East of Scotland round-up: Musselburgh boss reflects on eight-goal thriller as Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, Penicuik and Tranent all win

Musselburgh Athletic boss Kevin McDonald admitted his players put him through the wringer after they came from 3-1 behind against Tynecastle to win 5-3 and get their first points on the board in the East of Scotland Premier.
Prolific striker Matti King netted the opener for Musselburgh in their 5-3 win against TynecastleProlific striker Matti King netted the opener for Musselburgh in their 5-3 win against Tynecastle
Prolific striker Matti King netted the opener for Musselburgh in their 5-3 win against Tynecastle

Both sets of defences certainly weren’t on top in a match which would have given punters full value for their £6 entry fee and then some had they been allowed to enter the Olivebank gates.

Burgh opened the scoring after 18 minutes through club record goalscorer Matti King who found the net at the second attempt after Tynecastle captain Michael Langdale had blocked his first effort on the line.

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From then on McDonald was left scratching his head as a diving header from Blake Wales and a headed goal from Tynecastle’s 16-year-old centre back Jonathan Steele, captain of their 20s side, had the visitors ahead at the interval.

“We started well for 20 minutes and we went in front and we looked comfortable, and then for whatever reason - I don’t know if it’s a mental thing - we seemed to think it was easy and before we knew it we were 2-1 down,” said McDonald.

From a home point of view matters got worse just three minutes after the interval when Tynie striker Kenny Fisher found the back of the net.

McDonald continued: “They gave us a heart attack when it went three. We seem to be getting punished for all our little individual mistakes, hopefully that will swing when we get a bit of a momentum. The hardest thing is getting your first three on the points on the board and I felt a bit of nervousness in the performance. Hopefully we will now kick on.”

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Momentum is a crucial factor in sport, and the instant reply which the home side served almost immediately certainly kicked them on as Brian Martin, 19 years older than his opposite centre half Steele, netted from close range to pull a goal back.

New signing Dean Ballantyne soon brought Burgh level with a well-struck volley into the bottom corner as the hosts ramped up the pressure.

With 12 minutes remaining, substitute Nathan Evans left no question marks over the goal of the game as he struck a first-time volley into the roof of the net after he connected with Conor Thomson’s corner-kick at the front post. Martin then headed in for his second to put an end to a thrilling contest.

Tynecastle boss Stevie McLeish was disappointed not to take something for his side’s effort, he said: “I felt we deserved something out the game. The way we try and play is a breath of fresh air, we get the ball down and everything is positive. They’ve got experience in abundance which won them the game in the end.”

LTHV maintain 100% start; wins for Cuikie and Tranent

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Elsewhere, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale maintained their 100-per-cent start with a 2-0 victory away to Dundonald Bluebell with striker Sean Wringe notching a double. Tranent joined them at the top of the league after they won 3-2 despite being down to ten men with Rhys Craigie firing in the winner. Penicuik made it two victories from two with a 3-0 defeat of Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts on the road.

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