Johnstone Burgh suffered a 3-1 defeat to an in-form Clydebank in this afternoon’s Scottish Lowland Football League West match at Keanie Park, Johnstone.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell named the same starting XI that defeated Formartine United 1-0 in the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Round Two tie at Keanie Park last Saturday, 31st October.
Clydebank made the perfect start as they opened the scoring in the third minute of the match. Neil McLaughlin capitalised on a loose ball in midfield by playing the ball to former Johnstone Burgh man Blair Rossiter, who then ran into the box and fired a low right-foot shot in off the left-hand post from ten yards.
The Bankies came flying out of the traps and had a great chance to double their lead in the seventh minute when Chris McGowan’s long ball over the top released Keir Samson into plenty of space down the left-hand side. He then ran into the box and put the ball on a plate for Blair Rossiter, but his first-time right-foot shot from eight yards was superbly saved by Brett Long.
The away side had another chance to score in the 11th minute as Blair Rossiter created some space for himself just inside the right-hand side of the box, but his left-foot shot from 16 yards was well saved by Brett Long.
It was one-way traffic and once again Clydebank threatened to score in the 13th minute as Nicky Low’s brilliant lay-off found Neil McLaughlin, but his powerful left-foot volley from just outside the box was saved by Long.
The Bankies were in complete control despite having a few shots off target in the following 15 minutes of the match. They then came close to adding to their lead in the 28th minute when Neil McLaughlin made a driving run towards goal before firing a low right-foot shot from the edge of the box, but the ball was once again well saved by Burgh goalkeeper Long.
In the 35th minute, the away side had yet another great chance to add to their lead as Nicky Low ran through on goal and looked certain to score, but Adam Livingstone did well to get back and block his left-foot shot from around ten yards.
Clydebank finally doubled their lead in the 37th minute of the match when Keir Samson guided the ball into the path of Neil McLaughlin, who then ran towards goal before firing a low right-foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from 20 yards.
It was a first half to forget for Johnstone Burgh, but they had a half-chance to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Kristopher Kerr showed some nice footwork to create an opening for himself, but his left-foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Andy Leishman to ensure Clydebank would lead 2-0 at the break.
Half-time: 0-2
Clydebank continued to look for their third goal of the afternoon and came close to doing just that five minutes into the second half as Blair Rossiter’s corner kick from the left found Scott Forrester, but the former Johnstone Burgh man’s powerful header from eight yards was superbly saved by Brett Long.
The Bankies got their third goal in the 59th minute of the match when Neil McLaughlin ran into the box. He was then tackled by Scott Williamson before the ball broke to Nicky Low, who fired a low left-foot shot into the right-hand corner of the net from eight yards.
The away side were in control and had the next chance to score in the 66th minute. Neil McLaughlin knocked the ball into the path of Dean Cairns, but his right-foot shot from 18 yards went wide of the left-hand post.
Johnstone Burgh had a chance to pull a goal back in the 73rd minute as Lewis King’s long ball from deep inside his own half found Scott Williamson in the box, but his right-foot shot was saved by Leishman.
The home side had the next chance to score in the 76th minute when the ball broke to Broque Watson at the edge of the box, but his first-time right-foot shot went just wide of the right-hand post.
The Burgh had battled well in the second half and went on to score a consolation goal in the 85th minute of the match. Mark Barrowman’s long-range pass found Aaron Mason, who superbly brought the ball under control before showing some brilliant skill to dribble past two Clydebank defenders, then firing a low right-foot shot into the left-hand corner of the net from 16 yards.
There were no further chances of note and Clydebank ran out 3-1 winners.
Following today’s result, Johnstone Burgh drop to 10th place in the table, on 19 points after 12 matches played.
Full-time: 1-3
Johnstone Burgh FC goal: Aaron Mason 85.
Clydebank FC goals: Blair Rossiter 3, Neil McLaughlin 37, Nicky Low 59.
Man of the match: Brett Long.
Johnstone Burgh FC: Long, Faulds, Livingstone, Barrowman, King, Esplin (C) (Williamson 46), M. Kerr (McKay 65), Watson, Jamieson (Mason 46), McShane (Murphy 65), K. Kerr (Orr 65).
Unused subs: Scullion (GK), Eadie.
Clydebank FC: Leishman, Grant, McHugh (C), Niven, Forrester, Low (Jack 80), McGowan (Docherty 74), Cairns, Rossiter, Samson (Mulcahy 80), McLaughlin (Dolan 74).
Unused subs: Stott (GK), Callaghan, Hunter.
Referee: Yaser Razouk.
Assistant referee 1: Matthew McAlpine.
Assistant referee 2: Euan Taylor.
We would like to thank the supporters of both Johnstone Burgh and our visitors, Clydebank, who attended today’s match at Keanie Park.
Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to Castle Douglas to face Threave Rovers at Meadow Park in the fourth round of the South Region Challenge Cup on Saturday 14th November. Kick-off is at 2pm.
#MonTheBurgh
By John Armour
Photos: Iain Rankin & Graham Morgan
