Recap

East of Scotland Premier League – Saturday 13th August 2022

Blackburn United 1 Richards 29
Dundonald Bluebell 3 Lumsden 32 & 72, McKenzie 56

Despite the hot temperatures of over 25c at kick-off, the game kicked-off at a frantic pace and after only a couple of minutes Laurie Devine saw a short turned round the post by Ben Swinton in the Bluebell goal. Moments later from a free-kick, Barry Sibanda just failed to connect with the goal gaping.

With ten minutes gone a long cross to the back post was headed back across goal by Lewis McKenzie but Regan Lumsden’s header was straight at Saunders.

Three minutes later Burnie almost took the lead when good work by Devine and Luke Meikle saw Dominic Kane played in on the right side of the box and his cross was met by Scott Richards who headed downwards and beyond Swinton but bounced up and off the bar. Saunders at the other end clawed away a header which had looked goal bound, then Richards again had an attempt which went wide. That was all in the first 16 minutes.

The opening goal came just on the half house mark when from a throw-in the ball was shifted to Scott Richards on the edge of the box and his low shot found the corner of the net. The lead only lasted three minutes however when Regan Lumsden’s cross/shot from 20 yards appeared to catch Richie Hutton’s boot and fly right into the far corner of Saunders net.

The second half started a little quieter and the first real chance resulted in the visitors taking the lead when a cross into the box created a whole load of confusion via deflections and the ball hitting a post and eventually the referee signalled the ball had crossed the line, despite him and his linesman having a less than clear view. The goal being credited to Lewis McKenzie.

Daryl Meikle had a chance at the other end but shot into Swinton’s arms and it was the visitors who increased their lead with 20 minutes left when Lumsden fastened onto a loose bouncing ball inside the area to make it 3-1.

There should have been a chance five minutes later to reduce the leeway when Laurie Devine went on a run and evaded a couple of challenges before he looked to have been fouled inside the box, but to the surprise of everyone the referee Mr.Gill waved play on. Calum Heath then had an effort fly over and the game petered out.

Blackburn United: Craig Saunders, Richard Hutton, Kyle McClung, David Wilson, Marcus Millar, Dominic Kane, Calum Heath, Daryl Meikle (Keiran Sweeney 89), Laurie Devine, Scott Richards (Joe Osborne 70), Luke Meikle (Sam Thomas 70). Unused Subs: David Howe, Trialist, Gavin King.

Dundonald Bluebell: Ben Swinton, Scott Durie, Aiden Hendry, Gary Cennerazzo, Colin Wilson (Kieran Ritchie 87), Billy Rogerson, Barry Sibanda, Lewis McKenzie (Kieran Dall 80), Daryle Healy (Lewis Black 90), Regan Lumsden, Calum Smith (Adam Mansouri 46). Unused subs: Stuart Walton, Lachlan Murphy, Craig Richardson.

Referee: Stephen Gill Assistants: Steve Ross, Andrew Connelly.