Circuit Event 3 Cairneyhill

Dave Butler failed in his attempt to go clear at the top of the National League. After Sunday’s event he finds himself in second place, two points behind Steve Bennett. The day started well for Butler with two crushing defeats of Willie Fleming (4-0) and Malcolm Lees (8-2). In round 3, however, he lost 2-0 to Gareth Christie who went on to win the tournament. In round 4 Butler faced Steve Bennett, knowing that a win would take him top. Bennett won 1-0. Thus Butler let go two opportunities to establish himself as number one in Scotland. Did Butler get his tactics wrong in these crucial games? Does he approach games against the top two in a different way? He did no better than Dave Gladman against Gareth Christie and no better than Tom Burns against Steve Bennett.

Willie Fleming recovered from his first round defeat with a win and two draws which means he moves into 4th position in the League. Tom Burns lost 1-0 to Steve Bennett and  disappointingly could only draw his three remaining matches. He now lies 5th in the table. Dave Gladman was unfortunate to play both Christie and Bennett but he had a win and draw in his other matches to finish 6th putting him 8th in the League. Like Burns, Colin Day also had 3 draws and a defeat but finished above his club-mate by virtue of number of goals scored. Day is now 9th in the League.

It was a somewhat disappointing day for Zoltan Hegedus in Division Two. A defeat to Scott Fleming might have been expected but two draws in matches where he could not convert opportunities into goals cost him runner-up spot. A third place tournament finish now puts him 6th in Division Two.