Dunfermline Press | Sport | Oakley in battle to beat the drop

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 09:00

Oakley in battle to beat the drop

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GETTING SHIRTY: Rosyth Recreation (in red) faced Montrose Roselea in the Redwood Leisure Cup last Saturday and triumphed 3-1 to give Paul Mooney his first win as the new boss

IT’S a Friday night showdown for Oakley United and their boss has labelled the derby match at Hill of Beath as “do or die” for their survival hopes.

Willie Newbigging’s men are bottom of the Super League table but Carnoustie, Glenrothes and the Haws are all within six points.

The United boss said, “It’s do or die for us if we want to stay in this league but they’re down there too and a win for us draws them right into the mire.

“If we win on Friday night, which is very possible as I’ve heard they’ve not been doing too well, it will hopefully make it a bit more interesting as it’ll be squeaky bum time.”

Oakley have six games left to save their season but Newbigging said they’ll have to play better after describing his defence as “absolute murder” against Scone Thistle.

They were ahead four times on Saturday only to lose 5-4 in the Maloco and Associates Cup.

The boss said, “The good thing about it is we scored goals but our defending was absolutely ridiculous, they just weren’t at the races.

“They had one boy at 6ft3 and he caused us bother from the first minute to the last, we couldn’t handle him at all.

“As far as changes go for Friday, I’m not going to wield the axe as these are the type of games which, if they want to play in the Super League, they’re going to have to stand up and be counted.”

Kelty Hearts have similar problems at the back and Stevie Leighton slammed his side after the 4-1 defeat at St Andrews in the Kingdom Kegs Cup.

“Although St Andrews worked their socks off, there’s no way we should be losing four goals to a team from the Fife leagues,” he fumed.

“It was criminal defending as a team, not just the back four and the keeper, and no-one gets any pass marks after that performance.

“It was pure laziness from us, mentally we switched off and started getting the wrong side of players as we just dropped the tempo.

“Now we’ve got Lochee away, who are probably the favourites for the league title.”

Frustrated Leighton has been left scratching his head by Kelty’s inconsistency and gave a veiled threat that under-performing players will face the exit door.

“We’ve made changes this season but I believe we’re a better team than the one which got to the Scottish Junior Cup final,” he said.

“However that team had a work ethic and what’s worrying me is the Jekyll and Hyde performances we’re putting in as we’re capable of beating, and getting beaten, by anyone right now.

“I would be more concerned if we weren’t in a healthier position in the league and the teams below us all dropped points but we shouldn’t be looking at that with the kind of squad and players we have here.

“If they don’t lift it we’ll have to decide at the end of the season if they are players we want to keep working with or if we bring in new faces.”

There was better luck for Rosyth and new boss Paul Mooney led his side to a 3-1 home win over Montrose Roselea in the Redwood Leisure Cup.

Craig Morrison, Stuart Haddow and Kris Vaughan were on the scoresheet while Steelend were also involved in a nine-goal thriller but, just like Oakley, they lost 5-4.

Vics goals came from an Alan Kirkwood double, Graeme Watson and James Bolam while Mark Pagliarulo was on target for Crossgates in their 2-1 loss at Newburgh.

l Friday’s fixtures (kick off 6.30pm): Whyte and Mackay East Region Super League – Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Oakley United; Whyte and Mackay East Central League – Steelend Vics v St Andrews United; Kingdom Kegs Cup – Glenrothes v Rosyth.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick off 2.30pm): Whyte and Mackay East Region Super League – Lochee United v Kelty Hearts.

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