Bathgate travelled to saughton sports complex to play Corstorphine in a league game. After a couple of weeks off Bathgate looked to get back to winning ways. A few changes had to be made after the last game due to some players not being available and some of the new guys coming in. Bathgate started the brighter of the two teams and used the wide men to get in behind the Corstorphine defence with Ryan hitting the post and Rossco drawing a good save from the keeper with a one on one. The Corstorphine keeper tipped another shot over the bar from Graham and Bathgate had a couple of corners that didn’t come too much. A long ball was taken on the chest by new player Gary which he then drove forward with the ball into the opposition half but tried to take on one to many players and lost the ball. A clearance ran through to the Corstorphine striker he then ran with ball and scored. The two Bathgate defenders should have been tighter and Francis possibly could have made a tackle but didn’t risk it with being last man. Bathgate regrouped and were soon level after Ryan was taken down outside the box and Francis stepped up to fire it perfectly in the top corner. The game then opened up with chances at both ends, Bathgate hit the bar and post again but couldn’t find the net. Finally, a through ball to Ryan, who then used his pace to get through one on one with the keeper which he tucked away easy.
HT 1-2
Second half started the same as the first with Bathgate taking it to Corstorphine but couldn’t find the final ball to threaten in the right areas. There were a few horrible tackles where the referee should have done more but Bathgate kept their head. After a Bathgate corner Woody took the ball on the corner of the 18-yard box and scored into the top far away corner to put Bathgate up 3-1. Bathgate made changes with Reece coming on for his debut for the booked Nathan and Corey replacing Aaron in the middle to freshen things up. At this point Corstorphine had made changes also and started to take the game to Bathgate. A Ball played into their striker on the edge of the box after Bathgate had failed to clear their lines ended up in a penalty. The striker had turned then went for a 9.0 dive to win a penalty which the referee gave to add to the poor performance he was already having. They converted the penalty well and really pilled on the pressure. There number 17 obviously is in the wrong sport as I don’t think he touched the ball but had a kick at 3 of the Bathgate players without a word from the referee. Corstorphine had a couple of corners ending in a very late tackle on Gary which he had to be carried off. Bathgate held out for the win and a vital 3 pts.

MOTM: Kenny Bates