Match date: 1st of October Kickoff: 14.30 pm
Dunbar United 1 Luncarty FC 0
Perthshire based Luncarty made their first ever visit to New Countess Park, Dunbar on Saturday looking to maintain their top of the League status. The clubs had only ever played each other once before, back in 1929 when Dunbar triumphed 5-1 in a Scottish Junior Cup tie.
The home side made one change from their midweek draw at Camelon with Jonny Grotlin replacing the injured Jordan Hopkinson, whilst the visitors had their high scoring forward Rhys Davies playing up front.
A strong crossfield wind made conditions difficult for both sides but it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous from the start and Rhys Davies had an early shot saved by Sean Brennan in the Dunbar goal before James Yeats had a shot blocked by Willis Hare.
Ben Scarborough then flicked a cross inches wide as both sides probed for the opening goal. Dunbar weathered the visitors early onslaught and after 20 minutes Ben Bathgate dropped his shoulder and forced a brilliant save from Luncarty’s keeper before Shaun Miller had a shot blocked.
Some lovely neat flowing play on the right saw Ben Bathgate clear on goal and his delicately chipped shot over the keeper struck the crossbar and agonisingly rolled out of play.
Dunbar continued to dominate and Kerr Allan went close with a scissors kick at the back post before Darren Smith fired into the side net then Cammy Dawson had a shot saved by the keeper’s legs.
Luncarty got the benefit of the doubt a few minutes before half time with a foul inside the box which the referee waved aside but deep into first half injury time Willis Hare had a great run into the box and his cross was adjudged to have struck a defenders hand with the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
After a lengthy delay Darren Smith held his nerve and calmly sent the Luncarty keeper the wrong way from the penalty and fired Dunbar into a deserved 1-0 lead and scored his own fourth goal of the season.
Luncarty pushed on after the restart and Rhys Davies had a shot saved well by Sean Brennan after Willis Hare was caught in possession. With driving rain adding to the strong wind conditions were less than ideal before Dunbar again took control and Jonny Grotlin saw a shot blocked by the keeper’s legs before the same player had a scissors kick parried away by the Luncarty keeper.
On the hour mark Ben Bathgate found himself one on one with the visitors keeper but again the youngster was denied by a fine save. Ten minutes later Bob Berry beat his marker on the right and his cut back was met perfectly by Cammy Dawson but the big striker fired high over the bar with the Luncarty defence static.
Jonny Grotlin and Ben Bathgate were both booked after an incident involving the Luncarty captain and five minutes later Bathgate picked up a second booking for a tackle and left Dunbar with ten men for the remaining fifteen minutes of play.
Luncarty threw everything at Dunbar for the rest of the game and went close when Robbie Holden ran into space but was denied by a great save at his feet by Sean Brennan. Seven minutes of added time were played before the final whistle sounded with Dunbar deservedly picking up another hard earned three points.
Again the defence looked solid against a very good Luncarty side and credit to all the players for picking themselves up from a disappointing result last weekend. Dunbar now sit in third place in the League and are only one point behind the leaders with another home League match next weekend against Lochore Welfare, with kick-off again at 2.30pm. Tickets for the game are on sale via the club’s Fanbase app:
Dunbar United :- Sean Brennan, Michael McFarlane, Kerr Allan, Grant Thomson, Jonny Grotlin, Bob Berry, Cammy Dawson, Ben Bathgate, Willis Hare, Shaun Miller, Darren Smith.
Substitutes :- Shea Dowie, James Redpath, Liam Gregory, Fraser Neave, Gregor Goldie, Aaron Congalton.
Luncarty FC :- Craig Hepburn, James Yeats, Liam Strong, Danny Dobie, Lewis Mackie, Craig Mitchell, Keith Dewar, Ben Scarborough, Oli Hamilton, Rhys Davies, Keillour Lowe.
Substitutes :- Nathan Downes, Ben English, Aaron Carlon, Richard Montgomery, Robbie Holden.
Referee :- Konrad Spalony.
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
Photos by Gordon Maitland.
Mon the Seasiders!