Archived Match Reports

18th November 2006 - 17th March 2007

Oakley have major say in
"Battle of the Roses"

Blairwood Park welcomed a Bonnyrigg team that are sitting on the shoulder of the current leaders Linlithgow in the battle for the Super League title. Three points would’ve put Bonnyrigg only one point behind Linlithgow with a game in hand as Linlithgow were on Scottish Cup duty.

In their previous dozen league matches they had won 9, drawn 2 and lost only the once to last seasons Champions Tayport 2-0, so to say that they were in form is somewhat of an understatement. Unbeaten in their six away matches this season also gives an indication of the size of Oakley’s task.

That task looked somewhat insurmountable as Rose were by far the better team in the first 45 minutes, dominating possession and restricted Oakley to at best two half chances.
Sean Grady who netted twice for the Rose in their 3-0 win over Oakley, on the O’s visit to New Dundas Park in October, was again the star of the show.

Twice in the first quarter hour he found himself through one on one versus Oakley’s Martin Parkyn, the first encounter went Parkyn’s way when he blocked with his legs bur the second went the way of the striker when despite being at least a yard offside was allowed to round the keeper and coolly slipped the ball into the net for the opener.

Rose had two further opportunities to go through on goal but the Assistant ref flagged them both offside when in fact they looked on.

The second half saw a different Oakley United, they were by far the better team and had a number of half chances with the best efforts coming from a Scott Lammie long range blast being deflected for a corner, and a Roger Duffin header slipping just wide. On the hour Ross Morrison was replaced by Jimmy Lister with devastating effect. With his first touch in the game LISTER rose to flick a Willie Newbigging free kick beyond the despairing fingers of Coyle to draw the O’s level.

Oakley pushed forward and almost paid the price on 80 minutes, when they rode their luck as Rose firstly hit the post and then the bar in a mad few seconds for the home defence.

A minute later a last ditch tackle by Roses right back Robertson, poked the ball away for a corner from Russell Smart just as he was about to pull the trigger.
As the game played out, Oakley were the only team that looked liked scoring and the Rose defence became increasingly nervous at the though of losing all three points in their title challenge. However try as they might the Oakley attack couldn’t find away through and it ended one apiece.

Final Score: Oakley United 1 – 1 Bonnyrigg Rose
Lister 60, Grady 16.

Oakley drop into relegation place

On an afternoon that Oakley were beaten by the better team, all other results went against them and therefore dropping the O’s into the bottom two for the first time this season.

As manager Willie Newbigging stated “it’s no disgrace in being beaten by Linlithgow Rose, they are a quality side” but his concern was the lack of fight in the second 45 and the indiscipline towards the final whistle. Newbigging also stated after the game that he believed that Rose’s two front men Herd and Carrigan are one of the best strike partnerships in the Junior game today.

It was not all “doom and gloom” however, as there were a number of pluses for Oakley on the day, especially the return to action of John Allison, back after almost a year out after surgery on a very serious knee injury. John replaced Richard Workman on 70 minutes and came through unscathed, if not a little tired.

The first forty five was a close fought affair with neither Oakley nor Linlithgow controlling any great period of play. It was end to end with Rose looking slightly quicker from back to front. Oakley’s new number One pick between the posts Martin Parkyn showed why when firstly he dived bravely at the feet of Herd when the striker found himself through one on one and secondly when he denied Tyrell when he got down low to his left to smother. Although BRADLEY put Rose one up direct from a dubiously awarded free kick on 34 minutes the best chance of the game fell to Oakley’s Ryan Ewing as early as the 27th minute, but the striker somewhat snatched the opportunity and sliced it wide off the top of his boot just when the goal seemed to open up in front of him.

Half Time. Oakley United 0 – 1 Linlithgow Rose

The second half was only four minutes old when Rose made it two, Workman failed to connect properly with the ball as he attempted to pass back to Parkyn and HERD closed in and lobbed it over the advancing keeper for a superbly taken goal.

