EAST REGION SUPERLEAGUE WINNERS
2012/13

Unbeaten Linlithgow wrapped up their first league title for six years with an emphatic victory over Lochee United.

 

The visitors survived an early scare thanks to Mark Bannon's goal-line clearance after Roddy MacLennan rounded Stephen Vanderdeyl.

 

However two goals in two minutes midway through the first half put Rose on course for the title. Tommy Coyne knocked down Jamie MacKenzie's long ball and Colin Strickland slotted a shot past Vanderdeyl to open the scoring. Then Gordon Herd brought down John Ovenstone's diagonal ball and drove a second past the Lochee keeper.

 

Lochee's hopes of taking any points were in tatters before half time when Ross Grant picked up two yellow cards for fouls within the space of thirty seconds and saw red as a result.

 

Linlithgow blazed further ahead with two quickfire goals after the interval. Coyne converted Strickland's layoff for the third after Rose overwhelmed Lochee on the break and Shirra netted after great play in the box by Roddy MacLennan for the fourth.

 

David Hay saved twice in quick succession to deny Jon Voigt as Lochee had a better spell, but the flow towards the Lochee goal was soon resumed.

 

Goal of the day arrived when substitute Calum Smith outpaced a defender before beating Vanderdeyl with an audacious chip.

 

Man of the Match Andy Shirra was the provider for the sixth goal soon after when he set up Coyne who scored with a curling shot.

 

The scoring was wrapped up when Stuart McArthur picked out Adam Nelson who rounded Vanderdeyl before rolling the ball into the bet from an acute angle.

 

Triumphant Rose boss Mark Bradley said: "The boys were absolutely brilliant today. To clinch the title by scoring seven goals against a team like Lochee who don't normally crumble like that was a joy to watch. It was great to win the league here at Prestonfield in front of the fans who follow us every week. It was a class goal by Calum Smith who showed pace and desire and it was an unbelievable finish. The last time we won the league I was a player and it's great to win it again in our first season as a management team here. Right from the first game of this campaign we've shown what we're all about. There's still four league games to go and we want to win every game we play  we'll approach every game remaining this season the same way.

 

Assistant Rose boss Marvyn Wilson said "The level of consistency the players have shown all season has been great ! they've shown a professional mentality and it's been a pleasure to work with them."

Rose finished the season unbeaten setting a new record of points, goals scored and games won
P 22 W 19 D 3 L 0 F 59 A 15 PTS 60 
Scorers - Strickland 14, Coyne 13(6 pens), Roddy 6, Herd 5, Smith 5, McArthur 4, Manson 3, Ruari 3, Shirra 2, Nelson 2, Tyrell 1,
OG 1.