match270903

Didn't see the game today but Lochore opened the scoring through George Duncan and Steve Patrick equalised fairly quickly. Crossgates then went ahead through Lakie before Hood and Sutherland got the
second and third for Lochore.

Here's the match report from the Lochore web site run by Mike Payne

Free Scoring Lochore travelled to Humbug Park for the second time in three weeks and managed to end a miserable run of three straight defeats with this victory in the opening league encounter. The manager made six changes to the side that lost at Hill of Beath last week. Jamie Clarke made his first start for the club replacing Willie Crowe in goal. Gavin Hood came back in at right back in place of Mark Bishop who picked up a knock during training in midweek. Kris Shankland and Singer Wilson returned to the midfield in place of Dennis Currie, who has been transferred to Kelty Hearts and Ross Kinnell who dropped to the bench. Up front, Colin Hodge got the nod over Colin Burke and there was a starting place at left back for Tony McAulay which allowed Gary Robertson to play further up the park.

While the travelling support was still trying to get their heads round all the changes, The 'Freescorers' took the lead almost straight from the kick off. Tony McAulay took a free kick on the Welfare left touchline. His inch perfect cross was met by George Duncan who put the ball wide of the keeper and into the net to give the Welfare the lead after 30 seconds. Unfortunately, Lochore couldn't keep their concentration and Crossgates equalised after 3 minutes. A shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the crossbar and Steve Patrick was quickest to react, heading the ball past Clarke to make it 1-1.

Both sides settled down after this hectic start and Lochore were the next to go close when George Duncan smashed a 30 yard shot inches wide of the left hand post. Some good work by Robertson on the left put Tinley through with only the keeper to beat but the striker pulled his effort wide of the right hand post after 34 minutes. With four minutes remaining of the half, Crossgates broke down the left. With Gavin Hood caught out of position it was left to Darren Wilson to make the saving tackle. The referee adjudged the tackle to be from behind resulting in a Crossgates free kick and a yellow card for Wilson. From the resulting free kick Crossgates pulled level. Their big centre half, Lakie, rose unchallenged to head the ball past Clarke to make it 2-1 for the home side.

Half Time Crossgates 2 Lochore 1

Pat McAuley decided to ring the changes at the break, giving Crowe back the No 1 jersey and replacing Hodge with Sutherland. Crossgates kicked off the second period with a strong wind at their backs. They had the majority of possession for the first ten minutes. Lochore broke up the right and some good work between Hood and Wilson resulted in Hood swinging in what looked like a cross which somehow ended up in the back of the net. Primrose piled on the pressure and even though they had the advantage of the blustery wind at their backs, they couldn't find a way through the Lochore back four.

The visitors put on Ross Kinnell to replace the tiring McAulay. This began to pay dividends for the Crosshill side as Kinnell, with the fresh legs, began to get in behind the Crossgates defence. Lochore looked more and more likely to snatch a winner and on 84 minutes, Kris Shankland put Gary Sutherland through and from the edge of the box, Lochore's top scorer coolly lobbed the ball over the stranded Crossgates keeper and into the net to give Lochore a perfect start to their 2004-05 league campaign.

Primrose:
Houston, Morris, Hobbs, Millar, Lakie, Laing, Ash, Osborne, Deans, Patrick, Sykes
Subs: Ross, Thomson, Duncan,

Lochore Welfare:
Clarke, Hood, McAulay, C.Duncan, A.Kinnell, Shankland, G.Duncan, Wilson, Tinley, Hodge, Robertson.
Subs: Crowe, R. Kinnell, Sutherland, Burke, McMaster

Ref: M. Gill

Derrick Easton Man of the match: Ryan Houston