I play well enough then who knows what the future holds?

"If I didn't take this chance then I would never know. Whitburn have been a really good club for me. I feel I've come on a great deal since I signed for them. I've won Scotland caps and had a great time. We nearly won the Super League in the last two seasons and it was a big step up then when I joined them from Armadale.

"I would like to thank everyone at Whitburn who have supported me, and given me stick when required. They supported my every step and I'm grateful to Derek Strickland and the boys."

And Whitburn boss Strickland expressed his delight at the move. "Joe is going with everyone at the club's blessing. We're delighted for him. He's a credit to the club and himself. Since we signed him we've never had the least bit of bother and it couldn't happen to a nicer boy. He's been good for Whitburn and we think Whitburn have been good for him. He's another in a long line of players who have been capped for Scotland from this club and he's a great example of what can be achieved here. It gives you a boost when you see one of the players you have signed taking a step up. It feels like you're doing the right thing.

"When the other players see this happening then they too can believe they have a chance."