Burgh Extend Winning Run to Six

Musselburgh went into this game after a week which saw them lose three league points without kicking a ball. The unfortunate demise of Ballingry Rovers means that all points won against that team are expunged from the records - so Musselburgh's win earlier in the season counts for nothing. However, they went into this McBookie Eaśt Super League game on the back of five straight wins in Super League or Cup matches. Fauldhouse United are near the foot of the table but have had some decent results including a recent scoreless draw against high flying Kelty Hearts and Scottish Cup 3rd round win in Nairn last week .

The pitch looked heavy but in reasonable condition for the last Saturday in November, and the home team were well supported with a drummer and large group of young supporters urging them on. Fauldhouse brought their usual loud, vocal encouragement!

The game took a while to get going and Fauldhouse were the first to get a shot on goal from Robertson.

The game was punctuated with stoppages and neither team could find any real rhythm. However, Musselburgh began to settle and first Sheerin, then Turner had efforts on goal.  After 9 minutes Turner fired in a great cross from the right and Thomson was the latest Burgh player to have a go at goal. It looked only a matter of time before Musselburgh scored.

However, after 10 minutes and against the run of play, Fauldhouse took the lead. Left fullback Smith put in a teasing cross and when McQuillan out jumped the home defence, his looping header found Adams well out of his goal and it was 1-0 to the visitors.

Musselburgh were stung by this setback and Sheerin, always dangerous, fired in a shot. Fauldhouse were more confident now and from a Smith corner Deans shot just wide.

After 25 minutes a Turner free kick found its way through to Martin, but the tall full back stooped to head the ball, when he might well have shot. A minute later, the Burgh created mayhem in the United defence but neither Turner, Thomson or Steven MacDonald could find a finish. After 27 minutes the hone team were dealt a serious blow when playmaker Kevin McDonald was forced to leave the action to be replaced by Hunter.

Sheerin was still prepared to have a shot and fired over, then wide in the home team's next two attacks.

After 32 minutes it looked like United would go two up. Robertson's cross found Campbell and his header hit the cross bar, it rebounded to Wilkins, but he pulled his shot wide. This was a warning to Musselburgh that Fauldhouse carried a threat.

After 42 minutes, the game changed dramatically when Fauldhouse's Donnelly received a straight red for a two footed tackle. Referee Duncan Williams was right on the spot and clearly adjudged it serious foul play. In the stromach that followed, the referee booked both Fauldhouse's Smith and Hunter from the home team, after consulting with his assistant.

In added time before the break, Campbell broke away after a Musselburgh corner and played in McQuillan. The striker looked sure to score but fired over. It was a great chance to double Fauldhouse's lead and as they were down to 10 men the miss might prove crucial.

Half Time:  Musselburgh Athletic 0; Fauldhouse United 1

There were no changes at the break and it looked like being backs to the wall for the visitors as Musselburgh probed for an equaliser. Sheerin was a real handful and he was at the heart of everything Musselburgh did. Turner was prominent on the right and was putting in some nice crosses. After 54 minutes the equaliser came. Turner fired in a great cross to the far post, Hunter headed the ball back and Sheerin made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Fauldhouse were only seen occasionally as an attacking force, but on the hour Robertson managed to worry the Musselburgh defence out of clearing a through ball and his effort came back off the crossbar- the second time the home goal had been saved by the woodwork!!

Nevertheless Musselburgh were dominating and Thomson, Steven MacDonald and Sheerin all had efforts on goal. After 71 minutes, Hunter fired in a great effort which Murphy did well to tip over. However, from the resultant corner, Sheerin fired in a great header which Murphy somehow kept out, the ball fell to Steven MacDonald and his effort was again brilliantly stopped, but it was third time lucky when Thomson forced the ball home from close range.

Musselburgh were in complete control and 10 man Faulhouse looked a tired side. They defended stoutly but it looked only a matter of time before Musselburgh would add to their tally. They did this in 78 minutes. Hunter got free on the left and when he laid the ball back to Sherrin, the prolific goalscorer curled a superb finish into the far corner -  3-1 to Musselburgh and game over.

There were further chances at both ends but no further scoring.

Deep into injury time, United full back Deans received a straight red for a kick on a Burgh player.

Musselburgh did well to recover from the dual losses of an early goal and the injury to Kevin McDonald. They always looked the likelier winners but Fauldhouse didn't make it easy for them.
Best for the Burgh were Sheerin -  a constant goal threat who plays with his head up and Turner. Substitute Hunter played a part in two goals and to his credit Kevin McDonald was hardly missed.

United were well served by Goalkeeper Murphy, Ross and the tireless Campbell.

Next Saturday,  Fauldhouse host Lochee United in a battle of the bottom two.  Musselburgh, now fourth in the Superleague, are in East of Scotland Cup action at Stoneyburn. 

Full Time  Musselburgh Athletic 3;  Fauldhouse United 1

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter
 

Out of luck.

Olivebank Stadium the home of Musselburgh Athletic was the stage for a return to Superleague duty for the House today and it wasn't long before Mussy tested goalie Andy Murphy with a shot that was parried away and out of dangers way. MacDonald was next to try his luck with a header. It wasn't all one way traffic though as Fauldhouse were creating chances themselves and in fact went in front after a fine cross from defender Rees Smith picked out Andy McQuillan and his header floated over Adams in goal to open his account for the House on the ten minute mark...Musselburgh 0 Fauldhouse 1.  The House were comfortable on the ball at this point mid way through the first half giving their opponents plenty to think about.Deans went close shortly after as United tried to double their lead and could have ten minutes before the break , a Wilkins shot was blocked by the goalie and the rebound was cleared off the line with fans behind the goal claiming it was over. United went down to ten men when Ross Donnelly was harshly sent off after clearly winning the ball and was sent packing. Munro for the home side went close as Mussy pushed for the equaliser. Half time Musselburgh Ath. 0 Fauldhouse Utd 1.

An uphill task for the House for the second forty five with ten men but United were still competing well and McQuillan had a half chance shooting straight at Adams. Two minutes later Mussy levelled when Thomson scored from a knockdown to fire home...1-1. Luck certainly wasn't with United as a Robertson lob came crashing off the underside of the crossbar and cleared away. With Fauldhouse dwelling in the middle of the park Mussy stole it and broke for Sheerin to tuck the ball home, 2-1 Athletic. Ten minutes to go the game was as good as over after two great point blank saves from Murphy resulted in Sheerin eventually poking it home for a final score...Musselburgh Athletic 3 Fauldhouse United 1.

The scoreline was a bit harsh with lady luck deserting Fauldhouse but it's all about clinical finishing at this level.

Fauldhouse United: Murphy, Deans, Smith, Ross, Fallon, Campbell, Robertson, Browne, McQuillan, Donnelly, Wilkins. Subs: Rooney(gk), Ramsay, Scott, Love.

Musselburgh Athletic: Adams, Hamilton, Martin, Myles, Wilson, Turner, K.McDonald, S. MacDonald, Munro,Sheerin,Thomson. Subs: Christie, Hunter, Russell, Davie, Moffat.

                                                                                          "The Parkview"