Archived Match Reports

18th March 2006 - 20th May 2006

Whitburn given Footballing lesson

On paper this was going to be Oakley’s toughest test of the season, struggling with injuries versus a Whitburn team, that in their first season in the super league had until recently been contenders for the title.

With a place in the Semi-final at stake Willie Newbigging put as strong a team possible but took a chance with a number of players that were carrying injuries, namely Ewing (Groin), Buist (Shin) and Rushford (Knee).
Whitburn looked the team we believed them to be for the first fifteen minutes but despite their control and passing through the midfield they created no chances of note, however on the break Oakley had a number of half chances via both Baird and Smart.

Ross Morrison then produced a piece of footballing quality that led to Oakley’s opener. Taking the ball under pressure half way inside his own half he shrugged off two challenges before lifting the ball over the defence to Jacko Baird who flicked the ball goal wards with head only to be taken down by the keeper for a penalty. Unlike Lehman of Arsenal however he remained on the field of play without even a yellow card being shown. Up stepped Player-Manager Willie NEWBIGGING to blast the ball into the bottom left hand corner out of the reach of the “fortunate” Whitburn number one.

Minutes later Jacko was again taken down in the box but the referee waved away claims and the opportunity to go two up.

But two up they went only 7 minutes later, another superb passing move the length of the field involving Buist Ross Morrison and Ewing was finished off by Jacko BAIRD who slipped his marker for his 28th goal of the season.
Oakley were forced into an early substitution on 29 minutes when the experienced Scott Johnston replaced the injured Scot Buist who had aggravated the knock he had received versus Thornton.

Ryan Ewing almost made it three on 33mins when he tried to lob the Whitburn keeper and Jacko Baird on 37 after again fine play by Ross Morrison. With half time fast approaching Whitburn started to put the Oakley back four under a bit of pressure that finally resulted in pulling a goal back on 41 minutes when a header was forced over the line in a packed area.

Half-Time; Whitburn 1 - 2 Oakley United

It took Oakley only 4 minutes of the second half to restore their two goal advantage when their now “Infamous” free kick, finally produced the goods. A short Willie Newbigging pass to the fast running Russell Smart, who quickly crossed to the far post for the incoming Ross Morrison to stab the ball into an empty net.

Whitburn’s task became even harder on 55mins when they had their centre half Red carded for a two footed stamp on the back of the fallen Jacko Baird.
With Jacko Baird off the field receiving treatment for that disgraceful attack, Oakley took full advantage of the reorganizing in the home defence when Willie NEWBIGGING grabbed his second of the night blasting the free kick into the back of the net.

With the game effectively won , Oakley could have sat back but didn’t, they created numerous chances to score more, with the impressive Jacko Baird firing into the side netting after a brilliant solo run that deserved better. Scott Lammie almost rounded the night off in style when his effort went just over after another great move that involved both Russell Smart and Man of the Match Ross Morrison.

Final Score; Whitburn 1 - 4 Oakley United

Nerves of Steel

Following Oakley’s recent slump and Steelend’s excellent form, especially their 1-0 victory versus Kelty Hearts, this was a game Oakley had to win in order to keep their title hopes alive.

Recent Injuries meant that despite having a full bench on show only two players could actually play. But within fifteen minutes Oakley were in cruise mode and easing towards the three points.

Ryan EWING & Roger DUFFIN started the goalscoring on 8 & 13 minutes respectively, Ewing lobbing the advancing keeper for his 24th of the season and Duffin heading home at the far post after fine work by Ross Morrison.
Two minutes later it was three, both teams contested a bounce ball on the half way line that was won by Scott Lammie and before Steelend could recover Jacko BAIRD had slipped it into the back of the net.

The remainder of the half was all Oakley with both Baird & Ewing missing great chances to get their hat-tricks, especially Ewing who headed against the bar when scoring would’ve been easier and then the rebound over.
Duffin hit the outside of the post and a Rushford header also came close before Lee Morrison hit a “Goal of the season contender” when he lashed a 30 yard volley into the postage stamp corner.

