Den Spark

Lochee United 3 Forfar West End 0 The Thomson Park side opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Danny MILLAR rose highest to head home a Danny Cavanagh corner kick. On 75 minutes Scott McComiskie found Logan Davie out on the right. The midfielder’s ball to CAVANAGH was lashed into the West End net from the edge of the box. With a minute to go of normal time Bryan Deasley was pulled down inside the box by David Rae and McCOMISKIE drove the penalty kick into the bottom left corner of the net to put a gloss on the final scoreline. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Millar, Kirk, Webster, Cavanagh, Cameron, Davie (Gallagher 75), Lawson, McComiskie, Deasley. Forfar WE: Thain, Weir, Wilson, Webster, Rae, C Walls (Cruickshank 15), Gillespie, McMahon, Njie (A Walls 65}, Hart, McIlravey (Yule 85).

Not only that, but we've let possible back up striker Mikey Cunningham go out on loan to Cumbernauld Colts.

Kirriemuir Thistle 0 Lochee United 2 Two goals from Scott McComiskie earned Lochee three valuable league points in a tough encounter against Kirriemuir Thistle at Westview Park. Three minutes before the break Josh Gorton kept his side level when he pushed a free kick from Kirrie’s Ryan Winter onto the post. That was to prove crucial as the visitors took the lead two minutes later. Logan Davie’s ball into the box was handled by full back Dino Leddie and a penalty awarded. Scott McCOMISKIE stepped up and lashed the ball past Burns to open the scoring Home keeper Burns was then called into action, pulling off a great save from Bryan Deasley. However, the second goal was only delayed by a couple of minutes. Danny Cavanagh took a free kick out on the left and his ball found McCOMISKIE who headed home at the far post. Lochee comfortably managed to see the game out and will be back at Westview Park in three weeks’ time to try to add to their league points total. Kirriemuir Thistle: Burns, Leddie, Smith, Grant, George, Russell, Fairweather (Black 60), Duncan Reid, Dale Reid, Winter, Kadela. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Millar, Kirk (Ballantyne 70), Webster, Cavanagh, Lawson, Tulleth, Davie (McWalter 74), McComiskie, Deasley.

McPake in interview saying the first TWO goals were basic errors. Did he not see the third goal?

They're actually offices.

It's not just Hamilton. McPake went into this season with a back up keeper (Ferrie) who he doesn't trust otherwise he wouldn't have gone out and got Celtic's fifth choice keeper on loan when Hamilton was injured.

Lochee United 3 Downfield 0 Lochee United gained revenge for their defeat at the hands of the Spiders in December with a convincing win at rain-soaked Thomson Park. First half goals from Kevin Milne and Bryan Deasley were added to by Greg Kirk in the second half to give the Bluebells a comfortable victory. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Millar, Kirk, Webster, Davie, Cameron (Buchan 74), Lawson, Tulleth (Cavanagh 60), Milne (McComiskie 56), Deasley. Downfield: Adam, J Colquhoun, Storrier, C Colquhoun (Duffy 46), Sivewright, Gallagher, Hunter, Davidson (McLeod 70), Cameron (Connell 56), Thomson, Farquharson.

Downfield v North End was in the region of 60-70.

Good point, pheasantplucker. I accept it's a lot to read. I'm basically copying and pasting from my website match report for any Lochee/Tayport or East region fans who are interested and weren't at the game. How about this: Dayle Robertson opened the scoring for Tayport on six minutes and the Canniepairt side doubled their lead through Liam McArtney on 44. Greg Kirk pulled one back for Lochee on the stroke of half time. In the second half Lochee took the game by the scruff of the neck and equalised on 61 through Danny Cavanagh and Kevin Milne grabbed the winner on 89.

