Match date: 19th April 2022 Kickoff: 19.30 pm
Tranent Juniors FC 3 Dunbar United 0
With Tranent needing to win to maintain their title challenge and Dunbar needing points to secure safety in the League, the stage was set for an epic late season derby match.
The visitors had the first chance in the opening minute when a cross from Ben Bathgate was headed over by Jamie Devlin. Tranent eventually settled and Jamie Docherty shot over the bar after cutting inside from the left.
Ciaran McKenzie went close from a corner before the hosts took the lead in the 23rd minute when Kieran Sommerville cut inside from the left and unleashed a twenty yarder into the top corner of the net giving Daniel Laing in the Dunbar goal no chance.
Two minutes later Jamie Devlin found himself in space with only the Tranent keeper to beat but Kelby Mason stood tall and kept the score line intact.
With the game being played at pace it was end to end stuff and Dunbar went close again in the 32nd minute when a free kick was flicked on by Darren Handling and fell kindly for Michael McFarlane but his shot went inches over the bar.
One minute before the break Tranent increased their lead to two after a great run and cross from Jamie Docherty on the left was headed in at the back post by Wayne McIntosh. Two clinical finishes by the hosts was the difference between the sides with Tranent leading 2-0 at half time.
Kris Renton went close for Tranent after the restart but his shot from the right was turned round for a corner by the Dunbar keeper before the visitors threatened with a well worked corner when Andy Jones volley from the edge of the box was blocked by a Tranent defender.
Both sides rang the changes on the hour mark and some feisty tackles led to several bookings with the referee doing well to keep control.
Both sides pushed forward at every opportunity and Tranent went close in the 78th minute when substitute Martin Maughan struck the top of the Dunbar crossbar with a twenty yard effort.
Two minutes later Tranent scored again when the impressive Jamie Docherty cut inside and smashed the ball high into the net from eighteen yards to ensure that Tranent picked up all three points and maintained their title challenge.
Plenty of effort from the Dunbar side but Tranent looked a bit sharper and more clinical in front of goal and with the games coming thick and fast Dunbar must concentrate on Saturday’s crucial home League game against Blackburn United with kick off again at 2.30pm. Tickets for the game are now on sale via the club’s fanbase app.
Tranent Juniors FC :- Kelby Mason, Craig Stevenson, Kris Renton, Sean Murphy, Jamie Docherty, Euan Greig, Oban Anderson, Ciaran McKenzie, Wayne McIntosh, Calum Donaldson, Kieran Somerville.
Substitutes :- Ben Miller, Rory Currie, Martin Maughan, Craig Moffat, Brad Donaldson.
Dunbar United :- Daniel Laing, Michael McFarlane, Evan Fleming, Grant Thomson, Dean Whitson, Jamie Devlin, Bob Berry, Fraser Neave, Darren Handling, Andy Jones, Ben Bathgate.
Substitutes :- Ryan Mack, Kieran Ingram, Jaciz Balde, Darren Smith
Referee :- Iain Snedden
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