Half time; Steelend Vics 0 - 4 Oakley United

The second half was a bit of an anti-climax, with the game already won Oakley went onto cruise control ..Ross Morrison had a chip cleared off the line and Baird missed his easiest chance of the year prodding home a Smart cross when only a yard out.

There was concern on 60 minutes when Oakley keeper Greg Maitland had to be withdrawn with a groin complaint, to add to the injury list.

Final say of the day was Russell SMART’s who after having a drive well saved by the Steelend number one finally got his reward for all his running when he ran onto a Lee Morrison pass and rolled the ball into the Steelend net for Oakley’s fifth of the evening.

Full Time; Steelend Victoria 0 - 5 Oakley United

Conspiracy theorists are always coming up with weird and wonderful slants on world events …the latest to hit the headlines is the Oakley Conspiracy!

The Theory is that Everybody must stop Oakley winning promotion to the Super League. By Everybody we mean the Referees !!

Obviously there is no truth to this theory …or is there!

Versus Crossgates the Referee said that the ball had crossed the line when it was safely in the outstretched hands of the Oakley keeper. Versus Kirkcaldy, A Kirkcaldy goal was allowed to stand despite the attacking player being at least two yards offside. Versus Lochore, Oakley had no fewer than FOUR goals NOT given, ALL for offside !!

The latest evidence to support the theory came on Saturday afternoon against Thornton. After only three minutes of the kick off Oakley Midfielder David Murray was taken completely out of the game with a horrendously late tackle that should’ve resulted in a straight RED card but a weak referee brandished ONLY a yellow.

Both teams were down to the bare bones, with neither side capable of fielding a fully fit eleven. Despite David Murray being replaced Oakley had numerous chances the best of which was when Scot Buist “leapt like a salmon” ( Mori wanted that bit put in ) only to see his effort cleared off the line. The first 30 minutes was virtually all Oakley, but the ball just wouldn’t hit the back of the net. Another bad Thornton tackle, this time on Buist went unpunished on 28 minutes cumulating in Scot being unable to stop the Thornton winger getting past him and getting the ball into the box for Thornton to go one up.

Disaster for Oakley, Not only because they were a goal down but because two influential players had been cynically taken out of the game and both substitutes had had to be used after a mere 30 minutes.

Half Time: Thornton Hibs 1 - 0 Oakley United

Oakley upped the tempo in the second half and had numerous chances via Baird and Smart as well as a Ewing header that came back off the bar . A lucky deflection denied sub Stuart Malcolm an opportunity of restoring parity, as did Ryan Ewing who hit his effort into the side netting and a fine Scott Lammie clip also came close but again to no avail.

Willie NEWBIGGING however was more successful, blasting home a penalty on 63 minutes after Lee Morrison had been upended in the box. Oakley were now in full flow and quickly made it two – One only a minute later, a Russell Smart shot was parried by the keeper straight to Jacko BAIRD who made no mistake.

Oakley could of and should of made it three and finished the game off when Ryan Ewing had another shot cleared off the line and a speculative Lammie curler just went past the upright, but it just wouldn’t come.

There was a sting in the tail however for all those missed opportunities, a dubious free kick was given to Thornton just outside the Oakley box on 86 minutes with the subsequent cross being headed into the back of the net past a helpless Smith nowhere.

There was no time for the O’s to get back into the match and unlike St Andrews the week before no last minute penalty to rescue the three points.

A mixture of poor defending, a lack of bodies and above all weak refereeing cost Oakley all three points on this occasion, however that withstanding the main concerns for Willie Newbigging must be Oakley’s mounting Injury list for the remaining fixtures, and the fact that we might get that Referee again.

Final Score: Thornton Hibs 2 – 2 Oakley United

Another three points safely tucked away as Oakley maintained their 100% record of NEVER having conceded a league goal at Blairwood park. That makes it an impressive nine wins from nine games, scoring 33 goals in the process. Needing only 12 points from their last six games to take the title Oakley are now in the driving seat and in command of their own fortunes.