Parkyn was called on again only a few minutes later when he had to dive full length to his left to turn a Tyrell strike past for a corner. TYRELL was not to be denied and made it three when again he found himself despite shouts of offside from the crowd, through one on one but this time Parkyn was unable to block the strikers shot.
With time running out Oakley had a period of pressure pinning Rose back with a series of corners before club Captain Roger Duffin pushed forward and had a fine header well saved down on the line by Oliver.

As Oakley continued to push to get a consolation goal, they were caught by the classic counter punch when the speed of CARRIGAN allowed him to close in on Parkyn who managed to get a glove to the ball but it trickled over the line for Roses fourth of the afternoon.

Final Result; Oakley United 0 – 4 Linlithgow Rose

Penalties needed to see off Albert

Oakley took their place in the hat for the second round of the “East of Scotland” Cup by seeing off a plucky Lochgelly Albert, on penalties at the end of ninety minutes. Despite being unable to find their way to goal in regular time, all five of Oakley’s penalty takers made the net bulge as they finally won through 5-3.

Martin Parkyn made the win possible by saving Kinnell’s spot kick low to his left allowing Jimmy Lister the pleasure of stroking home the winner.

It could’ve and should’ve been all over long before the final whistle as a number of squandered chances and some quality saves by Albert’s keeper Rushford denied Oakley what easily could’ve been a five or six nil scoreline.

The first half was a drab affair with Oakley having the majority of the chances with Craig Morrison coming closest on a number of occasions, the best of which was a lob on 33 minutes that bounced back off the bar. It was Craig Morrison that had the first opportunity of the second half when on 47mins he slipped when presented with an open goal and he fired over.

In the following five minutes Albert’s keeper Rushford denied Jacko Baird (twice), as well as clawing away from crowd favorite Russell Smart as he ran through on goal.
Oakley were on top and going for the win and came close on numerous occasions, Firstly Smart saw, a curling effort go just wide before another of his attempts rebounded back off the crossbar. Scott Lammie then poked it wide after a goalmouth scramble before Rushford in the Albert goal again denied Smart and then Lister in a matter of seconds.

It was either a case of brilliance or fluke that was going to win it, and it was nearly the latter as Wilson’s attempt to intercept, saw the ball squirm over the bar.
With ninety on the clock, Russell Smart was cynically taken down for a free kick as he made another of his trademark runs into the Albert defence. The resulting free kick saw Willie Newbigging’s rocket pushed wide for a corner from which a Scott Lammie 40 yarder stung the keeper’s fingers.

Final Score; Oakley United 0 – 0 Lochgelly Albert.

No Festive Cheer for Oakley

As 2006 comes to a close Oakley must reflect on the previous twelve months with mixed emotions. In a year that saw the O’s crowned Fife Champions after seeing off a late challenge by St Andrews as well as winning the ACA League Cup at the first time of asking beating Kelty Hearts on penalties.

The return to the Super League has been to say the least a bit of a roller -coaster. No more so than over the Christmas period, when on the back of having beaten Bo’Ness 3-0 away from home Oakley approached the two league encounters with Whitburn and Lochee in a positive frame of mind.

The Christmas tie versus Whitburn was swapped to Blairwood after Whitburn’s park was deemed unplayable. Normally at Xmas its Gold, frankincense and Mir that are gifted but Referee Liam Chalmers decided to give three gifts of his own unfortunately all to Whitburn.

Firstly he awarded Whitburn a penalty as early as the 14th minute for what nobody knows..Including the Whitburn players. A penalty that was eventually scored after Parkyn had saved the first but Referee Chalmers had had retaken. His Second Gift was awarding Whitburn a goal, after an effort that never looked like it was over the line and thirdly he sent Jimmy Lister off for swearing at another player !!! yet A Whitburn player swore at him later and NO action was taken.

