Johnstone Burgh cruised into the 5th round of The Scottish Communities Cup, with a dominant 2-0 win over Renfrew at a cold, wet and windy Keanie Park.
The Burgh had the first chance of the match, as captain Danny O'Neill fired wide of the left hand post 30 yards from goal. Renfrew had the best chance of the game in the 16th minute, but the header was glanced just wide of the left hand post following a fantastic cross.
The Johnstone side then had three attempts from long range on goal in a five minute spell midway through the first half, but the efforts from Blair Rossiter, Kyle Lafferty and Darren Christie were well off target and failed to trouble Renfrew goalkeeper Danny McLeay.
The Burgh's best chance of the match would come in the 28th minute as the ball landed at the feet of Ian McShane 10 yards from goal, but he failed to control the ball following a superb cross from Aaron Mason. 10 minutes from half time, the Burgh would come close again, but Blair Rossiter's fine cross had no takers as the ball drifted out of play.
The biggest moment of the match so far came in the 38th minute, as Renfrew goalkeeper Danny McLeay brought down Kyle Lafferty on the six yard line to give the home side the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Up stepped "The Johnstone Pirlo", Blair Rossiter, who fired home brilliantly from 12 yards, low into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give Johnstone Burgh the lead in the 39th minute.
As half time approached, the Burgh ramped up the pressure in the search for a second goal. In the 41st minute, Kyle Lafferty's shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide for a corner kick. Just two minutes later, Cammy Eadie headed the ball just over the bar following a dangerous corner kick from playmaker McShane.
The cup holders continued to push for that second goal before the break, and again came close as Kian Gilday produced some great control in the box to create himself a chance, but his effort from 10 yards was brilliantly saved by McLeay. Darren Christie had the final chance of the first half, but his well struck shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the left hand post.
Half Time: 1-0
The second half started slowly, but in the 52nd minute it was Renfrew who would come close to scoring, as a well struck shot from 22 yards was well saved by Burgh goalkeeper Luke Scullion. Just a minute later, Burgh captain Danny O'Neill had a half chance, but headed over from 10 yards following an Ian McShane corner.
The Burgh would score a well deserved second goal in the 61st minute, as Kyle Lafferty showed great composure in the box before firing home into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 10 yards, to put the Keanie Park side into cruise control.
Blair Rossiter came close to adding a third goal for the Burgh in the 63rd minute, but his effort from the edge of the box was deflected just wide of the right hand post. Renfrew had a chance to pull a goal back in the 67th minute from a free kick 22 yards from goal, but it was deflected wide of the left hand post.
Renfrew's best chance of the match came in the 71st minute, but a fine strike from the edge of the box sailed just wide of the left hand post. Just a minute later it looked certain that Johnstone Burgh would score their third goal of the afternoon through Ian McShane, but his powerful strike from 16 yards was brilliantly saved by McLeay.
With time running out for Renfrew, they had two good chances to score in the 78th and 79th minutes. Firstly, a shot from 18 yards that looked in but grazed the top right hand side of the post, then secondly, a shot from 8 yards which was fired across goal but ultimately off target, much to the relief of the home support.
As the game entered the last final few minutes, Aaron Mason came close to adding a third goal for the home side but his header from 10 yards was well saved by the impressive McLeay. The final chance of the match came for Renfrew, but it was headed just over the bar from six yards in the 90th minute. Johnstone Burgh would see out the three minutes of added time to secure a 2-0 victory and their place in the 5th round where they will face Dundee Violet at Glenesk Park, Dundee.
Full Time: 2-0
Goals: Rossiter 39(pen), Lafferty 61
Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill (C), Faulds, Christie, McShane (Esplin 75), Lafferty (Gilmartin 81), Rossiter (McDonald 81), Mason
Man Of The Match: Blair Rossiter
Once again, a big thank you to supporters of both teams who attended today's match that was played in terrible weather conditions. A final thank you to the ground staff and volunteers who worked very hard all week to ensure today's match went ahead. Their work is appreciated by all.
© Match Report: John Armour
© Images: Mitch, Graham, Iain