The first half was as competitive a match that Oakley have had at home this season marred only by some “Drogba-esk” diving by Adam Moffat that resulted in Lammie & Rushford both getting yellow carded. some excellent play from Kelty resulted in numerous opportunities for the visitors but a mixture of good defending and poor finishing meant that Greig Maitland never looked like surrendering his Clean sheet record.

There was only the one goal in the match and it came as early as the ninth minute when Scot Buist played a lovely weighted ball over the Kelty defence for Jacko BAIRD to outrun his marker and slip it past the oncoming keeper. That makes it an impressive 23 for Jacko in this his first season in Junior football.

Both teams had half chances but nothing of note until that man Baird again almost made it two. Receiving the ball 25 yards out with his back to goal he turned his man , dribbled past three players and got his shot away only to see the keeper dive low to his left to push it clear.

Half Time: Oakley United 1 – 0 Kelty Hearts

Oakley had the best of the early scrimmages, but Kelty controlled the first 15 minutes of the second half. Despite their possession however the Oakley back four held firm, well marshalled by Willie Newbigging, and utilizing both Buist and Morrison as an outlet the tide slowly turned.

On 60 minutes a typical Russell Smart mazy run had the Kelty defenders turning and twisting all over the place but a last ditch tackle deflected off Smarty for a goal kick, and from that point on Oakley looked the better team. It was surely Jacko Baird’s best game in an Oakley shirt and was him again who came closest to scoring, Ross Morrison broke from the back and played the ball in behind the Kelty defence for Jacko, who didn’t even take time to control the ball, he simply took it early beating both the keeper and the bar with his lob.

Roger Duffin then headed just over and the Kelty keeper turned away for a corner a Scott Lammie effort as Oakley started to turn the screw. Towards the end Chris Francis and Scott Johnston replaced the tireless John Rushford and Ross Morrison to shore things up and with great effect as Oakley comfortably held on to win and to effectively end Kelty’s Super League ambitions.

Final Score: Oakley United 1 - 0 Kelty Hearts

The two teams on show could hardly muster eleven fit men between them, let alone eleven each, but despite that it was a very enjoyable game in what has to be the warmest day of the year.

After bruising tussles against Rosyth, Crossgates and Kirkcaldy the Oakley starting line up had a variety of injuries that would not have been out of place in an episode of Holby City.

Lammie, Ewing, Maitland and Newbigging all played despite their assorted injuries, however midfielder John Rushford was forced to sit it out on the bench for another week. Long term Injuries made Lister, Allison and Bannatyne still unavailable for selection.

After the disappointment of the last two results, Oakley needed a win and started this encounter at a tremendous tempo, having the ball in the Lochore net within a minute of kick off. Craig Morrison created a chance for himself on the edge of the box that the Lochore keeper failed to hold, resulting in Russell Smart simply knocking the ball over the line only to be deemed offside.

Oakley had a number of opportunities to take the lead with Ross Morrison, Scot Buist and Craig Morrison all coming close before Russell SMART finally got his just reward, with his 15th of the season. Driving the ball through a ruck of defenders after some excellent play from Ryan Ewing .

The Oakley lead didn’t last long, two minutes to be exact when Ward curled a free kick beyond the wall and a stranded Greig Maitland. Three minutes later it was Two-One to the O’s. Oakley won a corner after some panicky defending by the Lochore rear guard, which resulted in Roger DUFFIN finally poking home from close range.

Determined not to lose that lead and to complete an exciting eight minutes, Willie NEWBIGGING unleashed a rasping 25 yard free kick high into the roof of the Lochore net with the Lochore keeper grasping at imaginary butterflies to make it three-One after only 24 minutes.

To add to the Oakley casualty list, Craig Morrison had to be substituted on 28 minutes after a hefty challenge on the edge of the box that had denied him another goal scoring opportunity. Young Jacko Baird came on in his place and had the ball in the net within minutes of coming on, only to see his effort also chalked off, this time apparently the ball had gone out of play.

Half Time: Lochore Welfare 1 – 3 Oakley United

It wasn’t long before Oakley had the ball in the net again, and again it was chalked off for offside despite Ryan Ewing being played at least 3 yards on. Oakley were now in total control, with no efforts on Maitland’s goal of note in the whole 45 minutes. Ross Morrison was orchestrating everything in midfield, creating chances for Ewing and Smart as well as himself but all without adding to Oakley’s lead.