Tayport 2 Lochee United 3 Lochee United came from two goals behind at the Canniepairt to take all three points in a tough encounter against Fife rivals Tayport. Playing against a strong wind the home side broke upfield to open the scoring on six minutes. A minute earlier Lochee goalkeeper Josh Gorton was forced to dive at the feet of Liam McCartney to deny the striker but he had no chance when McArtney put fellow striker Dayle ROBERTSON through on goal. The Tayport hitman rounded Gorton to send the ball into the visitors’ net. The wind was causing the ball to run away from the Lochee forwards and they struggled to put together any moves to threaten Port keeper Jack Shaw’s goal. Too often Kevin Milne was isolated up front for the Bluebells. In fact, the home side looked the more dangerous on the breakaway and Robertson almost got a second when he just failed to get his head to a Lyall Shaw free kick. From another Shaw cross into the box McArtney headed over. With four minutes to go until half time Grant Lawson was given a chance after a mix-up in the home defence but his shot went narrowly past the post. Lochee had a penalty claim denied when Milne went down in the box and, to add insult to injury, Tayport went up the park to double their lead. A long ball was chased by McARTNEY and, despite protests of offside by the Lochee defence, the striker slotted the ball past Gorton. That was in the 44th minute, but there was still time for Lochee to throw themselves a lifeline. A Dougie Cameron corner kick found the head of skipper Greg KIRK who powered the ball home. With that boost, Lochee began the second half in a better frame of mind and surged forward looking for the equaliser. Scott Webster went down the left and played the ball back to Cameron whose effort went narrowly past the post. With both wing backs finding space down the wings the Bluebells were looking a lot more threatening and Steven McNally set up Logan Davie for a shot that came back off the post. A McNally long throw then caused problems in the home defence and Lawson’s shot was deflected for a corner and it was from that corner kick that the visitors equalised on 61 minutes. Cameron took the kick and one of the smallest men on the park, Danny CAVANAGH, got his head to it to glance it past Shaw. After a spell of Lochee dominance Tayport began to creep into the game and Jamie Gill flashed a shot just wide of Gorton’s left hand post. But Lochee were soon up the other end and sub Bryan Deasley set up Cavanagh who fired over the bar. Cameron’s corner kicks were causing lots of problems for the Port defence and from another one three minutes from time Kirk almost grabbed the winner. Unfortunately for the skipper he just failed to connect. But the winning goal was only delayed another two minutes when Cavanagh found Milne in the home box. MILNE wheeled round and tucked the ball past Shaw to give Lochee all three points. It was a close shave for the Bluebells who were a bit disjointed in the first half but they pulled themselves together to dominate the second period against a tough Tayport side. Tayport: J Shaw, O’Brien, Sturrock (Dale Robertson 46), Ness, Gourlay (Wilson 56), Rollo, L Shaw, Suttie, Dayle Robertson, McArtney, Gill. Lochee United: Gorton, McNally, Millar, Kenneth, Kirk, Webster, Davie (Deasley 77), Cameron, Lawson, Cavanagh, Milne.

Lochee United 4 North End 0 Lochee United gained revenge for their away efeat at the hands of North End back in September with a convincing victory at Thomson Park. It all went wrong for the visitors in the first 15 minutes when they found themselves two goals down and a man short. On 10 minutes the Bluebells won a corner kick when Kevin Milne’s cross was knocked behind by Brian Rice. When the corner came over there was Dougie CAMERON to bullet the ball past Neal Ferrie in the Dokens’ goal. Five minutes later, the home side doubled their lead. Alan Tulleth’s corner kick was met by the head of Danny Millar who saw his effort parried by Ferrie, but full back Liam Gibb was adjudged to have handled the ball on the line to prevent a certain goal. Gibb was shown a straight red card and CAMERON stepped up to thrash the ball high into the net. North End dangerman Gary Sutherland was being well shackled by the Lochee back three of Millar, Greg Kirk and Garry Kenneth, though he was hampered somewhat by an early knock. On 27 minutes the Bluebells made it three. Danny CAVANAGH let fly from the edge of the box and the ball took a deflection to send Ferrie the wrong way. It was all Lochee at this stage and Milne almost made it four with a backheeler that Ferrie clutched on the line. Norht End’s best effort came from a Jamie Montgomery cross that was headed over the bar by Sutherland. Five minutes from half time Lochee’s Tulleth picked up a silly yellow card for moving the ball away at a visitors’ free kick and that was to come back and haunt him minutes later. Racing on to a through ball from Cavanagh he clashed with keeper Ferrie and was shown a second yellow. The second half was a bit of a disappointment with Lochee not looking like adding to their lead and North End not looking like cutting the deficit, although they did have a couple of early free kicks that were easily dealt with by new keeper Josh Gorton. Kirk had a header from a Cameron corner that flashed narrowly over the bar and, at the other end, visiting winger Smith shot over the top. With eight minutes left Lochee wrapped up the scoring. Kirk found substitute Ross McDonald who set up CAVANAGH to drive the ball home from the edge of the box. Gorton did well to mark his home debut with a shutout when he got down well to hold a Sutherland effort and, on 90 minutes sub Kevin Buchan had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside. A comfortable victory then for Lochee but credit to North End for not giving up and making more of a game of it in the second half. Lochee United: Gorton, Millar, Kenneth, Kirk, McNally, Cavanagh (Davie 87), Cameron, Lawson, Webster (McDonald 76), Tulleth, Milne (Buchan 85). North End: Ferrie, Gibb, Rice, Archibald, Lawrie (Roy 75), Allan, Malone (McCabe 61), Montgomery, Sutherland, Smith, Devine.

