Oakley United 2 - 1 Whitburn

Celentano (14), J Murphy (34), Lammie (87)

Surprise Result sees
“Bottom beat Top”

Whitburn left Blairwood Park shaking their heads at how they let three valuable Championship points slip away when with nearest rivals Lochee United and Camelon both on Scottish Cup duty they had had an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Super League East.

Whitburn, who had only lost once prior to the match, must’ve felt confident going into the game versus Oakley, who in direct contrast had only won once in their previous eleven league ties. But they say “Football is a funny old game” and despite the fact that Whitburn squandered several chances, Oakley took the opportunities that fell their way and fully deserved their victory especially in light of the performance that their back four put up.

Oakley had several “Men of the Match” but special praise goes to William Carberry, Peter Fyfe and goalkeeper Colin Campbell, who marshaled by veterans John Allison and Willie Newbigging had an inspired game.

Within the first ten minutes Campbell twice came to the O’s rescue, firstly on two minutes he finger tipped a Ramage header over the bar and then denied Lurinski with his feet when the striker was put through one on one after nine.

But despite all this early pressure it was the home team that took the lead. A good move and cross up Oakley’s left hand side involving John Rushford and Gary Wright saw Walker in the Whitburn goal and central defender Leiper get into a muddle to present Lee CELENTANO with the simplest of tap-ins to open the scoring.

Within three minutes it should’ve been all over! With Whitburn squandered two absolute “Sitters”, both unfortunately by the same player, winger Flanagan. Firstly he headed past when it was easier to score and secondly he slid in at the far post unmarked but just couldn’t collect the ball thanks mainly to the deftest of touches by the diving Campbell.

Full back Ramage finally got the ball into the Oakley net on 29 minutes but he was well offside and so it remained 1-0.

Whitburn finally leveled it up on 34 minutes, when they were awarded a corner despite the linesman flagging for a Whitburn player who was clearly offside, but the referee ignored his assistant and corner stood.

Typically to add insult to injury, it resulted in a goal with J Murphy scoring at the far post when the home defence could only half clear. Whitburn could’ve and should’ve gone in at half time leading but once again they chucked away the opportunity when Lurinski headed wide from close in.

Half time 1 – 1

Don’t know what was said at half time, but Oakley harried, closed down and chased every lost cause in the second half and creating a number of good chances. With John Rushford coming close when he beat two defenders before his shot was saved by Walker.

Whitburn keeper Walker turned from Zero to Hero to make up for his earlier “gaff” when he made an excellent full length save, from a curling Brendan Cusick effort that fully deserved a goal near the end.

But just when it looked like the Referee’s assist had earned Whitburn a draw, and with the nervous home support expecting a late sucker punch, it was midfield dynamo Scott LAMMIE that came up trumps for the O’s with a thundering strike through a ruck of players on 87 minutes to secure the win after Walker had once again denied the impressive Cusick.

This win lifts Oakley off the bottom of the Super League, but there is still a lot to do to avoid the dreaded drop.