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Musselburgh made two changes from the team that beat Vale Of Clyde last week. Winning goal scorer Johnny Bain coming in for Mark Quinn and Ross Barnes in for CJ.

The front two started well good interchanging from Barnes and King but the Forfar keeper stood up to King’s shot. The home keeper also had to look sharp as McConachee hit a good shot but Ronnie McPherson saved well to tip round the post. From the resulting corner Forfar went in front. Roughtledge smashing home the corner but Paul Tansey, on the line came off worse and had to be carried off to hospital. First look seemed like cartilage damage and we wish him a speedy recovery. Mark Quinn came on for Tansey and went to left back with Bain pushing forward and he looked dangerous but didn’t have much support. In fact Forfar nearly doubled their score when a great run from Lawson ended with Roberts curling a shot just over. Chris King was then booked for a poor tackle on Pirie. Another shot from Forfar man of the match Bonella ended with the big number 16 shooting just wide. King hit over for Musselburgh and Barnes and Paul Currie had good efforts blocked by Brown. Musselburgh were forced into a second substitution with Darel Johnston the second player to be carried off, Jamie Hawkins came in at right back and only after treatment Craig McManus just managed to survive a poor challenge. A good passing move on 40 minutes involving Forfar's Henderson and finished with Bonella’s shot again well saved by McPherson in goal. Musselburgh had a good move ending with Bain crossing but went straight across the six yard box with no takers. Musselburgh ran out of ideas towards the end of the half and reverted to long balls which were mopped up easily. A save from Ronnie McPherson on half time from Bonella ensured that no more damage was done and the teams went in with Forfar leading 1 – 0.

The second half started but the visitors didn’t. Musselburgh changing the left with Quinn and Bain swapping positions and it nearly came off as Quinn with the long ball and King with the shot was well saved by Vanderyl in goal. The equalizer came soon after, Forfar failing to clear and Barnes scooping the ball in the air, the keeper who looked suspect from crosses last week missed the ball which fell to Chris King who slammed the ball into the net. Forfar still couldn’t get started and Musselburgh took the lead. Another cross and Chris King’s shot was blocked but the ball came to Paul Currie who doesn’t miss from 10 yards out. With Musselburgh flying and Forfar stunned Musselburgh gifted the visitors a route back into the game. King stamping on Lawson and could have been a straight red. the referee was then swore at and produced a second yellow card – his ninth this season. Yellows followed for Mitchell and Murphy. The concentration slipped and Forfar took advantage, a long ball flicked on to McConachee who despite looking offside played on and brought the visitors level. It was nearly action replay moments later again Musselburgh stopping and only a tackle on the edge of the box from goalkeeper McPherson and a lucky run on the ball to go out for a corner stopped a certain goal. Another second yellow card after winning a free kick saw Martin Murphy sent off and meant the home team had to play 20 minutes with 9 men. Barnes came off and Brian Murray came on with Paul Currie going up front. He held the ball up well and Quinn and Bain tried to support.  A through ball from Murray found Quinn who struck the ball home but was judged to have fouled Lawson and the goal was softly disallowed. Musselburgh still pushed for the win as Forfar ran out of steam. Shots from Murray, Bain, Quinn and Currie going close but McPherson again saved very well to prevent Forfar taking all 3 points home. The match finished all square and some ugly scenes as both teams looked frustrated at 2 dropped points.

 

In review, Forfar will be happy with a point but they didn’t beat a team with 9 men and two injured early on so they will see it as 2 dropped. Musselburgh end with more negatives with the loss of Tansey and Johnston to add to the injury list and as said in previous match reports there is only 1 referee he calls the game as he sees it. Shout and swear at him like at Arniston and he will favor the other team. He will see the small deflections for throw ins and give 50/50’s the other way, not to mention a suspect offside goal. 39 bookings and 7 red cards only help the other team.

A positive though for Musselburgh will be the performance when down to 9 men. Players like Craig McManus, Paul Currie, Johnny Bain and Mark Quinn who ran themselves into the ground with Ronnie McPherson making crucial saves which could make the difference come the end of the season. Forfar should see off Armadale next week and it’s a 1pm kick off at Olivebank for Musselburgh against another good team Kinnoull.  

Musselburgh: McPherson, Johnston, Bain, Mitchell, McManus, Murphy, Kelly, Currie, King, Barnes, Tansey, Quinn, Hawkins, Murray

Forfar West End: Vandardyl, Logan, Henderson, Brown, Routledge, Lawson, Pirie, McKenzie, McConachee, Roberts, Bonella, Brand, Muckersie, Gibb, Syne, McVicor   

 

Mitchell,King,Murphy King, Murphy

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