Smart and Newbigging were replaced on 75 minutes by Scott Johnston and Stuart Malcolm with the forthcoming Kelty game in mind.

With time running out, Stuart Malcolm had an effort cleared off the line and with two other close calls from Jacko Baird and Ross Morrison Oakley ran out winners 3-1 on a night it so easily could’ve been ten!

Final Score: Lochore 1 – 3 Oakley United

Following Oakley’s shock defeat on Saturday to Crossgates, Kirkcaldy proved that Lightning can strike in the same place twice. A mixture of an increasing injury list, poor defending and dubious refereeing were to blame for another three points slipping away. The first twenty minutes was an end to end affair with Craig Morrison, Jacko Baird, Scott Lammie, and Roger Duffin all having efforts on goal but all to no avail.

Oakley as usual played to their strengths despite key players not being available, in trying to get the ball down and play passing football versus the “Big Hump & Run” tactics that Kirkcaldy were employing. Most of Oakley’s opportunities in the first half came mainly as a result of Russell Smart’s probing runs at the Kirkcaldy defence, but the finishing was not of the highest order and several half chances went a begging.

The deadlock was broken however after a sweeping move the length of the park, nice intricate passing on the edge of the Oakley box between Murray & Buist resulted in a Buist chip to CRAIG MORRISON who took the ball early and lobbed the stranded keeper.

Half Time: Kirkcaldy 0 – 1 Oakley United

The first fifteen minutes promised much for the O’s but thanks to some excellent defending by Kirkcaldy’s Craig Ness and some lenient Refereeing decisions in and around the box denied them a second goal. The biggest pill to take was the Referees inability to see the continual shirt pulling by the Kirkcaldy players and the low-point when he blanked Jacko Baird being taken down for a blatant penalty despite being less than five yards away.

Oakley then gifted Kirkcaldy an equaliser on 61 minutes when they failed to deal with another huge hump from the Kirkcaldy keeper. The Oakley defence allowed the ball to bounce and with devastating effect as the ball was tucked away past a stranded Greig Maitland.

A Kirkcaldy headed corner on 69 minutes and another “hump” on 70 mins that the Oakley defence again failed to handle, quickly made it 3 – 1 to the home team. This sparked to life the Oakley team, with their back four pressing up the field and the like of Smart, Lammie and the Morrison brothers starting to control the ball, An Oakley fightback looked a possibility.

On 79 minutes Craig Morrison almost pulled one back through a superb solo effort, when he twisted and turned his way clear on the edge of the box only to see his chip bounce down off the underside of the bar and away. Craig was Oakley’s main threat and had the Kirkcaldy defence all at sea, when he beat his marker after he received a through ball from Willie Newbigging, before squaring for RYAN EWING to tap in an easy chance.

After the goal that never was last week at Crossgates the Referee once again was instrumental in gifting another goal to the opposition. When clearly two yards offside and being the only out-field player in the Oakley half, the referee allowed the Kirkcaldy striker to run In on the Oakley goal and make it 4-2.
Deep into injury time Oakley finally got something from the referee when he awarded Oakley a penalty after Lee Morrison was upended in the box.

Up stepped Player/Manager Willie Newbigging to crash the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Final Score: Kirkcaldy YM 4 – 3 Oakley United

The two teams on show could hardly muster eleven fit men between them, let alone eleven each, but despite that it was a very enjoyable game in what has to be the warmest day of the year.

After bruising tussles against Rosyth, Crossgates and Kirkcaldy the Oakley starting line up had a variety of injuries that would not have been out of place in an episode of Holby City.

Lammie, Ewing, Maitland and Newbigging all played despite their assorted injuries, however midfielder John Rushford was forced to sit it out on the bench for another week. Long term Injuries made Lister, Allison and Bannatyne still unavailable for selection.

