Johnstone Burgh continued their fine home form, with a convincing 4-0 win over Dalbeattie Star in this afternoon's Scottish Lowland League West match at Keanie Park, Johnstone.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made just one change from the starting XI that played in the 3-2 win over Newton Stewart at Keanie Park last Saturday (22nd August). In came Leon Murphy to replace Kian Gilday at left back.
The home side made a good start to the match, and had two chances in the 6th minute that both fell to Mark Barrowman. Firstly, from an Ian McShane in-swinging corner kick from the left. The Burgh number 4 had a powerful header from 6 yards brilliantly saved by Dalbeattie Star goalkeeper Michael McIlvaney. Seconds later Mark Durnan headed the ball to Barrowman, but his left foot volley from 6 yards went just wide of the left hand post.
Dalbeattie Star were next to threaten in the 7th minute when Mark Barrowman's poor clearance fell to club captain Kyle Higgins, but his right foot shot from 16 yards went wide of the left hand post via a deflection off Barrowman.
The Burgh had a chance to take the lead in the 10th minute as Aaron Mason had a clear sight of goal from 20 yards, but his low, right foot shot was saved by McIlvaney. In the 12th minute, the home side created another opening when Ian McShane's free kick from the right found Mark Durnan at the back post, but his header from 6 yards went over the crossbar.
"The Star" had a great chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when Kylan Hunter's brilliant low, right foot cross from the right found Reece Paterson, but with the goal at his mercy, he fired his first time right foot shot wide of the right hand post from 6 yards.
Johnstone Burgh were next to have a chance to take the lead in the 21st minute. From Ian McShane's free kick on the right, he found Mark Barrowman, who then headed the ball to Thomas Orr, but Orr's first time right foot shot on the bounce, from 14 yards, went wide of the right hand post.
The game would take a dramatic turn in the 31st minute as the Burgh were reduced to 10 men. Following a long punt up the park from Brett Long, Thomas Orr challenged for the ball, but appeared to put his elbow into the head of Dylan Woods, and Referee Chris McLaughlin showed no hesitation in showing a straight red card to the former Cumnock Juniors man.
The home side once again had a chance to take the lead in the 39th minute as Ian McShane went on a driving run into the box before firing a low left foot shot from 12 yards that was saved by McIlvaney at his near post.
Dalbeattie Star had the final chance of the first half in the 43rd minute. Deryn McConnell's left foot shot from 17 yards was deflected off Mark Durnan into the arms of Brett Long. The first half ended goaless.
Half time: 0-0
With the second half underway, the away side had a good chance to take the lead in the 49th minute. Kylan Hunter showed brilliant skill on the right hand side, before squaring the ball to Gravine Kalala, but his right foot shot from 6 yards was well blocked by Mark Barrowman.
Dalbeattie Star were playing well and again came close to scoring in the 58th minute. Kyle Higgins went on a driving run towards goal before firing a powerful right foot shot from 25 yards that went just wide of the left hand post, via a crucial deflection off Johnstone Burgh captain Del Esplin.
In the 66th minute, the Burgh had a half chance to take the lead when Aaron Mason created himself an opening from around 20 yards, but his left foot shot was saved by Michael McIlvaney.
Johnstone Burgh finally opened the scoring in the 69th minute as Aaron Mason's fine pass released Leon Murphy on the left wing, before firing a brilliant left foot cross to find Kristopher Kerr in the box, who then produced a superb first touch before firing a clinical low left foot shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 10 yards, to send the home support wild.
The home side had their tails up and went on to double their lead in the 80th minute when Ian McShane passed to Aaron Mason, who then produced a first time defence splitting pass back to McShane, who then made no mistake as he calmley stroked a lovely right foot shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 6 yards.
The Burgh were flying now and made it goal number three with a fine team goal in the 81st minute. Kristopher Kerr's clever pass released Aaron Mason down the left wing, who then flashed a brilliant ball across the face of goal, which then received the slightest of touches off Kristopher Kerr and went straight into the path of Max Kerr, who was on hand to stroke the ball into the net with his left foot from 5 yards.
A fine afternoon was complete for Johnstone Burgh as they scored their fourth goal with the final kick of the match in the third and final minute of added time. Ian McShane's superb pass released Max Kerr with plenty of space down the right hand side, before he found Broque Watson who had made a late run into the box. The former Tranent man produced a fine low right foot finish into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 10 yards. The referee blew for full time seconds later to confirm the 3 points and a fine 4-0 victory for the Burgh.
Following today's result, Johnstone Burgh move up one place to 8th in the table, on 11 points after 6 matches played.
Full time: 4-0
Johnstone Burgh FC goals: K.Kerr 69, McShane 80, M.Kerr 81, Watson 90+3
Man Of The Match: TBC
Johnstone Burgh FC: Long, Williamson (Faulds 59), Murphy, Barrowman, Durnan (Forrester 63), Esplin(C) (K.Kerr 59), Watson, McDonald (M.Kerr 59), Orr, McShane, Mason.
Unused subs: Scullion(GK), Nosa, King.
Dalbeattie Star FC: McIlvaney, Muir, Suleyman (Downie 75), Higgins(C), Harkness, D.Taylor, Hunter, McConnell (Wan 82), Paterson, Woods, Kalala (Oguama 71).
Unused subs: Mitchell(GK), Barney, Shaw, R.Taylor.
Match Officials -
Referee: Chris McLaughlin
Assistant Referee 1: Adam Cairns
Assistant Referee 2: Jamie Porritt
A big thank you to the supporters of both Johnstone Burgh and Dalbeattie Star for attending today's match at Keanie Park. We wish our visitors from Dalbeattie a safe journey home. A final mention for our special guests today, A Dad his Lad and his Lad who both attended their first match at Keanie Park this afternoon. We hope you both had a wonderful time, and we hope to see you back at the home of Johnstone Burgh very soon.
Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to McKenna Park in Glasgow to face St Anthony's FC in the 2nd round of The South Region Challenge Cup on Saturday 5th September. Kick off is at 2pm.
#MonTheBurgh
By John Armour