The New Year tie versus Lochee. Manager Willie Newbigging and his coaching staff must’ve left Dundee shaking their heads after losing One-Nil to a Blackwood goal as late as the 61st minute after having been the better team on the day and having dominated the majority of the play. If only Russell Smart and Scot Buist had converted earlier opportunities perhaps the score would’ve been very different.

On what can only be described as a “heavy” park chances were few and far between and with both defences on top. It was a solid team performance from Oakley with the odd glimpses of brilliance from Lee Morrison to brighten up a bitterly cold afternoon.
The performance and thanks of the afternoon however must go to the Lochee Committee who looked after their Opponents and Oakley committee counterparts with Style and in true Christmas spirit.

It was a poor afternoon in other ways for Oakley as the League results in the main didn’t go our way.

Whyte & MacKay Super League - East Region

Linlithgow Rose 5 – 0 Hill O’Beath
Kinnoull 0 - 1 Bonnyrigg Rose
Tayport 2 – 1 Bathgate Thistle
Bo’Ness United 3 – 1 Whitburn
Carnoustie 0 – 0 Camelon

Deja Vu

Oakley’s Super League performance versus Carnoustie proved one thing, that the saying “lightning never strikes twice” is totally wrong, “Déjà vu” however would be a more accurate saying when you consider the events of Saturday’s match.

Similar to our earlier league encounter in October, Oakley again were the better team, again with the majority of possession and again creating more than their fair share of opportunities but somehow still managing to walk away with no points and losing Two One !

It could’ve been so different however when as early as the tenth minute when Oakley were awarded a Penalty after the recalled Jacko Baird was upended after a strong run into the area. Up stepped manager Newbigging but the normally assured goal was not forth coming as he fired well wide, much to the traveling supporter’s dismay.

Oakley had several close long range calls from both Craig Morrison and the inform Scott Lammie before on thirty minutes they took the lead. Again it was Jacko Baird that opened up the Carnoustie defence on the left wing before cutting in and crossing for Scott LAMMIE to out-jump his marker and head down into the net for a well deserved advantage.

Carnoustie’s keeper White was the reason that they went in only one goal down as in the closing stages of the first half he bravely saved at the feet of both Ryan Ewing and Russell Smart to deny Oakley an even bigger margin.

Half Time; Carnoustie Panmure 0 – 1 Oakley United

With the very first attack of the second half it should’ve been all square but from only a few yards out and the goal at his mercy Cummings somehow managed to balloon his effort a considerable distance over the bar.

Scott Lammie almost got his and Oakley’s second when after winning a thundering tackle in midfield he unleashed a fierce shot that all but took the paint off the post as it skimmed past.

But despite all Oakley’s pressure it was Carnoustie that got the next goal, from a free kick wide on Panmure’s left Cummings was allowed to run into the area to flick a header wide of Maitland and into the net to make up for his earlier glaring miss.
On the hour it was two-one, in a goal that could be described in film terms as “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” .. a good run and shot by Carnoustie’s Brand , Bad defending by several Oakley players and an Ugly save from Maitland that allowed the ball to squirm under his body and into the back of the net much to the delight of the bemused home support.

Oakley pushed for the equaliser but their task was made all the harder on 63 minutes when the influential Lammie was given his second yellow card of the afternoon, when it looked as if it was he that was fouled.

The Ten men however continued to dominate and only a series of great saves by White denied Oakley a point.

Firstly he dived full length to his right to deny Lister before right at the death managing to keep out shots from both Smart and a Scot Buist rasper that he knew nothing about until it hit his chest and rebounded clear.

Full Time; Carnoustie Panmure 2 - 1 Oakley United

Cummings 53, Lammie 30, Brand 60.

Dream Over for Another Year

Oakley are out of this years OVD Scottish Cup after failing to overcome their third round opponents Rutherglen Glencairn on a rain swept Blairwood Park.

