23rd March 2024 Musselburgh Athletic 1 Jeanfield Swifts 0

 

We are on Saturday in the international break and I not sure where  to go today as choice either Penicuik v Glenrothes or Musselburgh v  Jeanfield. Given Penicuik have been awful this season I decided to head to Musselburgh. I walked down to Haymarket around 13.00 and caught a 26 bus to Musselburgh. Arrived there about 14.15 and walked the short distance to the ground. Paid my £5 admission bought a £2 programme. After a wander around the ground I met Jim and we took about a stance at the cafe end against the fence.

It looked like being a goood game today with Musselburgh second on the EoS Premier League and Jeanfield third. Broxburn are however twelve points cleated at the top of the league and look Tati be champions at the end of the season. Musselburgh have probably the best three strikers in the league with Nathan Evans, Jordan Smith and recent signing Nicky Reid. Evans was not include in todays starting eleven due to injury while Smith was on the bench replaced by Jonnny Court. I will be honest that I know next to nothing about Jeanfield having only seen them twice before. However they won both these games and are one of the better junior sides who have moved into the senior leagues. 

To be honest this was a disappointing match with the two sides cancelled each other out and few 

Goal scoring chances. Jeanfield probably had the better of the first half but Daniel Laing had only one real save when he leapt to turn a shot from just outside the penalty area over his crossbar. Laing was almost embarrassed minutes later when a poor kick fall to a Jeanfield player near the halfway line. The first time shot went past the post as the keeper looked. Musselburgh took the lead with their first attempt at goal after thirty-seven minutes. A ball in from the left fell at the feet of Court beyond the far post. He turned and sent a low ball across the six yard box where Reid pocked it home beyond Ben Swinton.

The second half was much the same as the first and was played mostly in midfield with attempts in goal. The two goalkeepers has little to do other than collect a few crosses. Court had a chance when he muscled his way into the penalty area. However Swinton got down well to deflect his shot away for a corner.  The most impressive individual on the field was referee Cameron Stirling who looked like he was still at school. He had an excellent game and did not make any obvious errors.he also calmed things down by speaking to the players although he did hand out a few yellow cards towards the end of the match.

On the final whistle I walked down to the High Steet and caught an X113 back to Princes whereI changed on to 1 and was home around 17.15. 

Teams

Musselburgh Athletic: Laing, Donaldson, Stevenson, Black, Wilson, O’Kane, Walsh, Anderson, Court, Barker, Reid.

Subs: O’Connor, Smith, Woods.

Jeanfield Swifts: Swinton, Reid, Whitehead, Sweeney, Brown, Hamilton, Northcott, F,Smith, Robertson, Dodd, S. Smith

Subs: 

,