Kennoway Star Hearts 2-3 Whitburn Juniors
With the bottom two team`s in the league playing each other KSH were under pressure due to a run of results that saw them on zero points from four games.
Understandably the game started in a cautious manner with both team`s reluctant to open up in the opening period. Gradually as the players settled chances were being created.
The first chance saw a shot from Johnstone that sailed over the crossbar as Kennoway looked the more dominant team.
Then two chances for Bryce for the home side, the first in the 18th minute saw Band play his strike partner through only for Bryce to see his lobbed effort beat the `keeper but sail wide of the target. Then two minutes later Bryce powered his way past a few challenges to get a shot away that hit the side net.
Whitburn had a chance of their own when a Boyle cross was headed towards goal by Brass where Swinton made a comfortable save.
On the thirty minute mark McQuillan looked to be in a good position to score but for the intervention of Bremner for the home side with a last gasp block. HT 0-0
The start of the second half saw Whitburn with a glorious chance to open the scoring. Duncan played in McQuillan but the striker pulled his shot wide of the target when it looked easier to score.
This let off seemed to galvanise the home side and Band tested the Whitburn `keeper with a shot from the edge of the area. Ten minutes into the second half the striker got his reward when he out paced Griffin after a pass from Bryce, he then entered the penalty area and placed a shot past the helpless `keeper.
It was a relief and a confidence boost the home side needed. The next chance saw another shot from Band saved and turned away for a corner kick. From the resultant corner R.Muir saw a header flash across the goal.
With eighteen minutes remaining Whitburn drew level when fine striking play from Brass saw the bustling forward hold off a few challenges before spinning and hitting a low drive into the bottom corner of the goal.
Three minutes later KSH regained the lead. A late run from D.Muir saw his volleyed effort deflected wide for a corner kick. This time Johnstone`s corner eventually arrived at the feet of Doig who scored with a cool finish.
The ding dong battle continued with Whitburn levelling two minutes later when a long ball was latched upon by Docherty and he lifted the ball over the advancing Swinton.
The game looked up for grabs for either side and in the very last minute Band played in Bryce only for the strikers effort to be smothered by the relieved Whitburn `keeper.
The unthinkable happened two minutes into time added on, just when a draw looked the likely outcome. A run on the right from Duncan saw the player advance into the box where he saw his shot deflect off a KSH defender for a cruel end to an open game as the ball nestled in the goal. The Whitburn players celebrated as the KSH players looked shell-shocked after dominating twice having the lead in what was a must win game. FT 2-3
Team: Swinton Mair Doig Bremner Brewster Young Craig Johnstone Rolland Band Bryce Subs: D.Muir R.Muir Paterson Watson Collins