After the disappointment of the last two results, Oakley needed a win and started this encounter at a tremendous tempo, having the ball in the Lochore net within a minute of kick off. Craig Morrison created a chance for himself on the edge of the box that the Lochore keeper failed to hold, resulting in Russell Smart simply knocking the ball over the line only to be deemed offside.

Oakley had a number of opportunities to take the lead with Ross Morrison, Scot Buist and Craig Morrison all coming close before Russell SMART finally got his just reward, with his 15th of the season. Driving the ball through a ruck of defenders after some excellent play from Ryan Ewing .

The Oakley lead didn’t last long, two minutes to be exact when Ward curled a free kick beyond the wall and a stranded Greig Maitland. Three minutes later it was Two-One to the O’s. Oakley won a corner after some panicky defending by the Lochore rear guard, which resulted in Roger DUFFIN finally poking home from close range.

Determined not to lose that lead and to complete an exciting eight minutes, Willie NEWBIGGING unleashed a rasping 25 yard free kick high into the roof of the Lochore net with the Lochore keeper grasping at imaginary butterflies to make it three-One after only 24 minutes.

To add to the Oakley casualty list, Craig Morrison had to be substituted on 28 minutes after a hefty challenge on the edge of the box that had denied him another goal scoring opportunity. Young Jacko Baird came on in his place and had the ball in the net within minutes of coming on, only to see his effort also chalked off, this time apparently the ball had gone out of play.

Half Time: Lochore Welfare 1 – 3 Oakley United

It wasn’t long before Oakley had the ball in the net again, and again it was chalked off for offside despite Ryan Ewing being played at least 3 yards on. Oakley were now in total control, with no efforts on Maitland’s goal of note in the whole 45 minutes. Ross Morrison was orchestrating everything in midfield, creating chances for Ewing and Smart as well as himself but all without adding to Oakley’s lead.

Smart and Newbigging were replaced on 75 minutes by Scott Johnston and Stuart Malcolm with the forthcoming Kelty game in mind.

With time running out, Stuart Malcolm had an effort cleared off the line and with two other close calls from Jacko Baird and Ross Morrison Oakley ran out winners 3-1 on a night it so easily could’ve been ten!

Final Score: Lochore 1 – 3 Oakley United

Following Oakley’s shock defeat on Saturday to Crossgates, Kirkcaldy proved that Lightning can strike in the same place twice. A mixture of an increasing injury list, poor defending and dubious refereeing were to blame for another three points slipping away. The first twenty minutes was an end to end affair with Craig Morrison, Jacko Baird, Scott Lammie, and Roger Duffin all having efforts on goal but all to no avail.

Oakley as usual played to their strengths despite key players not being available, in trying to get the ball down and play passing football versus the “Big Hump & Run” tactics that Kirkcaldy were employing. Most of Oakley’s opportunities in the first half came mainly as a result of Russell Smart’s probing runs at the Kirkcaldy defence, but the finishing was not of the highest order and several half chances went a begging.

The deadlock was broken however after a sweeping move the length of the park, nice intricate passing on the edge of the Oakley box between Murray & Buist resulted in a Buist chip to CRAIG MORRISON who took the ball early and lobbed the stranded keeper.

Half Time: Kirkcaldy 0 – 1 Oakley United

The first fifteen minutes promised much for the O’s but thanks to some excellent defending by Kirkcaldy’s Craig Ness and some lenient Refereeing decisions in and around the box denied them a second goal. The biggest pill to take was the Referees inability to see the continual shirt pulling by the Kirkcaldy players and the low-point when he blanked Jacko Baird being taken down for a blatant penalty despite being less than five yards away.

Oakley then gifted Kirkcaldy an equaliser on 61 minutes when they failed to deal with another huge hump from the Kirkcaldy keeper. The Oakley defence allowed the ball to bounce and with devastating effect as the ball was tucked away past a stranded Greig Maitland.

A Kirkcaldy headed corner on 69 minutes and another “hump” on 70 mins that the Oakley defence again failed to handle, quickly made it 3 – 1 to the home team. This sparked to life the Oakley team, with their back four pressing up the field and the like of Smart, Lammie and the Morrison brothers starting to control the ball, An Oakley fightback looked a possibility.

