McBookie.com SJFA East Premier League
Glenesk Park, Dundee

The Jags got the new campaign off to a great start yesterday with a hard fought victory in the City of Discovery.

The first half was a pretty scrappy affair, with both sides guilty of some sloppy passing. Both teams had a few half chances, but nothing
of any great note.

On the 50 minute mark some life was injected into the games as Bathgate went ahead through Andy Malone. A break down the middle led to a scramble in the box before Malone fired a loose ball into the next from 8 yards.

Ten minutes later the Jags’ lead was doubled. A run from David Swan into the box saw him being clipped by a defender, with the ref

pointing to the penalty spot. Alex Lurinsky stepped up to take the resulting penalty scored in off the keeper’s left hand post.

On 70 minutes the was all but confirmed as Bathgate added a third, courtesy of a 25 yard free kick which was hammered low into the left of net from Swan.

With just under ten minutes left, Violet’s no. 4 was sent off for a second bookable offence. The Tayside outfit had one last break which
saw Bathgate defender Liam Robinson having to clear off the line.

A better second half performance had seen Bathgate earn a well deserved opening day win.

Coach Barrie Malcolm said, “Overall it was a good, disciplined, team performance and a great three points at a hard away venue. It was a cagey first forty five minutes but in the second half the players stepped up a gear and started to believe in themselves. So overall it’s a happy bus on the way home.”

Thanks to Martin Grier and his Blogger Photography Website. Link to blog can be found here