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Locos got back to winning ways at Grant Street Park with a performance full of energy in difficult conditions. Goals from Sam Burnett and Logan Johnstone in the opening 20 minutes put the Railwaymen in control before an unfortunate Greg Mitchell own goal reduced the deficit before the break. Calum Dingwall and Jay Halliday sealed the win in the second half with goals either side of a Fergus Adams strike for the Lilywhites.
Dean Donaldson made four changes from Saturday’s defeat at Deveronvale with Halliday, Burnett, Zack Ellis and Sam Robertson coming into the starting lineup. Ellis was called into action early, tipping a Connor Bunce effort over the bar. Locos took the lead in the ninth minute as Burnett diverted Aidan Wilson’s shot from the right past Michael Miele. The lead was doubled shortly before the mid-way point of the half as a lovely pass by Lloyd Robertson found Johnstone in space on the left of the area. Miele got a hand to his powerful drive but couldn’t keep it out.
With Locos making the running, Clach were forced into an early change and after a Halliday effort had rolled across the goal and wide, the hosts began to get a bit more joy in the attacking third. It took a slice of fortune to get them back into the game though as a Connor Bunce free kick from wide on the left looped off skipper Mitchell and beyond Ellis.
A downpour at the start of the second half left an already stodgy pitch even more sodden as players struggled to keep their footing at times. On the hour mark Locos had a succession of dangerous corners. Miele did well to tip Sam Robertson’s header over the crossbar from one but the pressure paid off as Dingwall’s set piece went straight in at the back post to re-open a two goal lead.
The home team looked to hit back almost immediately and after Ellis had saved well from Bunce, Adams finished from close range following the corner, with Locos looking for an offside flag. Both teams kept looking to attack and Halliday secured the points, firing in off the underside of the bar.
These two teams played out an entertaining game, particularly given the conditions and the fact that neither had much riding on the result. Locos will be delighted to take the points after a couple of disappointing results and will be hoping to take momentum into the reverse fixture at Harlaw Park on Saturday.
