EKFC 09s Gold Dominate Linlithgow Rose Maroon 9-0 Away

EKFC 09s Gold travelled to Xcite Linlithgow on 15 November 2025 for an 11:00am kick-off in a league away fixture against Linlithgow Rose Maroon. The visitors produced a commanding performance to secure a resounding 9-0 victory over their opponents, leaving no doubt as to their superiority on the day.

The team lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, designed to provide defensive solidity with a single holding midfielder shielding the back four, while allowing four attacking midfielders to support a lone striker up front. Ross McNab took his place in goal, protected by a defensive line of Steve Graham at right back, Matthew Henderson and Andrew Hall as central defenders, and Mark McGuiness on the left. Kenneth Traynor operated as the central midfielder just ahead of the defence, tasked with breaking up play and distributing the ball forward. Ahead of him, Jay Ralston occupied the right attacking midfield role, Alfie Hall and Daniel Friel played centrally in attacking midfield positions, and Josh Gales took up the left attacking midfield berth. Leading the line was striker Callum Kerr, expected to finish off chances created by the midfield quartet. The substitutes named were Shay Christie, Stephen Orr, and David Jackson.

The match began with EKFC 09s Gold asserting control, but it was not until the 32nd minute that the first notable incident occurred when Daniel Friel was shown a yellow card for dissent. This momentary lapse did not deter the visitors, who responded immediately. Just a minute later, Friel provided a short pass assist to Jay Ralston, who unleashed a precise right-footed strike from outside the box to open the scoring. The goal set the tone for the remainder of the half.

At the 40th minute, Jay Ralston had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot but was denied as his effort was saved. However, EKFC 09s Gold quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Callum Kerr delivered a short pass to Josh Gales, who calmly finished inside the box with his left foot. Three minutes later, Gales struck again, this time heading in a cross from Ralston to make it 3-0. The visitors dominated proceedings and continued to press, with the half closing at 3-0 in their favour.

The second half began with no respite for Linlithgow Rose Maroon as Callum Kerr tapped in a close-range finish from a short pass by Gales in the 47th minute. The visitors’ attacking threat remained relentless, and at the 55th minute, Gales completed his hat-trick with a close-range header from another cross by Ralston. Shortly after this, tactical substitutions were made in quick succession at the 56th minute, with Shay Christie replacing Gales, Stephen Orr coming on for Alfie Hall, and David Jackson taking over from Kenneth Traynor.

The changes did not slow EKFC 09s Gold’s momentum. Stephen Orr marked his introduction by scoring a close-range tap-in from a pass by Daniel Friel in the 64th minute. Steve Graham then produced a moment of individual brilliance, scoring a solo goal with a left-footed strike in the 70th minute. However, the visitors’ discipline wavered slightly when David Jackson received a yellow card for dissent two minutes later.

Daniel Friel added to the tally with a powerful long-range strike from outside the box in the 77th minute, showcasing his shooting prowess. The scoring spree continued as Callum Kerr netted his second goal of the match in the 80th minute, finishing inside the box from a short pass by Steve Graham. The game concluded with EKFC 09s Gold emphatically victorious, having scored nine unanswered goals.

Josh Gales was deservedly named player of the match after his outstanding contribution of three goals and assist, proving pivotal in EKFC 09s Gold’s dominant display. The team’s fluid attacking play, combined with a disciplined defensive structure, ensured a comprehensive triumph on the road.