Amateur football season kicks off

Old favourites Campsie Black Watch are back in a new guise after a year out while a new Harestanes United side - being a run as a second string for ther senior Harestanes side - also got off to a winning start.

Harestanes 2 Haldane United 1

Harestanes got their Foster’s Central Scottish Premier Division campaign off to a winning start with a hard fought 2-1 victory against newly promoted Haldane.

The visitors dominated the first half but rather wayward shooting did not allow them to reap any reward. Harestanes struggled to get into the match, disappointingly considering their excellent pre-season performances.

But the visitors ran out of steam in the second half as Harestanes’ superior fitness allowed them to take command.

Haldane had a decent early chance with their forward in the clear at the 18-yard line but the shot went sailing over the bar.

They had another good chance but could only drive wide of the right-hand post before their centre brought out a great stop from Travers.

Cawley did have a good chance from a corner but could only head wide. An effort from Burns had a similar fate.

Haldane took the lead in the second half. A cross from the right was neatly headed in with Travers having no chance.

Harestanes equalised following a high ball into the box by Thompson. Good play by Burns gave Fitzsimmons the chance to turn and thump high into the net.

Harestanes were reduced to 10 men following a straight red but Burns fought his way down the right, crossed for the keeper to fumble a Fitzsimmons header and the ball fell at the feet of Munns who belted it in.

Carronshore Athletic 1 Harestanes United 2

Newly formed Harestanes United secured a deserved first win in their League Cup tie against Carronshore Athletic at Stenhousemuir.

They dominated early possession and created chances before Carronshore slowly came back into the game.

Both sides had chances on goal which came to nothing.

Ben Mayo had the closest chance with his header flashing just wide of the post. Ryan McCormack was having a fine game in midfield, and was instrumental in much of Harestanes play.

The rest of the first half saw David Barrie’s shot going straight to the keeper and Lee McIvor going close with a one-on-one.

After the break Harestanes changed their shape and took the lead on 51 minutes when Jamie Dunn put Lee McIvor through to beat the keeper with a calm finish.

Five minutes later a great run and cross from McIvor put Mayo in but the keeper pulled off a fine save.

With 15 minutes left a good move was finished off by Dunn with a great shot from 20 yards to put Harestanes two up.

But three minutes later Harestanes went to sleep and Carronshore took advantage with Kieran Melville scoring a fine goal.

For the remainder of the game Carronshore pushed Harestanes hard but thanks to some fine defending - including an outstanding goalline clearance from Scott Spinelli - Harestanes held on.

Campsie Black Watch/Waterside 5 Clydebank 2

A long awaited return to football for Campsie Black Watch saw the new Campsie Black Watch/Waterside team beat Clydebank 5-2 in their opening Foster’s Central Scottish First Division match at Lennoxtown.

Clydebank went ahead in the 19th minute when a free-kick on the left taken by McNally hit a home defender and into the net past keeper Scott Wilson.

This was to be the best spell the visitors had in the game with Wilson having to make some important saves.

The equaliser came in the 38th minute when a fine move involving Hardie, Reeves and Aitken set up Hopes to beat keeper McPherson.

Within minutes of the restart Campsie were in front after a long ball down the wing to Pettigrew saw the young wingback slip past the defender Cormack then play the ball into Hopes who blasted the ball high into the net.

Pettigrew made it 3-1 in the 58th minute after Harty and Aitken set him up to run a the defender to beat the keeper from 20 yards .

It was non-stop attacking from Campsie and Corr made it 4-1 in the 67th minute after good outfield play from Horn, Pettigrew and Aitken.

The visitors pulled one back in the 76th minute when Easton netted from a Rodgers cross 4-2.

But Corr made it 5-2 in the 82nd minute after Hannah and Aitken played in the wingback to strike a spectacular volley.

This was a great start to a new season.

On Wednesday Campsie /Waterside travel to play Dunblane in a league game, kick-off 6.40pm.

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