Johnstone Burgh secured their place in the second round of the Scottish Cup with a 4-0 win against Threave Rovers.
During the warmups, the away side wore shirts paying tribute to their player Charlie Watson, who tragically passed away in June following a battle with skin cancer. Charlie was just 20 years old when he passed.
After the game started, Burgh were quick out the traps and our early dominance paid off as we took an early lead through Aiden Gilmartin. After Lewis King cut it back to the Burgh striker, Gilmartin took a touch to set himself before firing it into the net from about 12 yards.
Following the early spell on top, the visitors grew into the game. Both sides had some great chances to get the game's vital second goal but neither side could find it before half time.
The second half started the same as the first, with Burgh on top and creating a few good chances before Threave Rovers grew back into the game.
Burgh then killed off the game in the final 15 minutes. First, Ian McShane hit a first time strike from 20 yards and curled it beautifully into the bottom corner. Then, with seven minutes to play, Allan McKenzie's ball across the face of goal found Max Kerr at the back post. From an incredibly acute angle, Kerr hit it back across the goal and Threave keeper Louis McLachlan could only bundle it into his own net as he attempted to claw it away from goal.
And in the 93rd minute, Del Esplin scored the goal of the match as he entered his name into the goal of the season competition. After receiving the ball about 25 yards out, he struck it into the top corner, skimming the under side of the bar as it flew in, giving the visiting keeper no chance.
Half Time: 1-0
Full Time: 4-0
Goals: Gilmartin 6, McShane 76, OG 83, Esplin 90+3
Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Forrester, O'Neill, Esplin (C), M Kerr (S Kerr 87), Faulds (Murphy 84), Gilmartin (MacKenzie 73), McShane (Smith 87), Rossiter (Christie 73)
Man Of The Match: McShane
Thank you to all those who braved the weather for your support. Next week we return to league action when we'll host league leaders Auchinleck Talbot. Kick off 2pm.