Doubt very much if Fisher can come in. Boy took a bad one in reserve game v Dunfermline. Was in agony and had to be stretchered off.

Downfield 2 Lochee United 1 Lochee United lost three valuable points in the Superleague championship race, going down to local rivals Downfield. A mix-up in the Spiders’ defence in the opening five minutes was almost punished by Logan Davie, but the midfielder hurried his effort and shot wide. The home side took the lead on 14 minutes when a cross from the left wing went across the face of the Lochee goal and Lee CAMERON, ghosting in at the far post, knocked the ball into the net. New Lochee goalkeeper Josh Gorton had no chance with that one but he did prevent his side going two behind when he pulled off a good save from Ross Storrier’s free kick. Kevin Milne missed a golden opportunity to pull the visitors level when he raced on to a Dougie Cameron pass and was one on one with the keeper, but Downfield’s Grant Adam made a great save at the striker’s feet. Scott McComiskie then had the ball in the home net but was pulled up for offside. Downfield’s youngsters were making it hard for the more experienced Lochee outfit with their quick tackling and eager running and they fully deserved their half time lead against a lacklustre Bluebells side. The home team were quick out of the blocks in the second half with Gorton having to look lively as Kerr Hay tried to catch him out with a shot from the halfway line. Hay was involved as well as the Spiders made it two on 47 minutes. He went down in a challenge from Alan Tulleth and, though the decision was hotly disputed by the Lochee players, a penalty was awarded and stuck away comfortably by Jordan COLQUHOUN. The Thomson Park side tried to respond and both Milne and Tulleth went close. They got back into the game courtesy of Hay who impeded Dougie Cameron on 67 minutes. The referee initially gave a free kick on the edge of the box though the offence was clearly inside, but changed his decision to a penalty kick on the advice of the linesman. Dougie CAMERON stepped up to make it 2-1. With that boost Lochee piled on the pressure and McComiskie went close only to see his goalbound shot blocked by the legs of Adam. In the dying minutes it looked like skipper Greg Kirk was to pull an equaliser out of the bag but Adam was there again to grab the ball on the line. With two minutes to go Downfield sub Dale Davidson managed to pick up his second booking in the space of a few minutes and was ordered off. Despite this, the Spiders managed to hold on for a creditable victory and avenge their defeat at Thomson Park earlier in the season. Downfield: Adam, J Colquhoun, Sivewright, Storrier (Snowdon 41), C Colquhoun, Cameron, Hunter, Thomson, Hay (Duffy 77), Farquharson, McLeod (Davidson 77). Lochee United: Gorton, Webster, McNally, Kirk, Millar, Davie, Cameron, Lawson, Tulleth (Cavanagh 75), McComiskie, Milne (Buchan 75).

Anyone else think McPake was an equaliser away from the sack?