On 79 minutes Craig Morrison almost pulled one back through a superb solo effort, when he twisted and turned his way clear on the edge of the box only to see his chip bounce down off the underside of the bar and away. Craig was Oakley’s main threat and had the Kirkcaldy defence all at sea, when he beat his marker after he received a through ball from Willie Newbigging, before squaring for RYAN EWING to tap in an easy chance.

After the goal that never was last week at Crossgates the Referee once again was instrumental in gifting another goal to the opposition. When clearly two yards offside and being the only out-field player in the Oakley half, the referee allowed the Kirkcaldy striker to run In on the Oakley goal and make it 4-2.
Deep into injury time Oakley finally got something from the referee when he awarded Oakley a penalty after Lee Morrison was upended in the box.

Up stepped Player/Manager Willie Newbigging to crash the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Final Score: Kirkcaldy YM 4 – 3 Oakley United

The two teams on show could hardly muster eleven fit men between them, let alone eleven each, but despite that it was a very enjoyable game in what has to be the warmest day of the year.

After bruising tussles against Rosyth, Crossgates and Kirkcaldy the Oakley starting line up had a variety of injuries that would not have been out of place in an episode of Holby City.

Lammie, Ewing, Maitland and Newbigging all played despite their assorted injuries, however midfielder John Rushford was forced to sit it out on the bench for another week. Long term Injuries made Lister, Allison and Bannatyne still unavailable for selection.

After the disappointment of the last two results, Oakley needed a win and started this encounter at a tremendous tempo, having the ball in the Lochore net within a minute of kick off. Craig Morrison created a chance for himself on the edge of the box that the Lochore keeper failed to hold, resulting in Russell Smart simply knocking the ball over the line only to be deemed offside.

Oakley had a number of opportunities to take the lead with Ross Morrison, Scot Buist and Craig Morrison all coming close before Russell SMART finally got his just reward, with his 15th of the season. Driving the ball through a ruck of defenders after some excellent play from Ryan Ewing .

The Oakley lead didn’t last long, two minutes to be exact when Ward curled a free kick beyond the wall and a stranded Greig Maitland. Three minutes later it was Two-One to the O’s. Oakley won a corner after some panicky defending by the Lochore rear guard, which resulted in Roger DUFFIN finally poking home from close range.

Determined not to lose that lead and to complete an exciting eight minutes, Willie NEWBIGGING unleashed a rasping 25 yard free kick high into the roof of the Lochore net with the Lochore keeper grasping at imaginary butterflies to make it three-One after only 24 minutes.

To add to the Oakley casualty list, Craig Morrison had to be substituted on 28 minutes after a hefty challenge on the edge of the box that had denied him another goal scoring opportunity. Young Jacko Baird came on in his place and had the ball in the net within minutes of coming on, only to see his effort also chalked off, this time apparently the ball had gone out of play.

Half Time: Lochore Welfare 1 – 3 Oakley United

It wasn’t long before Oakley had the ball in the net again, and again it was chalked off for offside despite Ryan Ewing being played at least 3 yards on. Oakley were now in total control, with no efforts on Maitland’s goal of note in the whole 45 minutes. Ross Morrison was orchestrating everything in midfield, creating chances for Ewing and Smart as well as himself but all without adding to Oakley’s lead.

Smart and Newbigging were replaced on 75 minutes by Scott Johnston and Stuart Malcolm with the forthcoming Kelty game in mind.

With time running out, Stuart Malcolm had an effort cleared off the line and with two other close calls from Jacko Baird and Ross Morrison Oakley ran out winners 3-1 on a night it so easily could’ve been ten!

Final Score: Lochore 1 – 3 Oakley United

Following Oakley’s shock defeat on Saturday to Crossgates, Kirkcaldy proved that Lightning can strike in the same place twice. A mixture of an increasing injury list, poor defending and dubious refereeing were to blame for another three points slipping away. The first twenty minutes was an end to end affair with Craig Morrison, Jacko Baird, Scott Lammie, and Roger Duffin all having efforts on goal but all to no avail.

