Oakley United lose to Hill of Beath in East of Scotland League

OAKLEY UNITED boss Peter Goldie felt his team's derby match with Hill of Beath Hawthorn shouldn't have finished and is counting the cost of the impact on their pitch.

A 4-1 loss wasn't at the forefront of his mind following the game at Blairwood Park, which concluded despite atrocious weather conditions, and saw home player, Keir Young, taken to hospital after a clash of heads just before half-time.

In one of only three matches in the division to go ahead on Saturday, Ross Allum gave the visitors the lead just before the interval, which the same player doubled from distance shortly after the restart.

Lewis Elder netted their third from close range after a knockdown by former Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts player / boss, Pat Scullion, before Lewis Payne added a fourth from the penalty spot.

Finlay Goodlad grabbed a consolation late on for Oakley, who remain second bottom of the table, 22 points from safety, but Goldie felt the game shouldn't have continued after the half-time break – and claimed the referee agreed the pitch wasn't playable by time up.

"The park was absolutely horrendous," Goldie told Press Sport.

"The pitch was playable before the game, but it was heavy. The park has taken a battering.

"When we came out (at half-time) the rain was pelting down, and I thought the ref would see sense at some point. There were puddles on it and, as more rain came down, the heavier the park got.

"Surely it's about player safety? We spent a lot of money on the park this season, that's the park ruined."

Goldie, who was unsure whether it would be ready to ensure Saturday's scheduled match with Blackburn United goes ahead, was also relieved that Young wasn't seriously hurt, continuing: "He went up for a header and, seconds later, collapsed. Thankfully, he came round 30 seconds after he went out cold.

"We took him to the clubhouse to get a bit of heat in him and phoned for an ambulance, but his mum and dad took him to Larbert (Forth Valley Royal Hospital) to get checked out.

"It ruins your half-time prep, as my concern was how big Keir was, and the players' main concern was with Keir.

"Thankfully, everything looks ok."

On the match itself, Goldie said: "First half, we were excellent. We didn't deserve to go in 1-0 down in my opinion, but that's football.

"If you take the conditions out the game, it probably doesn't finish 4-1.

"In the last six or seven games, the fight's been there. All we ask is that they work as hard as the other team and, if they're beaten by better quality, so be it.

"The boys are fighting for each other and want to be here for the right reasons."

Elsewhere, Crossgates Primose and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts saw their Premier Division matches with Blackburn United and Vale of Leithen called off, as was First Division Rosyth's derby at Glenrothes.

A hastily arranged friendly with First Division Camelon Juniors ended in a 4-2 success for Primrose at Pitreavie, whilst the Swifts lost 6-3 in a friendly against Glenrothes.

Friday's fixture: East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Broxburn Athletic (7.45pm). Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Crossgates Primrose, Oakley United v Blackburn United. First Division: Camelon v Rosyth.