Lochee United 1 Neilston 3 Lochee United crashed out of the Macron Scottish Cup at the hands of Neilston in this replay at Thomson Park. The Bluebells, minus skipper Greg Kirk, would still have been confident of progressing after drawing away from home two weeks ago, but the visitors capitalised on slackness in the home defence to put themselves into the next round. Lochee started brightly with Kevin Milne setting up Kevin Buchan at the back post but the striker just failed to control the ball and the chance went abegging. Ross Gallagher then tried his luck with a 25-yard drive but Neilston keeper James Digney pulled off a diving save. With their first foray upfield the Farmer’s Boys took the lead. Mark Archdeacon found Paul STEWART inside the Lochee box and he beat home keeper John Sinclair with a shot into the far corner. They almost added a second minutes later when a slip by Garry Kenneth let Archdeacon in but Danny Millar was on hand to clear off the line. Stewart then had a great chance to increase the lead when put in by Martin Curren but he shot over from 12 yards. On 25 minutes, though the visitors grabbed their second. Dylan Fletcher worked his way into the box and, though Sinclair parried the first effort and blocked another two attempts, ARCHDEACON was on hand to bundle the ball home. A few minutes before half time Sinclair kept his side in it with a tip over the bar from Ross Mackinnon’s free kick. It was a poor first half from Lochee but they came out all guns blazing in the second half and reduced the deficit after only three minutes, a Grant Lawson corner being bulleted into the net by KENNETH. From another Lawson corner a Danny Millar header was cleared off the line as the home side turned the screw and the visitors were struggling to get out of their own half. Lochee boss George Shields made an early double substitution, bring on Alan Tulleth and Scott McComiskie for Logan Davie and Buchan. McComiskie soon got into the action, setting up Millar for a header which keeper Digney tipped over the bar. With the home side pressing for an equaliser they were shocked when a penalty was given against them on 70 minutes. It looked a harsh award with the ball being blasted against Stephen McNally from close range. Lochee protests came to nothing though and Dylan FLETCHER stepped up to give Sinclair no chance from the spot. The Bluebells almost reduced the lead immediately but McComiskie’s header was cleared off the line by Mackinnon. With seven minutes to go McComiskie went down in the box under pressure from Mackinnon but the referee waved aside penalty appeals and Lochee’s last chance of getting back into the tie went with it. So, Lochee’s Scottish Cup adventure is over for another season and they will surely rue not finishing the tie in the first leg when they dominated for so long. Lochee United: Sinclair, Webster (Cavanagh 85) McNally, D Millar, Kenneth, Ritchie, Davie (McComiskie 52), Gallagher, Lawson, Buchan (Tulleth 52), Milne. Neilston: Digney, Halliday, MacKinnon, Convery, Doyle, Docherty, Stirling, Fletcher (Haddow 84), Archdeacon, Stewart, Curren (Paterson 84).

Gayfield holds 6600. It won't even be half full. Cash gate a certainty.

Who decides whether or not there are linos? Is it the SJFA or is it down to the home club if it can afford them?

I seen jake hyde on tv the other day playing for Woking Is he sponsored by Pizza Express?

Believe Cedwyn is playing for Dunston in the Northern Premier League.

The Clep Bar on Clepington Road would be the friendliest. Otherwise, Frew's on Dens Road.

Neilston Juniors 1 Lochee United 1 It was a damp, dreich day that ended in disappointment for Lochee United as a game they looked to be in control of slipped away, resulting in a replay being required next Saturday at Thomson Park. The visitors, despite playing up the slope and into the wind, dominated the first half and could have been more than a single goal up at half time. That domination continued into the second half but Neilston, The Farmer’s Boys, gradually fought their way back into the tie and equalised with less than 10 minutes left. Lochee created the first chance of the game after five minutes when Bryan Deasley fired a shot across the face of the home goal. Ten minutes later the same player worked his way into the Neilston box and shot narrowly over the bar. The opening goal was only delayed by a further four minutes however. Kevin Milne found Ross GALLAGHER on the edge of the box and he sent a low drive past James Digney in the Neilston goal. The home side tried to respond immediately and Ross McDonald had to make a timely interception to hook away Martin Curren’s dangerous cross into the Lochee box. The Bluebells continued to press and Milne was unlucky to see his effort cleared by Digney’s legs. At the other end Lochee keeper John Sinclair’s punch out was picked up by Curren who just failed to find the target. As the half drew to a close Grant Lawson had two chances to add to the lead but neither troubled Digney in the home goal. With the wind and slope in their favour after the break Lochee were soon on the attack and it took a brilliant fingertip save from Digney to deny Stephen McNally’s free kick. The pressure was all on the home side now but they weathered it and began to creep into the game. Sinclair failed to hold an inswinging corner kick and Greg Kirk’s attempted clearance only landed at the feet of Daryl Convery who somehow put his shot wide. A double substitution just after the hour mark by Neilston changed the flow of the game and the home side began to show signs of belief in themselves. Curren and Stephen Stirling both had efforts that were just off target, but nine minutes from the end Neilston equalised. A corner was punched clear by Sinclair, but the ball found its way to CURREN who drove the ball into the net. Lochee threw on Scott McComiskie for Dougie Cameron in an attempt to win the tie but it was the home side who had their tails up now and looked the more likely to win it. Home substitute Cammy Haddow went on a mazy run through the Lochee midfield but overran the ball. There was one last chance for Lochee when a long ball found Deasley bearing down on the Neilston goal but Digney was quickly off his line to smother the danger. A draw was about right in the end and, though the Bluebells might fancy their chances at home, they know that an unbeaten in 12 Neilston will prove a tough obstacle. Neilston: Digney, Halliday, MacKinnon, Doyle, Clark, Hay (Diack 51), Convery, Stirling, Fletcher, Archdeacon (Haddow 62), Curren. Lochee United: Sinclair, McNally, Kirk, D Millar, McDonald, Ritchie, Cameron (McComiskie 82), Gallagher, Lawson, Milne, Deasley.

