East of Scotland Premier League – Tuesday 25th April 2023

Oakley United 0

Blackburn United 3 Sampson 19, Richards 34, Baillie 86

Blackburn were in the ascendancy from the kick-off and it was Laurie Devine with the first chance as he got on the end of a Kyle Sampson pass but slid the shot wide. However the opener came on 19 minutes when a Daryle Meikle free kick found David Wilson at the back of the six yard box, his header back across the goalmouth was stroked in by Sampson from close range.

It was almost two shortly afterwards when Josh Irvine got as hand to a Devine shot to push it away, and it was Irvine again on the half hour mark to deny Meikle. However a deserved second game moments later when Hutton let loose from 30 yards and was tipped over by Irvine, Hutton took the corner and it was Scott Richards who rose to head past Irvine.

In their first real attached of the game, Jason Watson supplied Jack Cowan and his angled shot was blocked away by Jack Main. Just before half time it could have been three when Daryl Meikle danced past several challenges and passed the ball past Irvine only to see it rebound off the post.

The second half was a much lower key affair, with Blackburn happy to sit on the lead and Oakley struggling to create any chances. A Jerry Otonti cross rebounded off the top of Irvine’s bar on 68 minutes, and before the end Craig Baillie sealed the points when he won possession wide right, played it inside to Otonti who returned the favour and Baillie curled a shot past Irvine.

Oakley United: Josh Irvine, Andrew Penman (Cameron Evans 73), Liam Duffy, Finlay Goodlad, Steven Dolan, Alfie Penman, Ryan Yapoudjian (Scott Bruce 73), Reece Bernard (Sandy Mackinnon 48), Brian McAdam, Jason Watson, Jack Cowan (Rhys Bedborough 39). Unused subs: Daniel White, Keir Young, Aidan Gallacher.

Blackburn United: Jack Main, Richard Hutton, Kyle McClung, David Wilson (John Binnie 88), Marcus Millar, Dominic Kane, Jerry Otonti, Daryl Meikle (David Howe 88), Kyle Sampson (Craig Baillie 73), Scott Richards (Chris Kelly 88), Laurie Devine (Luke Meikle 79). Unused subs: Craig Saunders.

Referee: Terry Ormiston Assistants: Cameron Sanderson, Craig Stevens