Match date: 23rd July 2022 Kickoff: 2.30 pm
Dunbar United 3 Arniston Rangers FC 1
With a week before the start of their League campaign, Dunbar United continued their pre-season Friendlies with a match against League Two side Arniston Rangers and might have taken the lead in the opening two minutes when full back James Redpath shot inches past the post.
However the lightning start paid dividends two minutes later when a quick one two left Ben Bathgate in the clear and the youngster drove forward and fired low into the net to give the home side the lead despite some vocal calls for offside from the away dugout.
Arniston had a header from Scott Moffat saved well by Shea Dowie in the Dunbar goal before Dunbar increased their lead in the 14th minute when Jordan Hopkinson chipped the ball over the visiting defence into the path of Ben Bathgate who again drilled the ball low into the corner of the net.
Dunbar were playing some lovely neat football and a minute later Cammy Dawson fired home after a lovely passing movement but the referee disallowed the goal for offside.
Ben Bathgate and Fraser Neave both missed chances to increase Dunbar’s lead before the visitors made a change with Scott Moffat replaced by Scott Waterson. Tom Davies had a chance for the visitors but fired high over the bar before Dunbar’s Cammy Dawson headed wide, then had a shot saved by James McQueen in the Arniston goal.
James Redpath, Jordan Hopkinson and Willis Hare all had efforts deflected for corners as Dunbar kept up the momentum before Arniston’s Leon Bell wasted a good chance by firing wide at the back post
Four minutes from half time Cammy Dawson again had the ball in the net after a quick one two with Fraser Neave but again the referee chalked the goal off for a dubious offside decision.
Right on the half time whistle the visitors were thrown a lifeline after the referee awarded them a soft looking penalty but Ryan Moore’s well struck shot was saved well by Shea Dowie to keep the score line intact.
Dunbar made three substitutions after the restart and local lad, Liam Gregory made a dream start scoring his first goal for the club after signing from Musselburgh Athletic, with barely one minute on the clock, after picking up the ball on the edge of the box and drilling it into the corner of the net despite a fine effort from the Arniston keeper.
James Redpath fired over when well placed and Cammy Dawson headed inches over as Dunbar continued to dictate and great play from Willis Hare on the right saw his cross finished off by Cammy Dawson at full stretch inside the box but again his goal was chalked off by the official for offside for the third time in the game.
On the hour mark both sides rang the changes and within minutes Johnny Edmond headed wide from a Fraser Neave cross and then the same player might have scored from a lovely Willis Hare cross.
Substitute keeper Sean Brennan saved well from Arniston’s Tom Davies after a quick Arniston counter attack before the same player scored a consolation goal eleven minutes from full time when he rode three tackles before firing past the Dunbar keeper to put a better reflection on the score.
Dunbar still pushed on and almost scored with six minutes left after three Dunbar players got in each other’s way following a Fraser Neave free kick before Michael McFarlane’s shot was stopped on the line by the Arniston keeper.
Right on the final whistle Liam Gregory sadly pulled up again with a recurrence of his hamstring injury and will probably now be a doubt for the opening League games.
A convincing win for the hosts against a strong Arniston Rangers side who battled on to the end but with more clinical finishing for Dunbar the score could have been much higher.
A special word for Dunbar striker Cammy Dawson who can count himself unlucky to have three goals chalked off for offside, but the big man looked to be enjoying his game and still managed to have some friendly banter with the match official during the game.
Dunbar’s final pre-season match is at home against a very strong looking Hibernian FC Development Squad who are presently unbeaten in their own pre-season beating both Norwich City and Arsenal youngsters last week, and with Darren McGregor marshalling things in the centre of their defence it is one not to be missed.
The game this Tuesday night kicks off at 7.30pm. Tickets for the match are on sale via the club’s Fanbase app.
Dunbar United :-Shea Dowie, James Redpath, Kerr Allan, Bob Berry, Cammy Dawson, Fraser Neave, Ben Bathgate, Jordan Hopkinson, Willis Hare, Darren Smith, Dean Whitson.
Substitutes :- Sean Brennan, Michael McFarlane, Liam Gregory, Johnny Edmond, Sean Miller, Aaron Congalton.
Arniston Rangers :- James McQueen, Leon Bell, Elliott Grieve, Stephen Anderson, Ty McLean, Ryan Moore, Scott Moffat, Tom Davies, Arran Laidlaw, Dan Greig, Mickey Kennedy.
Substitutes :- Liam McCardle, Scott Waterson, James Peggie, Stephen Abbott, Kieran Douglas, Trialist.
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
Photos by Gordon Maitland.
Mon the Seasiders!