Forfar West End 0 Lochee United 2 Forfar West End and Lochee United usually serve up close encounters and this one was no exception, though the visitors had the upper hand in terms of possession and chances on goal. It was a miserable afternoon at Strathmore Park weather-wise and neither side was able to create much in front of goal in the first half. The first opportunity went to Lochee when Bryan Deasley pinged a great pass with the outside of his boot to Alan Tulleth whose shot warmed the hands of keeper Gary Thain. Forfar replied with an Andy Walls shot easily gathered by Jordan Millar. Tulleth was proving the Bluebells most promising outlet and he fired in a dangerous cross across the face of the home goal. The winger then had a free kick deflected round the post for a corner. However, it was West End who came closest to opening the scoring when Callum Petrie’s shot came crashing back off Millar’s bar. Grant Lawson then had a header palmed away by the home keeper as the half fizzled out. Lochee attacked down the slope in the second half and got their noses in front on 52 minutes. A corner on the left was cleared only as far as Greg KIRK on the edge of the box and the Lochee skipper fired home. Tulleth’s strong running down either wing was causing problems for the Forfar defence and he set up Deasley and Reece Ritchie with chances to increase Lochee’s lead. Another great cross from Tulleth almost found the head of Deasley just a few yards out, but the striker just couldn’t reach the ball. The home side came into the game for a spell and gave Millar in goal a few moments of concern, none more so than when Davie Rae crashed a shot off his left hand post with just six minutes left. That served as a warning to Lochee that they needed a second goal to put the game to bed and they got it just minutes later. A Lawson cross found the head of Kevin BUCHAN, who had only just come on as a sub, and he netted past a helpless Thain. Another sub, Logan Davie, almost made it three when he was picked out by Kevin Milne, but his shot was blocked by the home defence. Although Lochee spent most of the game in the opposition half, there were times when West End put their defence under pressure, but Garry Kenneth and his back four restricted the home side to scraps. Forfar WE: Thain, Weir, Cruickshank, Rae, George, Timmons, Walls (McMahon 68), Godfrey, Petrie (Batchelor 63), McIlravey (Fullerton 46), Wilson. Lochee Utd: Millar, McNally, Kirk, Kenneth, Blair, Tulleth (Cavanagh 78), Gallacher, Lawson, Ritchie (Davie 71), Milne, Deasley (Buchan 85).

But you never so shut yer fuckin pie hole What a nice chap you are.

I'm not a fan of McPake's tactics or team selections, but, if, and I know it's a big IF: we had won the two derbies we'd be three points clear at the top. IF we'd even drawn the two derbies we'd be only three points behind the Filth. That shows that we're doing reasonably well against the rest of the league. The football, however, is turgid.

Having three decent strikers and only playing one of them grates with me. Imagine if Bob Shankly had played Alan Gizean and left Andy Penman and Alan Cousin on the bench. Imagine if Davie White had played Gordon Wallace and left Jocky Scott and John Duncan on the bench. Imagine if Jocky had played Tommy Coyne and left Keith Wright and Graham Harvey on the bench. I don't care how he does it but McPake has to find a formation that accommodates two strikers.