Report

Pie and Bovril FC moved to joint top of the SSML after a fine 4-2 victory over Beechwood Albion. A fine chip from Andy Moffat and a hat-trick from Seedy Paul Wilson ensured the three points for the Bovvers.

The visitors made several changes to the side that drew with Livingston GS the previous week. Out went Gilbert, Telfer and Reid; in came Booth, Barr and Moffat. The Bovvers lined up with a 4-5-1 formation.

Both teams started the game tentatively, both sides often sloppy in possession and neither looking keen to commit men forward, but it was Pie and Bovril FC who opened the scoring. After some neat one touch passing at the back, Andy Moffat latched onto a defence splitting pass before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Beechwood had several good chances to draw level, but time and again they squandered their chances. This spell of pressure was to prove Beechwood's downfall and as they committed men forward, David Booth and Andy Munro combined to slide a ball through to Paul Wilson. The pacy frontman sprung the offside trap and ran half the length of the park before slotting the ball underneath the goalkeeper. The Bovvers led 2-0 at half time.

Pie and Bovril FC started the second half at a whirlwind pace, adding a third goal within minutes of the restart. Paul Wilson latched onto a ball across the penalty and drilled the ball low into the net, taking full advantage of some seriously sloppy Beechwood defending. He scored his hat-trick moments later, becoming the first ever Pie and Bovril FC's player to score a competitive hat-trick, taking his tally for the season to six goals in the process.

Beechwood, knowing the game was slipping from their grasp, changed formation and played with three forwards in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the game. Following a string of missed chances, they pulled a goal back as Caldwell hesitated before coming for a loose ball and the striker nipped in to prod the ball home. In the final 15 minutes of the game, the Bovvers rode their luck considerably and Beechwood will be kicking themselves at not capitalising on some good chances.

Beechwood reduced the deficit to two goals when visiting keeper Andrew Caldwell came for a high ball with around ten minutes to play, and despite looking like he had been fouled by the Beechwood front man, the referee waved play on and the striker snapped up the loose ball to ensure a frantic finale to the game. Pie and Bovril however, showed composure and stayed calm to slow the game down and played the final few minutes out in their opponents' half, ensuring an excellent victory.