Linlithgow 5 Kennoway Star Hearts 5
Looking to bounce back after last week`s defeat against table toppers Bonnyrigg this week was another tough ask as KSH saw them take on second place Linlithgow Rose . The Rose had played six games at home winning six while only conceding two goals along the way.
The game saw a debut start for striker Lee Bryce and he made an impact inside nine minutes. The bustling forward collected the ball on the halfway line before a driving run took him into the heart of the Rose defence. A foul was conceded twenty five yards from goal. Mathew Gay stepped up and his vicious effort was saved by Hill but unfortunately for the `keeper Rolland was on hand to tap home the rebound. A fantastic lift for Kennoway as the goal stunned the large home support.
Linlithgow then tried to impose their midfield onto the game as they prompt and probed for an opening. A makeshift KSH defence saw both Band and McGowan playing unfamiliar full back roles due to injuries and illness. A valiant effort was required as the pressure mounted.
C.Gay was also making his own mark in the middle of the park as he looked to get Collins and Craig involved in the wide areas. One pin point pass released Collins on the left and the youngster drifted inside before shooting just wide.
The touch and finesse of Coyne was bringing more of his team mates into the game and it was no surprise the forward was on hand to hit home the equaliser in the 24th minute. A corner from the left was clawed away by Paterson but Linlithgow`s all time top goalscorer blasted home high into the net from ten yards.
What happened next was as bizarre a goal anyone present will ever see. Straight from centre Kennoway regained the lead with the quick thinking from skipper Chris Gay saw Hill talking to one of the coaches at the side of his goal. With precision accuracy the midfielder hit the ball true and straight from the half way line. Hill raced back but it was too late as the ball bounced high into the corner of the goal.
The lead only lasted eight minutes as another slick passing move from right to left saw Strickland get on the end of a low cross as he slid the ball into the net from a few yards out. Paterson was called to make a save a few minutes later as he dived low to his right to save again from the busy Strickland.
The game was providing fantastic entertainment and KSH almost grabbed the lead again when a Craig cross was headed wide from six yards by Bryce. HT 2-2
After such a great advert for Junior football could the second half live up to the action from the first. A resounding yes was the answer and inside the second minute Kennoway Star Hearts again shocked their hosts with a well worked goal.
Craig intercepted a pass on the half way line and proceeded to carry the ball into Linlithgow`s half, Bryce drifted out to the right and Craig found the striker with a crisp pass, the striker two a few touches before he curled an exquisite chip over the stranded Hill from twenty yards.
A barrage of attacks were to follow as Kennoway had to dig deep as Linlithgow were not wanting to lose their 100% home record. A Ronald shot evaded Paterson but Brewster somehow managed to get back and clear the ball on the goal line.
On the hour mark KSH scored a tremendous team goal. C.Gay showed great grit as he slid into a tackle winning the ball before it broke to Craig, the winger then fed Bryce who held off two challenges before playing the ball wide to M.Gay, the forward whipped in a pinpoint cross where Rolland crashed a header into the ground before entering the roof of the net.
Still thirty minutes to go and more dram to unfold. Ten minutes after KSH had got a two goal lead Thom reduced the deficit once again when he managed to get on the end of a cross and head home inside the six yard box.
A nervy time to follow as Strickland stung the fingers of Paterson after a solo run saw the forward enter the penalty area before hitting a low shot to the KSH `keepers left hand side.
MacLennan grabbed the home side`s fourth goal of the game when he collected the ball on the edge of the eighteen yard box before advancing and siding the ball home from twelve yards.
However the action still had a bit to run. Batchelor then smashed in a shot from point blank range that Paterson saved. At the other end of the pitch Collins won the ball and backheeled it to C.Gay, the midfielder slid the ball behind the full back and into the path of Shaw, the forward took the ball past the `keeper and was fouled. Referee pointed to the spot and the pressure was on M.Gay`s shoulders as he stepped up and sent Hill the wrong way. Two minutes remaining and the twists and turns continued.
On the 90th minute Linlithgow hit back again with another equaliser. Band went down injured in the middle of the park and the ball was played to the right wing, with space to exploit the ball was fired into the middle where Strickland dived to head home almost on the goal line.
Nine minutes injury were played as both team`s looked for a winner. Another fine passing move involving Collins and Shaw released M.Gay but his shot was blocked. In the dying embers of the game the Rose had a penalty claim of their own but the referee pointed for a corner kick. The referee blew for full time soon after and then sent off Devine from Linlithgow for dissent. FT 5-5
A real classic and one that will live long in the memory of anyone who was there.
Team : Partridge McGowan Brewster Partridge Band Craig Rolland C.Gay Collins M.Gay Bryce Subs: Shaw Bremner
Thank you to BSM media and Linlithgow Rose for video highlights . All copyright @ BSM Media
