Match date: 11th of July 2023 Kickoff: 19.30 pm
Tranent FC 1 Dunbar United 2
Dunbar United continued their pre-season Friendlies with a first visit to Foresters Park, Tranent since the hosts changed their name from Tranent Juniors to Tranent FC and with them now playing in The Lowland League, one tier above Dunbar, the visitors faced a daunting task.
On a lovely night for football and in front of a large crowd it was the visitors who created the first chance when Taylor Hendry ghosted in at the back post but his shot was cleared of the line.
Tranent raced upfield on the counter attack but the Dunbar defence stood up well and blocked the shot. However it was Tranent who made the breakthrough in the sixth minute when Martin Maughan ran on to a lovely through ball from Lennon Walker and his first time shot caught Sean Brennan by surprise and rolled past him into the net.
Five minutes later Tranent missed a great chance to increase their lead after Grant Thomson was caught in possession leaving Lennon Walker only the Dunbar keeper to beat but Sean Brennan brought off two brilliant saves to deny the Tranent player.
Martin Maughan fired another shot over the bar before Dunbar almost gifted Tranent a goal with some poor decision making from a goal kick but again Tranent wasted the chance with the goal at their mercy.
Ben Miller had a shot saved by Sean Brennan before Dunbar had a chance to equalise when Dean Whitson headed back across goal from a corner but Johnny Edmond headed over the bar.
Taylor Hendry had a header saved by Tranent’s trialist keeper before the impressive Lennon Walker forced Sean Brennan into a full stretch save just before the interval and despite dominating the first half Tranent only had one goal to show for their efforts.
Numerous changes to both sides before the hour mark with Dunbar getting more into the game and Johnny Edmond beat a Tranent defender before rounding the keeper but his extra touch spoiled him from scoring.
Just on the hour mark Dunbar equalised with a real contender for goal of the season when Michael Barfoot picked up the ball on the right wing just over the halfway line, spotted the keeper of his line and fired an unstoppable shot over his head and into the net for his first goal in Dunbar colours since signing from Leith Athletic in the close season.
Robbie McIntyre headed wide from a Tranent corner as the home side tried to regain the lead but it was Dunbar who scored again in the 68th minute when Cammy Dawson picked the pocket of a home defender and drove towards goal with Gregor Goldie alongside him. Dawson elected to go himself, rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle to send Dunbar into a 2-1 lead.
Dunbar were playing some lovely football and might well have added to their lead when Ben Bathgate finished off a great move by firing low across the face of the goal which only needed a touch to end up in the net.
Tranent threw everything at Dunbar but Sean Brennan touched a Watson header over the bar before Gordon Harris did well to deflect another Tranent cross onto the bar before being cleared to safety.
Deep into injury time Ben Miller tried another shot which struck the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal kick and it was the visitors who took the bragging rights home to Dunbar from another really entertaining game.
A game of missed chances for both sides but probably the best second half display from Dunbar United for a long time with every player hungry for the ball, chasing back and really working hard as a team.
Another hard match on Saturday with Hearts B team from The Lowland League visiting New Countess Park with kick off once again at 2.30 pm and hopefully the locals will again turn out in numbers to support the home side against a young Hearts side. Tickets for the match are on sale via Fanbase:
Tranent :- Trialist, Kieran Somerville, Euan Greig, Euan Bauld, Robbie McIntyre, Alan Horne, Ben Miller, Alasson Jones, Martin Maughan, Kallum Higginbotham, Lennon Walker.
Substitutes :- Cammy Ross, Broque Watson, Aidan Walsh, Sean Murphy, Dean Brett, Callum Donaldson, Nick Kayamo
Dunbar United :- Sean Brennan, Bob Berry, James Redpath, Dean Whitson, Grant Thomson, Aaron Congalton, Kyle Somers, Michael Barfoot, Johnny Edmond, Darren Handling, Taylor Hendry.
Substitutes :- Shea Dowie, Gordon Harris, Cammy Dawson, Fraser Neave, Liam Gregory, Ben Bathgate, Sean Stewart, Gregor Goldie.
Referee :- Sean Duff.
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
Photos by Gordon Maitland. Please visit our Facebook page for more photos.
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“Mon the Seasiders “