Johnstone Burgh and Celtic B both played out a hard fought draw in this afternoon's Lowland League West match, which ended 1-1 at The Albert Bartlett Stadium, Airdrie.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made four changes from the starting XI that played in the 2-0 win over Troon at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Out went Lewis King, Stuart Faulds, Malky McDonald and Thomas Orr, and in came Scott Williamson, Calvin McGrory, Broque Watson and Kyle Lafferty.
Celtic B made a flying start to the match as they took the lead in the 2nd minute. Rhys Dargie played a quick pass to Francis Turley on the right hand side of the box, and he made no mistake as he fired a right foot shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 12 yards.
The home side were well on top and went on to create another good chance in the 22nd minute. Michael Charlton picked the ball up on the halfway line before going on a driving run towards goal, but his right foot shot from 25 yards went just wide of the left hand post.
Celtic B continued to look dangerous and had yet another good chance in the 30th minute. Conor Daly did well to create himself an opening on the right hand side of the box, but his right foot shot from 10 yards went over the crossbar.
The young Celtic B side once again had a chance to double their lead in the 35th minute. Emmanuel Obidiwe showed good skill just outside the box to create himself some space, but his right foot shot from 18 yards via a deflection was saved by Johnstone Burgh goalkeeper Brett Long.
Johnstone Burgh had a fairly low key first half, but that all changed in the 36th minute as they levelled the score. Kris Kerr passed the ball to Stuart Faulds just inside the box, and the former Largs Thistle captain produced a sensational left foot curling finish into the top left hand corner of the net from 17 yards.
Celtic B had the final chance of the first half in the 2nd minute of added time, from a direct free kick 22 yards from goal. Up stepped Rhys Dargie, but his low left foot shot was saved by Brett Long.
The teams went in level at the half time break.
Half time: 1-1
The Burgh had the first chance of the second half from a direct free kick 22 yards from goal in the 51st minute. Up stepped Kyle Lafferty whose right foot shot was blocked by the Celtic B wall. The ball broke back to him but his first time right foot shot went wide of the right hand post.
Celtic B had the next chance to score in the 52nd minute as the dangerous Emmanuel Obidiwe found himself with some space, but his right foot shot from 18 yards was deflected wide of the left hand post. Just four minutes later the home side came even closer to retaking the lead after a fine pass from Conor Daly found Emmanuel Obidiwe, but his left foot shot from 12 yards was well saved by Brett Long.
On the hour mark Johnstone Burgh had a great chance to take the lead as Stuart Faulds made a brilliant run onto the right hand side of the box before putting a ball across the face of goal which found Kyle Lafferty, but the former Rangers striker's right foot shot from 6 yards was brilliantly saved by Celtic B goalkeeper Corey Shaw.
The Burgh were the better team in the second half and went on to create the next good chance of the game in the 66th minute. Aaron Mason collected the ball on the left wing before driving into the box at pace, but his right foot shot from 16 yards was well saved by Corey Shaw.
Celtic B were still looking to be a huge threat and had a great chance to take the lead again in the 73rd minute. The ball found Conor Daly just 6 yards from goal, but his right foot shot was brilliantly kept out by Brett Long. Just four minutes later Daly came close to scoring again, but his left foot shot from 16 yards was once again well saved by Long.
In the 79th minute, Johnstone Burgh were reduced to 10 men. Following a routine foul by Aaron Mason, he was then given a second yellow card for dissent and his match was over.
The final clear cut chance of the match came for Celtic B in the 82nd minute. The ball fell to the Celtic B captain Liam Kennedy but his right foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Brett Long. The remaining 8 minutes of regulation time and 6 minutes added time would see Celtic B pin Johnstone Burgh in their own half, as they faced wave after wave of attack, but the Keanie Park side showed grit and determination to hold on for a well deserved point.
Following today's result, Johnstone Burgh remain in 8th place in the table, on 4 points after 2 games played.
Full time: 1-1
Johnstone Burgh goal: Faulds 36
Man Of The Match: Stuart Faulds
Celtic B goal: Turley 2
Johnstone Burgh FC: Long, Williamson (Faulds 30), Gilday, Barrowman, Durnan(C), McGrory, K.Kerr (Esplin 69), Watson, Lafferty (Orr 69), McShane (Forrester 88), Mason.
Unused subs: Hargreaves(GK), M.Kerr, Murphy
Celtic B FC: Shaw, Dembele (Keenan 69), Haney, Charlton (English 37), Sedwell, Kennedy(C), Dargie, Turley, Clearie, Daly (Watt 84), Obidiwe (Meechan 69).
Unused subs: Lyall(GK), Anderson, Forrester
Referee: Thomas Denholm
Assistant Referee 1: Thomas Sutherland
Assistant Referee 2: Jon-Paul McGovern
A big thank you to all the Johnstone Burgh supporters who made the journey through to Airdrie today to support the team in our first ever Lowland League West away match.
Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Albion Rovers FC at Keanie Park in the Lowland League West on Saturday 8th August. Kick off is at 3pm
#MonTheBurgh - Report by John Armour.
