09/04/04 Hill Of Beath Hawthorns v Musselburgh Athletic
OVD Scottish Cup Replay

Musselburgh free kick finds a way through the Haws wall

 
Winning Goal in extra time that took The Haws into the OVD Semi Final against Carnoustie Panmure

AT the third time of asking Hill of Beath progressed to  the semi-final of the OVD Scottish Junior Cup in a thrilling match which went all the way to extra time. The first game at Musselburgh ended in a no-scoring draw and last week's replay was abandoned after 78 minutes. Musselburgh pressed strongly from the kick-off and McGlynn sent one over the crossbar from 25 yards. A Lee Dair header was cleared by the Burgh defence followed by a very tight angled shot from the left seeing the Burgh keeper Scott Cantley double handing the save for a corner. Musselburgh were quick with a reply  with a  drive from 10-yards that was well saved by McGurk A Lee Dair effort went close after a 20-yard shot that which shaved  the crossbar. Musselburgh were quick into the action of the second period with a  Forrester header finding McGurk fully stretched to make the save. Musselburgh went ahead on the  63rd minute mark  when Paul Parkin hit a glorious 25-yard rocket which hit the back of the net with the Haws keeper rooted to the spot. The Haw's went down to 10 men with 4 minutes of normal time left  when  Scott Ross, who had only been on for five minutes, received a red car I think he may have been lippy to the referee as Haws were pressing hard looking for a late equaliser. With seconds remaining and the crowd standing at the exit gates late sub James McNab sent over a searching cross finding the head of Barry Smith who tucked his header into the top left corner of the Musselburgh goal. The Musselburgh support held their heads in total disbelief. Seconds after the restart the ref blew for 90 minutes. Two 15 minutes of tension were to follow. 11 minutes into the first period of extra time the Musselburgh support were again served a sever blow when the Haws went ahead after Darren Wright shot within the area and the ball was defected past the outstretched Burgh keeper Cantley. Musselburgh never let their heads fall but failed to find the equiliser of an exciting match. Well played both sides.

10/04/04 - Fife League Dundonald Bluebell 0 v 3 Rosyth Recreation

Rosyth kept their slim chance of gaining promotion to the East Super
League alive with an, in the end, comfortable win against Dundonald
Bluebell this afternoon. In a fairly even first half with Rosyth
playing up the slope a goal by full back Rab RYAN on 40 minutes
separated the teams at half-time. The goal came out of the blue with
Ryan hitting a speculative cross from the touch line on the left and
the ball drifted past the Dundonald 'keeper.

The second half was only six minutes old when Grameme SAWERS doubled
the lead. Mark Tanner made a forceful run down the left and squared
to let Sawers pass the ball into an empty net. Rosyth continued to
look the likelier team aided by some poor defensive work by Dundonald
but it was not until the 76th minute that they put the match beyond
Dundonald's reach. Excellent battling by a Trialist, Scott Logan and
Brian Vaughan ended with the ball breaking to the Trialist who netted.

Many thanks to Portile1979 for report

10/4/04 - Fife League Lochore Welfare 4 v 1 Lochgelly Albert

Many Thanks to Tam Graham for report

17/04/04 - Fife League Rosyth Recreation 1 Lochgelly Albert 3

Rosyth Recreation 1 - 3 Lochgelly Albert Lochgelly deservedly won this clash which ended Rosyth's hope of winning the Fife League and promotion to the East Super League. The home team took an early lead when Scott Logan blocked a clearance and ran through to chip the 'keeper in style. Thereafter it was downhill for Rosyth with Lochgelly equalising shortly before half-time albeit there were suspicions of offside. Short of staff today so I had to go and sell the pies at half-time meaning I missed the last ten minutes of the first half and first ten minutes of the second. Don't think anything meaningful happened apart from a torrential rain storm which I missed! Lochgelly took the lead about twenty minutes into the second half when 'keeper McNeely failed to hold a free kick and the ball was eventually squeezed home by the visitors. Rosyth were chasing the game thereafter without really threatening and were caught on the break by Lochgelly to finish the match as a contest. A lot of huffing and puffing by Rosyth thereafter with no clear cut chances being created although Billy Spence hit the cross-bar from a free kick. As I started Lochgelly deserved to win but one individual in their management team will have to learn how to behave when they win. His behaviour, including foul and abusive language directed at Rosyth players "rubbing it in", was totally unacceptable.

By winning 3 - 0 at Lochore today Thornton Hibs won the Fife District League title and promotion to the East Super League. CONGRATULATIONS to all at Thornton.

Many thanks to Portile1979 for report