Match Report: Tranent 2-3 Ratho Athletic

Stephen Fruzynski Photography

Match Report: Tranent 2-3 Ratho Athletic

Ratho Athletic kicked off 2025 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory away to Tranent in the LEAFA Premiership.

Starting XI

GK: Danny

Defence: Ryan, Dean, Adam, Kye

Midfield: Liam, Cheggs, Aitken, Chris, Sean

Forward: Mabon

Ratho started the match brightly, immediately taking the game to Tranent. Aitken came close to opening the scoring early on, rattling the woodwork. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute after a slick passage of play. Mabon showed great awareness to lay the ball off to Aitken, who calmly slotted home to make it 1-0.

Tranent responded with pressure of their own, proving a threat from set pieces, but Ratho’s defence held firm. Danny commanded his area well, and the backline stayed resolute. The lead was doubled in the 30th minute when Sean Higgins finished clinically after a well-worked move. Ratho carried their dominance into the break, leading 2-0.

Second Half

The second half saw a momentum shift as Ratho struggled to maintain their intensity. Tranent capitalised, pulling a goal back in the 63rd minute before equalising just three minutes later. At 2-2, the match hung in the balance.

Manager Bradley Crane reacted decisively, introducing Ally McRitchie and James Higgins to steady the ship. Ratho regained some control, with Liam Gallacher going agonisingly close, only to be denied by a superb save from the Tranent keeper. Danny then produced a moment of brilliance at the other end, keeping the score level with an outstanding 1-on-1 save.

As the clock ticked down, Bradley made two further substitutions, bringing on Scott Henney and Dave Whelan. In the 85th minute, Whelan delivered the game’s decisive moment—a thunderous 30-yard strike that flew into the top corner, leaving the Tranent keeper rooted to the spot.

The final minutes, including injury time, were tense as Tranent pushed for another equaliser, but Ratho held firm to secure all three points.

Full-Time: Tranent 2-3 Ratho Athletic

This victory sees Ratho create a gap to Tranent, who remain in the bottom three. More importantly, it marks the start of 2025 with renewed momentum as the team looks to climb the table and close the gap on those above.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our push up the LEAFA Premiership!