Carnoustie Panmure 0 Linlithgow Rose 3
Carnoustie went down 3-0 at home to Linlithgow Rose at Laing Park, however, the game was littered with several controversial incidents that had a major effect on the game.
Carnoustie went in to the game on the back of three wins on the bounce, all be it separated by eight weeks and Gowfers boss Alan McSkimming was able to name the same side that won 2-0 at Kilsyth Rangers last weekend.
The first moment of controversy came after 25 minutes, Linlithgow were awarded a free kick on the left and as Robert Urquhart moved the ball back to were the infringement occurred, the Carnoustie man appeared to be struck in the face by a Linlithgow arm, after consulting with his nearside assistant, referee showed both players a yellow card. Linlithgow took the lead on 33 minutes, Paddy Conway was shown a yellow card for a foul 30 yards from goal and the resulting free kick was headed home by Gary Thom, who was given too much space in the area.
Carnoustie started the second half really brightly and would have been level but for two brilliant saves from Darren Hill in the Linlithgow goal, from the second save the visitors broke and Colin Strickland was allowed time to turn and shoot past Alan Cormack and in off the far post. On 63 minutes Paddy Conway appeared to be harshly penalised for a foul 35 yards out and to compound things was shown a second yellow card and was sent off. Despite being down to ten men Carnoustie weren’t over run by the visitors and looked capable of getting back in to the game. However, Linlithgow again broke on the counter and a long ball from the back set Batchelor free, Alan Cormack raced from goal and despite appearing to cleanly knock the ball out for a throw in, was adjudged to have fouled Blair Batchelor and the referee pointed to the spot, Tommy Coyne sent Cormack the wrong way to put an unfair look on the scoreline. Carnoustie were then reduced to 9 men as Ewan Buggins was shown a second yellow for dissent and he joined Conway in the dressing room.
A disappointing afternoon that saw both managers critical of the officials after the game which tells its own story but Carnoustie cant be criticised for their effort against a decent Linlithgow side.
Carnoustie: Cormack, Cook, Mair (McGeehan). Paterson, Buggins, Roberts, Urquhart, Roberts, Dignan (Martin), McCabe, Simpson (Walker)
Subs not used : Steel, Robbie