Oakley as usual played to their strengths despite key players not being available, in trying to get the ball down and play passing football versus the “Big Hump & Run” tactics that Kirkcaldy were employing. Most of Oakley’s opportunities in the first half came mainly as a result of Russell Smart’s probing runs at the Kirkcaldy defence, but the finishing was not of the highest order and several half chances went a begging.

The deadlock was broken however after a sweeping move the length of the park, nice intricate passing on the edge of the Oakley box between Murray & Buist resulted in a Buist chip to CRAIG MORRISON who took the ball early and lobbed the stranded keeper.

Half Time: Kirkcaldy 0 – 1 Oakley United

The first fifteen minutes promised much for the O’s but thanks to some excellent defending by Kirkcaldy’s Craig Ness and some lenient Refereeing decisions in and around the box denied them a second goal. The biggest pill to take was the Referees inability to see the continual shirt pulling by the Kirkcaldy players and the low-point when he blanked Jacko Baird being taken down for a blatant penalty despite being less than five yards away.

Oakley then gifted Kirkcaldy an equaliser on 61 minutes when they failed to deal with another huge hump from the Kirkcaldy keeper. The Oakley defence allowed the ball to bounce and with devastating effect as the ball was tucked away past a stranded Greig Maitland.

A Kirkcaldy headed corner on 69 minutes and another “hump” on 70 mins that the Oakley defence again failed to handle, quickly made it 3 – 1 to the home team. This sparked to life the Oakley team, with their back four pressing up the field and the like of Smart, Lammie and the Morrison brothers starting to control the ball, An Oakley fightback looked a possibility.

On 79 minutes Craig Morrison almost pulled one back through a superb solo effort, when he twisted and turned his way clear on the edge of the box only to see his chip bounce down off the underside of the bar and away. Craig was Oakley’s main threat and had the Kirkcaldy defence all at sea, when he beat his marker after he received a through ball from Willie Newbigging, before squaring for RYAN EWING to tap in an easy chance.

After the goal that never was last week at Crossgates the Referee once again was instrumental in gifting another goal to the opposition. When clearly two yards offside and being the only out-field player in the Oakley half, the referee allowed the Kirkcaldy striker to run In on the Oakley goal and make it 4-2.
Deep into injury time Oakley finally got something from the referee when he awarded Oakley a penalty after Lee Morrison was upended in the box.

Up stepped Player/Manager Willie Newbigging to crash the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Final Score: Kirkcaldy YM 4 – 3 Oakley United

The two teams on show could hardly muster eleven fit men between them, let alone eleven each, but despite that it was a very enjoyable game in what has to be the warmest day of the year.

After bruising tussles against Rosyth, Crossgates and Kirkcaldy the Oakley starting line up had a variety of injuries that would not have been out of place in an episode of Holby City.

Lammie, Ewing, Maitland and Newbigging all played despite their assorted injuries, however midfielder John Rushford was forced to sit it out on the bench for another week. Long term Injuries made Lister, Allison and Bannatyne still unavailable for selection.

After the disappointment of the last two results, Oakley needed a win and started this encounter at a tremendous tempo, having the ball in the Lochore net within a minute of kick off. Craig Morrison created a chance for himself on the edge of the box that the Lochore keeper failed to hold, resulting in Russell Smart simply knocking the ball over the line only to be deemed offside.

Oakley had a number of opportunities to take the lead with Ross Morrison, Scot Buist and Craig Morrison all coming close before Russell SMART finally got his just reward, with his 15th of the season. Driving the ball through a ruck of defenders after some excellent play from Ryan Ewing .

The Oakley lead didn’t last long, two minutes to be exact when Ward curled a free kick beyond the wall and a stranded Greig Maitland. Three minutes later it was Two-One to the O’s. Oakley won a corner after some panicky defending by the Lochore rear guard, which resulted in Roger DUFFIN finally poking home from close range.

Determined not to lose that lead and to complete an exciting eight minutes, Willie NEWBIGGING unleashed a rasping 25 yard free kick high into the roof of the Lochore net with the Lochore keeper grasping at imaginary butterflies to make it three-One after only 24 minutes.

