Johnstone Burgh suffered a frustrating 3-0 defeat to an in form Cumnock Juniors side at Townhead Park, Cumnock.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon named the same starting XI that started against Glenafton Athletic, in the 0-0 draw at Keanie Park on Saturday.

The Burgh made a good start and came close to an early goal from Darren Christie in the 3rd minute. Kyle Lafferty flicked the ball on to Broque Watson who then found Christie with a crisp pass, but his right foot shot from just inside the box flew just over the crossbar.

Cumnock Juniors' first attempt at goal came in the 14th minute. Andrew McDonald found himself some space around 40 yards from goal, and tried an ambitious left foot shot that went just over the crossbar. Just 3 minutes later Cumnock would have another chance, but Jamie Conn dragged his left foot shot, from just outside the box, wide of the right hand post.

"The Nock" took the lead in the 18th minute. Luke Scullion played the ball out to the left hand side, but a misunderstanding in the Burgh defence and midfield led to Jamie Conn getting to the ball first before making a fine run, and then executing a crisp low pass into the box that found Thomas Orr, who took the ball around Scullion, before finding the back of the net 4 yards from goal.

Johnstone Burgh's next chance of the game came in the 21st minute. Blair Rossiter stepped up to take a direct free kick, 25 yards from goal, but his left foot shot which was heading to the bottom left hand corner was well saved by Blair Currie.

Cumnock were next to threaten in the 29th minute. Jack Lavery found some space in the middle of the park, before hitting a right foot shot from 30 yards which was easily saved by Luke Scullion.

The recently crowned South Region Challenge Cup winners didn't wait long for goal number 2, which came in the 32nd minute. Oliver Fisher played a long through ball up to Jamie Conn, who won the the duel with Kian Gilday, before he ran in on goal, then fired a right foot shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 6 yards.

The final chance of the half came for the Burgh in the 35th minute. Broque Watson created himself an opening on the left hand side of the box, but his right foot shot from 16 yards went high and wide of Blair Currie's goal.

Cumnock Juniors went into the half time break two goals to the good.

Half time: 2-0

Johnstone Burgh made two changes at half time. Lewis King replaced Kian Gilday and Aaron Mason came on for Blair Rossiter.

Cumnock almost got their third goal of the evening in the 46th minute. Adam Forde whipped in a brilliant corner kick from the right hand side which came crashing off the crossbar and bounced to safety.

The home side made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute. From just outside his own box, Cammy Chalmers launched the ball up the park, which caused mayhem in the centre of the Burgh defence. Thomas Orr was quickest to react and nipped in to nick the ball ahead of Luke Scullion, who was about 18 yards outside his box, to leave himself an open goal to aim at and he made no mistake as he stroked the ball into the net from 18 yards with his left foot.

On the one hour mark things were about to go from bad to worse for Johnstone Burgh. Aaron Mason appeared to raise a hand in the direction of Oliver Fisher in an off the ball incident down at the corner flag. The referee showed no hesitation, and flashed a straight red card to the former Auchinleck Talbot man, much to the delight of the home crowd and the despair of the away support.

In the 71st minute, Corey O'Donnell had a good chance to make it number 4 for "The Nock" but his right foot shot from 14 yards was well saved by Luke Scullion.

Cumnock Juniors were in cruise control and could have effortlessly made it 4-0 in the 79th minute. Corey O'Donnell ran on to a punt up the park from Blair Currie, to leave himself one-on-one with Scullion, but his right foot shot from 8 yards lacked power and was easily saved.

Johnstone Burgh's best move of the match came in the 86th minute. Aiden Gilmartin showed some brilliant pace and power down the left wing and then produced a great pass to find Broque Watson in the box, but the former Tranent man's left foot shot, from 7 yards was superbly saved by Blair Currie.

In the 87th minute, Cumnock would have their final chance of the match. Dylan Dykes played a one-two with Corey O'Donnell to create himself a good opening, but his right foot shot from 25 yards went just over the crossbar.

Ian McShane had one final chance to pull a goal back for the Burgh via a direct free kick from around 28 yards in the 90th minute, but his right foot shot was easily saved by Currie.

Cumnock Juniors saw out the 2 minutes of added time, to seal a comprehensive 3-0 win.

After tonight's defeat, Johnstone Burgh remain in 6th place in the table on 37 points, after 21 games played.

Full time: 3-0

Cumnock Juniors goals: Orr 18+52, Conn 32

Man of the match: Ian McShane

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant, Gilday (King 46), McDonald, Forrester, McShane, Christie (Faulds 63), Esplin (C), Lafferty (Gilmartin 63), Rossiter (Mason 46), Watson

As usual, a big thank you to the Johnstone Burgh fans who made the journey to Townhead Park, Cumnock to support the team tonight.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to the Hamish B. Allan Stadium, Rutherglen, to face Rutherglen Glencairn in the WoSFL Premier Division on Saturday 11th April. Kick off is at 2pm

©Match Report: John
©Images: Mitch, Iain, Graham