Manager Willie Newbigging had not an easy task when it came to making his team selection for the game as long term injured John Allison, Chris Francis and Ross Morrison were joined by Peter Bannatyne(Holiday) and John Rushford(Banned) on the “Not available for Selection” list. Russell Smart(Ankle) and Scott Lammie(Hip) were therefore forced into playing and two substitute goalkeepers were named just to fill the bench.

The Only goal of the first half came as late as the 42nd minute when slack Oakley defending left MacDougall unmarked in the box allowing him time to turn and fire into the net past a stranded Maitland. It could’ve and should’ve been totally different as both Oakley and Rutherglen squandered a number of good chances to take the lead. With only one minute on the clock a clever step over by Ryan Ewing presented Oakley’s Craig Morrison with a golden opportunity but his sliced effort went well past. Ryan Ewing had a couple of half chances himself but it was Lee Morrison who had the best run of the whole game when he glided past a number of seemingly static Glen players before stinging McNab’s fingers with a scorcher of a drive from 30 yards.

Rutherglen also came close when they rattled the bar after Maitland failed to hold a cross and caused panic in the backline, he did redeem himself however when he charged down a Quinn shot when the diminutive striker was put through one on one on goal.
The second half was a mere 7 minutes old when the Oakley went further behind, after a fine cross field passing move MacDougall again found himself unmarked and he finished with style shooting wide of the diving Maitland.

Oakley pushed forward and almost paid the price when again a Rutherglen striker was put through one on one on Maitland’s goal with the same result as for the second time Maitland was the victor and the shot was pushed clear.

With the seconds running out it looked as if Oakley would pull it out of the fire as on 89 minutes Craig Morrison scored his twentieth of the season setting up a typical Oakley barnstorming finish for the remaining three minutes of injury time.

Not that Oakley’s play deserved a draw but it looked possible when Oakley were awarded a free kick with the very last kick. Craig Morrison normally deadly from this distance didn’t in fairness strike the ball truly and the game ended with Rutherglen triumphant and with their name in the hat for the fourth round draw.

Final Score; Oakley United 1 - 2 Rutherglen Glencairn

C Morrison 89 MacDougall 42, 52

Oakley Late Show

Player Manager Willie Newbigging’s Penalty sends Bathgate’s Balfour the wrong way to capture an unlikely point for Oakley.

With Ninety minutes gone it seemed as if last years beaten Scottish Cup Finalists Bathgate would along with their Armani suits, be heading back across the Forth bridge with all Three points from this Whyte & Mackay Super League encounter. BUT that was before the comeback of the season with firstly Ryan Ewing and then Player Manager Newbigging securing a Point for the O’s with TWO last minute goals !!

Bathgate had earlier capitilised on Oakley’s generous nature in the first forty five by going in at half time two nil to the good. Firstly Oakley failed to track back allowing Nicolson to score from close in on 10 minutes and then four minutes later to leave the effective McFadyen unmarked for a simple header from what can only be described as a weak corner, after Maitland had allowed the ball to bobble between his legs.

To add to Oakley’s misery Peter Bannatyne had to be replaced by Craig Morrison as early as the 23rd minute after he sustained a knock to his knee.
Oakley came out in the second half and found their rhythm a lot quicker than their more experienced counterparts and forced themselves back into the game with a Craig MORRISON strike as early as the 47th minute. Lister played a clever through ball to Morrison who smashed the ball past the despairing gloves of Balfour into the back of the net despite being fouled in his attempt.

McFadyen could’ve restored Bathgate’s advantage but he squandered what had to be the easiest opportunity of the afternoon when from only five yards out he scooped the ball well over Maitland’s bar after the usually reliable Duffin allowed the ball to slip under his foot.