To add to the Oakley casualty list, Craig Morrison had to be substituted on 28 minutes after a hefty challenge on the edge of the box that had denied him another goal scoring opportunity. Young Jacko Baird came on in his place and had the ball in the net within minutes of coming on, only to see his effort also chalked off, this time apparently the ball had gone out of play.

Half Time: Lochore Welfare 1 – 3 Oakley United

It wasn’t long before Oakley had the ball in the net again, and again it was chalked off for offside despite Ryan Ewing being played at least 3 yards on. Oakley were now in total control, with no efforts on Maitland’s goal of note in the whole 45 minutes. Ross Morrison was orchestrating everything in midfield, creating chances for Ewing and Smart as well as himself but all without adding to Oakley’s lead.

Smart and Newbigging were replaced on 75 minutes by Scott Johnston and Stuart Malcolm with the forthcoming Kelty game in mind.

With time running out, Stuart Malcolm had an effort cleared off the line and with two other close calls from Jacko Baird and Ross Morrison Oakley ran out winners 3-1 on a night it so easily could’ve been ten!

Final Score: Lochore 1 – 3 Oakley United

Following Oakley’s shock defeat on Saturday to Crossgates, Kirkcaldy proved that Lightning can strike in the same place twice. A mixture of an increasing injury list, poor defending and dubious refereeing were to blame for another three points slipping away. The first twenty minutes was an end to end affair with Craig Morrison, Jacko Baird, Scott Lammie, and Roger Duffin all having efforts on goal but all to no avail.

Oakley as usual played to their strengths despite key players not being available, in trying to get the ball down and play passing football versus the “Big Hump & Run” tactics that Kirkcaldy were employing. Most of Oakley’s opportunities in the first half came mainly as a result of Russell Smart’s probing runs at the Kirkcaldy defence, but the finishing was not of the highest order and several half chances went a begging.

The deadlock was broken however after a sweeping move the length of the park, nice intricate passing on the edge of the Oakley box between Murray & Buist resulted in a Buist chip to CRAIG MORRISON who took the ball early and lobbed the stranded keeper.

Half Time: Kirkcaldy 0 – 1 Oakley United

The first fifteen minutes promised much for the O’s but thanks to some excellent defending by Kirkcaldy’s Craig Ness and some lenient Refereeing decisions in and around the box denied them a second goal. The biggest pill to take was the Referees inability to see the continual shirt pulling by the Kirkcaldy players and the low-point when he blanked Jacko Baird being taken down for a blatant penalty despite being less than five yards away.

Oakley then gifted Kirkcaldy an equaliser on 61 minutes when they failed to deal with another huge hump from the Kirkcaldy keeper. The Oakley defence allowed the ball to bounce and with devastating effect as the ball was tucked away past a stranded Greig Maitland.

A Kirkcaldy headed corner on 69 minutes and another “hump” on 70 mins that the Oakley defence again failed to handle, quickly made it 3 – 1 to the home team. This sparked to life the Oakley team, with their back four pressing up the field and the like of Smart, Lammie and the Morrison brothers starting to control the ball, An Oakley fightback looked a possibility.

On 79 minutes Craig Morrison almost pulled one back through a superb solo effort, when he twisted and turned his way clear on the edge of the box only to see his chip bounce down off the underside of the bar and away. Craig was Oakley’s main threat and had the Kirkcaldy defence all at sea, when he beat his marker after he received a through ball from Willie Newbigging, before squaring for RYAN EWING to tap in an easy chance.

After the goal that never was last week at Crossgates the Referee once again was instrumental in gifting another goal to the opposition. When clearly two yards offside and being the only out-field player in the Oakley half, the referee allowed the Kirkcaldy striker to run In on the Oakley goal and make it 4-2.
Deep into injury time Oakley finally got something from the referee when he awarded Oakley a penalty after Lee Morrison was upended in the box.

Up stepped Player/Manager Willie Newbigging to crash the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Final Score: Kirkcaldy YM 4 – 3 Oakley United