Report by Stephen Durcan (East Craigie)

LOCHEE HARP v EAST CRAIGIE

East Craigie arrived at Downfield Park looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games but they were up against the only side thus far to restrict the free-scoring visitors to less than two goals in domestic matches this season. This was back in September when Fraser MacLeod scored the only goal of the game against a dogged Harp defence. A sticky pitch in dull conditions was likely to put the buoyant Shipbuilders to the test once again. There was an interesting name on the visiting bench in the shape of Ben Garrick who was drafted in from the under-19 side after several excellent performances.

East Craigie bolted out of the stalls and went ahead with their very first attack. Just 4 minutes in and a free kick wide on the left landed deep in the area, keeper Darren Brown only half cleared and, quick as a flash, RORY FAULKNER nipped through a crowd of players to nod home the opener. Minutes later Adam Brown let loose with a screaming effort but it whizzed up and over the crossbar as Craigie pushed again.

Harp's Jay Smart then swung the ball in and, with his back to goal, Williamson glanced a header into the keeper's arms.

Back came the Shipbuilders with Ross McNaughton floating a corner kick over everybody except George Johnston who smashed a shot into the side netting. A mesmerising mazy run through defence by Faulkner saw him find space and play the ball back to Fraser MacLeod who saw his shot saved. Seconds later McNaughton drove wide from the right edge of the box as the visitors poured forward at will.

Even the defenders tried their luck, Sean Reekie nodding wide from a McNaughton corner on 32 minutes. Finlay Baird then joined the Craigie attacking fray and curled a shot round the far post from 20 yards out.

The local derby tension and competitiveness came to the fore towards the end of the half with a series of tit-for-tat fouls which saw the unyielding referee throw yellow cards around like confetti. Into his book went Lochee's Williamson and Kelly while Craigie's Howett also received a caution.

HALF-TIME: Lochee Harp 0 East Craigie 1

The hosts attacked within minutes of the restart but Harris could only watch disappointingly as his shot looped well over the bar. His opposite number MacLeod managed to keep his effort low but keeper Brown saved with ease. The keeper was then a tad lucky when punching a high ball straight at Craigie's Johnston and catching the rebound. A good attacking move from MacLeod, McNaughton and Johnston resulted in the latter firing straight at Brown in the home goal.

With darkness descending quickly the last 20 minutes could have done with hi-vis vests or GPS navigation. Instead we just had strained eyes and lots of guesswork. There were valid calls for a penalty on 70 minutes as Baird slipped the ball through to Johnston who was upended just as he shot on goal. The keeper still managed to save and the referee waved away all appeals from the Craigie bench.

Harp still had hope of salvaging something but keeper Ian Ross (still resplendent in his yellow jersey, despite the mud) was equal to an effort from Scott. Reekie was then on hand to head away a ball into the box as the hosts finished with a mini flourish. James Malone was dominant at the heart of defence, mopping up anything that came his way.

The final effort of the game, much like the very first, brought another goal and sealed the points for East Craigie and maintained the pressure on league leaders Blairgowrie. FAULKNER, wide on the right, shot low and firm beyond the keeper to the delight of the visiting fans.

FINAL SCORE: Lochee Harp 0 East Craigie 2

LOCHEE HARP: Brown, Irvine, McCabe, Young, Degernier, Smart, McVicar, M. Kelly, Scott, Williamson, Harris. SUBS: Stracey, K. Kelly, Coutts.

EAST CRAIGIE: Ross, Reekie, Paterson, Howett, Malone, Baird, Brown, McNaughton, Faulkner, Johnston, MacLeod. SUBS: Moran, Christie, Garrick, Dunn.