Dunbar United vs Leith Athletic

Match date: 17th June 2021 Kickoff: 19:30

Dunbar began their first pre-season friendly against Conference League A challengers Leith Athletic who were playing their second game having lost 3-2 at Fauldhouse United last weekend.

Five new signings started the game for Dunbar who almost got of to the perfect start inside the first minute when Jamie Devlin lobbed the Leith keeper from the left only to see his shot rebound from the post. Shortly afterwards Ben Bathgate found Devlin on the edge of the box but his shot struck the visiting keeper before falling for Jo Purves who again was foiled by a Leith defender.

Leith began to settle and John Johnstone in the Dunbar goal kept the score intact with a full stretch save before the visitors took the lead in the 17th minute with a great strike from Mackenzie at the edge of the box after drifting past the covering defender. Devlin almost intercepted a headed clearance from Leith’s Hume to his keeper before the visitors increased their lead in the 27th minute when a lofted free kick was headed home unchallenged at the back post by the tall Leith forward, Kneeshaw.

Dunbar pushed on looking to reduce the leeway and a Neave free kick saw Devlin’s overhead kick go wide before Andy Jones saw his shot strike the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

Both sides rang the changes at the break and Dunbar began to dictate play but the Leith defence were resolute and well organised. Fraser McLaren, Keith Tait and Grant Thomson all went close with shots, before the Leith centre Maughan missed a great chance to seal the win after Ingram failed to clear for Dunbar.

Five minutes before full time Dunbar did pull a goal back when a fierce cross from Darren Handling was headed downwards and into the net by the hard working debutant Jamie Devlin with his first goal for the club. Leith held on for the final minutes to clinch victory.

Not a lot between the sides on this display but plenty to think about for the Dunbar management before their next Friendly away to Ormiston on Wednesday night with a 7.30pm kick off.

Dunbar United :- John Johnstone, Jo Purves, Andy Jones, Kieran Ingram, Michael McFarlane, Nicky Weir, Ben Bathgate, Bob Berry, Fraser McLaren, Fraser Neave, Jamie Devlin.

Substitutes :- Daniel Laing, Grant Thomson, Keith Tait, Darren Handling, Michael Fairnie

Referee :- Iain Snedden

Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood
Photos by Gordon Maitland