The match was already a hard one to predict but with 4 penalties, a red card and a horrendous wind to contend with, this game had pretty much everything!

Lochore had strengthened their squad midweek with the additions of three young players - goalkeeper Dylan Fleming came in to replace injured Declan Morgan after he was kicked in the head in an exhibition match on Tuesday vs Drury Mens Soccer (see our Tiktok for the gory details). Joe Donaldson joined on loan from East Fife 20's to add depth into the midfield and Raymond Reddington "Mando" came in on loan from Cowdenbeath FC. After the previous weeks hard fought win against Preston Athletic, Lochore went into the match looking to progress up the table.

Easthouses could also be confident of a good result based on their strong start in the league. Over the summer they have bolstered their squad and had a plethora of experienced heads who have played at a higher level including Kieran McGachie, Neil Janczyk, Steven Thomson, Louis Swanson and Johnny McManus.

It was Easthouses who played into the strong crosswind and started well. Their experience shone through as they tried to get the ball down and play. It was obvious the game was going to be a bit different from usual with every player on the park having to quickly adapt to the strong winds and hard playing surface. Lochore looked hesitant in defence and started slowly, nervous to go and win the ball as it held up in the air. Easthouses took full advantage of this slow start in the 10th minute with a simple dinked ball over the top managed to find its way into the box for captain SHAUN HILL to expertly caress it over the on-rushing goalkeeper. 1-0 Easthouses and Lochore seemed a little stunned.

Whilst Lochore had their struggles, they did look dangerous going forward and were trying to take advantage of the conditions - a long kick from keeper Dylan Fleming allowed Gregg Page to chase it into the Easthouses box, only to be tripped and a penalty given. GREGG PAGE then stepped up and slotted the ball past the keeper into the bottom left hand corner. Not the cleanest of penalties but they all count and the Welfare were quickly back into the game. 1-1 on the 13th Minute.

To continue the crazy start, Easthouses won a penalty only a few minutes later when a ball was played into the box and held up by an Easthouses player. Michael Watt was deemed to have dragged him down and a yellow card and penalty was given. Up stepped experienced NEIL JANCZYK to convert the penalty high into the roof of the net. 2-1 and less than 20 mins on the clock.

The game started to settle down and both teams tried to grapple with the conditions - Lochore were having luck down the left hand side with good link up play between Ethan Anderson and Jude Black. Equally, Easthouses looked dangerous on their left hand side with veteran Louis Swanson showing his creative qualities. After a couple of minutes of sustained Lochore pressure with multiple throw-ins and crosses into the Easthouses box, a poor clearance fell to Ethan Anderson at the edge of the box who toed a shot goal-wards. It looked like it didn't have enough on it to go in but that changed when GREGG PAGE managed to divert it into the back of the net - battling to the ball before it could be cleared.

2-2 at half time and the game wide open. Lochore will have been disappointed with their first half performance but had done enough to stay in the game. With the high winds, it was always going to be a game of two halves.

The second half started with Lochore now playing into the crosswind, but there could be debates about which side was at an advantage due to the wind - playing into was difficult as any long balls and goal kicks would hold up. However playing with it meant any long balls or goal kicks were flying over everyones heads!

Lochore started the second half well, trying to get the ball down and play more. They had obviously been told to try and put their foot on the ball and get it on the deck. For the first 10 mins of the second half Easthouses were relatively pinned back and struggled to get the ball forward to McGachie, their target man. The game took a turn when Easthouses were awarded a drop ball - the referee dropped the ball for Neil Janczyk, who had been the home teams playmaker, however he dallied on the ball and Gregg Page came and stole it off his toes to his surprise. In his attempt to win it back, he fouled Page, who was running towards goal and only 30 yards out. The referee produced Janczyk's second yellow card of the afternoon and it was an early shower for what had been Easthouses most influential player.

The sending off gave Lochore even more impetus to impose themselves on the game and take control. After a couple of chances, one being a cracking shot from Jude Black from 20 yards, Lochore finally got their rewards when newly substituted Sean Cusick was tripped in the box and a penalty given. GREGG PAGE stepped up to slot the penalty down the middle, complete his hattrick and put Lochore 3-2 ahead.

After taking the lead, Lochore pushed on and continued to control the game. There was a chance for Easthouses to equalize when a good through ball was played into the box but a cracking saved was made by Dylan Fleming on his competitive debut. Apart from this chance, Easthouses struggled to create much, limited to long balls that suited the Lochore centre halves.

Lochore made a number of substitutes with new signings Raymond Reddington and Joe Donaldson coming on along with fresh legs in the shape of Ru Allan and Brandon Callaghan. The young, fresh legs were too much for Easthouses as they played round the tiring home defence. Raymond Reddington managed to get on the ball on the right hand side and played a lovely through ball to SEAN CUSICK, who took a good touch and finished past the keeper well.

REDDINGTON got into the action himself when he found himself on the left, unleashing his pace past a defender, into the box and then finishing past the keeper. The young Cowdenbeath loanee didn't take long to get off the mark in Lochore colours and it looks like there will be plenty more to come from him.

In the dying minutes Easthouses pushed players up the park to try and create some resurgence. After almost all Lochore players switched off - thinking the referee had given an offside instead of a free-kick, Easthouses played the free kick into Louis Swanson who managed to win a penalty for the home side. Skipper SHAUN HILL converted the penalty but it felt too little too late for the home side. In the dying minutes Easthouses continued to push forward and commit bodies - and would have clawed another back if it wasn't for a Matty Christie goal line clearance from a corner.

The final whistle went and Lochore could be happy with their second half display, coming out worthy winners against an experience and physical Easthouses team. The win moves the Welfare up to 5th place with 6 points from 4 games and Easthouses down to 9th place. With two home games against first Luncarty and then Tynecastle up next, Lochore will be looking to keep the momentum going.

Lochore Welfare F.C.

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