Match date: 19th March 2022 Kickoff: 14.30 pm

Stoneyburn Juniors  0    Dunbar United     1

Dunbar made their first visit to Beechwood Park, Stoneyburn since December 2016 and were looking to kick start their League Cup campaign after a narrow defeat against Kennoway Star Hearts last weekend.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon the hosts kicked off and forced two corners in quick succession, before Dunbar settled and went close themselves from their third corner with Jamie Devlin forcing Gavin McQuillan into a full stretch save.

Minutes later Andy Jones read a Darren Handling head flick,  but the ball would not fall favourably for him before being cleared.  Stoneyburn were full of running and very competitive but were relying on the long ball to create chances on the bumpy surface.

Darren Handling headed a free kick wide as Dunbar began to control the game but the hosts were appealing for a penalty after Dunbar keeper Ryan Mack collided with a Stoneyburn forward just as his shot went high over the bar.

Andy Jones blasted another shot over the bar before Ryan Mack miskicked a clearance just on the interval but the lacklustre game remained goalless.

Minutes after the restart the home side went close with a shot from twenty yards before Dunbar were unlucky not to open the scoring after Jamie Devlin ran on to Darren Handling’s head flick and lobbed the keeper only to see the ball rebound from the crossbar.

The goal was only delayed three minutes and in the 52nd minute Jamie Devlin stroked home from close range after Darren Handling created space on the right of the box and fired low across the face of the goal.

Dunbar were dominant now but could not find a second goal to ensure the win and Stoneyburn were always dangerous on the counter attack. Andy Jones missed a chance with only the keeper to beat before Bob Berry went close with a shot cum cross and Jamie Devlin forced three good saves from Stoneyburn’s keeper before being replaced by Nicky Weir with twelve minutes left to play.

Andy Jones had another two shots saved by the keeper before the hosts were reduced to ten men in the 88th minute after Darren Handling was crudely brought down with only the keeper to beat.  Four minutes of added time played before the referee brought the game to an end and Dunbar deservedly picked up their first three points in their League Cup section.

Not the greatest game to watch on a heavy and uneven surface against a very competitive young Stoneyburn side,  but Dunbar will be happy to get a win and a clean sheet under their belt before next Saturday’s League match at home to high flying Linlithgow Rose,  with kick off at 2.30pm. Tickets for the game are on sale via the club’s Fanbase app.

Stoneyburn Juniors :- Gavin McQuillan, Liam Young, Scott Hislop, Tony Guatella, Colin Gallagher, David Hendry, Joe Brady, Scott Mackie, Callum Robertson, Lewis McKee, Ryan Robertson.

Substitutes :- Euan Scott, Seb Tinning, Dean McConnell, Jorge Smith, David Gibson.

Dunbar United :- Ryan Mack, Grant Thomson, Evan Fleming, Michael McFarlane, Dean Whitson, Kieran Ingram, Bob Berry, Darren Smith, Andy Jones, Darren Handling, Jamie Devlin.

Substitutes :- Nicky Weir, Daniel Laing, Scott Hay, Fraser Neave, Johnny Edmond.

Referee :- Sean Duff

Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood

Photos by Dave Black