Oakley had a number of half chances thereafter which were all scrambled clear by an ever despairing Bathgate back four. But in true Oakley tradition Bathgate were gifted a goal. Livewire Elliot twisted inside the Oakley box only to be taken down for a penalty which he himself took. Maitland guessed the right way but the ball slipped under his body and Bathgate again led by two.
To add insult to injury Oakley’s Scot Buist was given a straight Red card only two minutes later leaving Oakley with an uphill task for the closing 13minutes.
The home side of yesteryears would have packed up at this point but this year’s squad is made of sterner stuff and they poured forward causing Panic in the Bathgate rearguard. Willie Newbigging firstly unleashed a 40 yard scorcher that was deserving of a goal but only rattled off the bar, to be scrambled clear for a corner.

Ninety minutes came and went but with only injury time remaining Oakley produced a fightback of biblical proportions with two goals in the last minute to secure their point.

Clever inter-passing between Lammie and Murray resulted in Murray having a strike at goal, keeper Balfour managed to block the effort but only as far as Ryan EWING who scored from close in. With their hackles up Oakley pushed forward and were rewarded with a penalty kick after Lister was taken down by two defenders as he cleverly flicked the ball between them before being sandwiched to the ground.

Up stepped Newbigging who sent the keeper the wrong way to secure Oakley a valuable point, on a day when all seemed lost.

Final Score ; Oakley United 3 – 3 Bathgate Thistle

Morrison 47 Nicolson 10
Ewing 90 McFadyen 14
Newbigging 90(Pen)
Elliot 74(Pen)

Murray - Villian Turned Hero

Oakley is through to the third round of the Fife & Lothian’s Cup but only after a stern test set by Broxburn Athletic. The torrential rain over the past week meant that the park was at the least heavy and stopped Oakley playing their normal style of football.

Russell Smart joined long term injuries Chris Francis(Hernia), Ross Morrison(Broken Ankle) and John Allison(Knee) on the treatment table which added to Willie Newbigging’s selection worries. William Baird was due to start but an ankle injury saw him on the bench.

The first 15 minutes was all Broxburn as they tried to utilise their speed up front using the long punt from the back which in fairness probably suited the pitch conditions better that the expansive passing game that Oakley prefer.
Broxburn however had to make an instant substitution when Bishop was replaced by Wilson after dislocated his shoulder on 5 minutes following a clash with the Oakley Player Manager.

The first goal came very much against the run of play on 15minutes when after Oakley’s first bout of any real pressure LISTER prodded in from 5yards after an excellent inter-passing move involving Rushford and Ewing.
Broxburn had several opportunities to pull level but squandering the chances, the best of which was when they found themselves three on One and in on goal, but Buist was up to the task and cleared to safety.

The game was a dull affair but it came to life on 41 minutes when David Murray mis-controlled in the box and in his attempts to redeem himself pulled the Broxburn striker down for a penalty. Up stepped CHILTON to send Maitland the wrong way for 1-1.

Oakley almost had the perfect repost when after an excellent Lee Morrison free kick was only glanced on by Lister‘s head to Bannatyne who unleashed a volley that took the goal down as it rattled against the post.

Half Time Broxburn Athletic 1 - 1 Oakley United

Oakley came out of the blocks a lot quicker in the second half and started to play the style of football that has netted them twelve goals in two games. Firstly Duffin produced a long range effort that had the Broxburn keeper McCann scrambling before David MURRAY made up for his earlier mistake by running on to a lovely weighted Ewing through ball and lashing it past McCann who this time could only wave at it on the way past.

It was all Oakley at this stage and it looked like another goal was only a matter of time. Ewing blasted well over after he had created space for himself at the edge of the box and then was denied a tap in after a last ditch sliding interception by Broxburn‘s best player on the day Robinson after Craig Morrison had beat his man on the right.

John Rushford then shot over after a well worked short corner between Craig Morrison and Bannatyne, before Ewing had a goal disallowed for being adjudged offside. With time running out for Broxburn they missed the easiest chance of the game when Craig nipped in front of the Oakley defence but somehow contrived to side foot it wide when it was simpler to score.

That was really the last piece of action and the game petered out with the final Score;-

Broxburn Athletic 1 - 2 Oakley United

Chilton 41
Pen Lister 14
Murray 61