Thistle Take Three Points From Entertaning Encounter

Dalkeith Thistle kept their good run going against a much improved Edinburgh United side in an entertaining encounter this afternoon. Despite the blustery conditions both sides tried to pass the ball around and created chances in a match that was more even than the final scoreline suggested. 

Edinburgh United were the latest visitors to Kings Park to take on Dalkeith Thistle in the McBookie.com East Premier League. 

The visitors endured a torrid start to the season and suffered some heavy league and cup defeats - but in recent weeks there has been a revival and they are now starting to look like a side to be feared in the Division. Dalkeith had some mixed results earlier in the season but are not far away from the promotion places in a very competitive league. However, they have been on a good run in the last few weeks and are starting to string some good results together. Additionally, Thistle retain an interest in the Scottish Junior Cup having thrashed Whitletts Victoria in Ayrshire last Saturday. They are also in the East of Scotland and Fife and Lothians Cups. 

Despite the heavy rain this week the pitch was in decent condition but looked heavy but there was a strong wind making playing conditions tricky. 

Dalkeith were straight into the attack and Waters send a header wide in their opening attack. 

Edinburgh took a while to find their passing game and there was ten minutes on the clock before Hopkinson had a shot from range which didn't test Hay in the home goal. 

After 12 minutes, Thistle took the lead. TANSEY, who scored three in last weeks Cup win, was available at the far post to turn in Michael Hunter's cross cum shot. 

From the restart, Edinburgh nearly equalised. McGrath put in a nice cross and Silla Silla  nearly got on the end of it. 

Thistle were happy to use the long ball tactic and it nearly paid off after twenty one minutes. Mathew Hunter got on the end of a through ball but his effort went wide. Two minutes later the home side doubled their advantage. McNaugton played the ball through to O'REILLY and the experienced striker calmly tucked the chance away. 

Edinburgh got back into the game at 28 minutes. After a good run by Bennett, he played the ball to AURIEMMA, who finished well. They might well have equalised two minutes later. Hopkinson was right through forcing Hay into a fine stop. From the resultant corner, Hay again made another fine stop before the ball was cleared off the line. 

After thirty four minutes, O'Reilly had another good effort saved by the Easton in the visitor's  goal. 

Before the break McNaughton had the ball in the net for Thistle but the referee had blown for offside. Right on the break, Tansey created an opening for Michael Hunter with a fine cutback but he couldn't find a finish. 

It was an open first half and the scoreline probably reflected the balance of play with chances at both ends. 

Half Time  Dalkeith Thistle 2; Edinburgh United 1

Edinburgh came out fired up for the second half. Auriemma put in a good cross forcing an instinctive save from by Hay from Bennett's effort. The ball broke to a United player but his effort was was cleared off the line by Smith. 

Edinburgh made a change bringing on Dignan . The tactic nearly worked when Hopkinson's cross was nearly converted by the sub after fifty five minutes. 

However, this miss was to prove costly as a minute later MATHEW HUNTER got on the end of a through ball and his composed finish restored the home side's two goal advantage. A minute later Hunter should have put the match beyond United. From another long ball the chance was presented to him with the goal at his mercy, but he smashed his effort against the crossbar. 

On the hour Thistle's Waters fired a good effort just over. 

Both sides made changes as players tired on the heavy surface but there were few clear chances made. The game became more fragmented with a number of yellow cards disrupting play. 

With five minutes remaining, Dalkeith wrapped up the points when after a fine passing move substitute RALTON got a clear shooting chance. It looked like the keeper might keep his effort out, but the ball escaped his grasp to give Dalkeith a fourth. 

This was a deserved three points for Thistle although at times Edinburgh might well have got back into the game. The home side played a decent passing game but used the long ball in conditions where it was appropriate. They exploited a weakness in the visitors defence. Thistle are now only five points off the top of the league and look sure to challenge for pretty motion. 

Edinburgh are an attractive side who play good football but found it hard to  cope with the experience of Tansey or O'Reilly in the difficult conditions.  This defeat sees them back in the relegation fight but if they keep playing this style of football they will win more games. 

Best for Thistle were Waters and O'Reilly. United were well served by Auriemma and Bennett with the defence very solid. 

Final Score  Dalkeith Thistle 4; Edinburgh United 1  

Teams
Dalkeith Thistle 

Hay, Lally, Smith, Waters, Kidd, Linton, McNaughton, Michael Hunter, O'Reilly, Mathew Hunter and Tansey Subs Whitson, Pusledski, Robertson, Osborne and Ralton

Edinburgh United

Easton, Fleming, Nicky Robertson, Arron Robertson, Grieve, Auriemma, McGrath, Bennett, Hopkinson, Hendrie, Ebra Silla Silla 

Subs Dignan, Robertson, Elliot, Lee

Referee Mark Rennie 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter