Burgh Dominate Nicky Docherty Testimonial Stalemate

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Burgh ended their pre season campaign with a goalless draw at Bellsdale Park against WOSFL Premier Division champions Beith Juniors.

The teams entered the pitch and formed a guard of honour for former Beith left back Nicky Docherty, who was playing today in his testimonial. Burgh started with intent and created the first chance of the game after just 5 minutes. New signing Dylan Fletcher chased a long ball but unfortunately for him, the keeper was quick to race out of his box and narrowly beat Fletcher to the ball to clear it away.

Burgh debutant keeper Kenzie Smyth was called into action to make a comfortable save as the Beith attacker struck a tame shot straight at him.

Burgh continued to press with Ross McKenzie having his shot blocked by Docherty and deflected out for a corner. The visitors were still on top but couldn't create any real chances.

Beith has a spell of pressure midway through the first half and came close to opening the scoring with a long range effort, which Smyth excellently tipped over the bar for a Beith corner.

Burgh got through that spell of pressure unscathed and got back on top, again coming close with Jojo Gillespite putting just wide on two occaisions. Just before half time, a teasing ball into the box eluded Gillespie but it didn't elude Fletcher, who lunged to get a toe on it but failed to hit the target.

Half time: 0-0

Burgh could've felt hard done by not to be leading at half time, but took a little while to get going in the second half with the first period of the second half being played mostly in midfield.

The game really sparked into life with about 20 minutes to play, in a period which saw the Burgh do everything but score. First, Dale Simeon was through 1 on 1 with the keeper, who did well to get down and save Simeon's shot but only pushed it into the path of Brophy who slotted it into the empty net. Burgh's celebrations were cut short though by the linesman's flag who, controversially, signalled that Brophy was offside (where's VAR when you need it?).

That incident awoke the beast inside Burgh, who stepped it up a gear or two and looked destined to win the match. Cammy Crooks's cross went beyond everybody and bounced off the top of the bar and back into play. The Beith number 12 failed to get any distance on his clearance and it fell straight to Del Esplin, who passed it to Simeon, who then smahed an effort from 25 yards off the post. A defence-splitting pass had Brophy 1 on 1 but his shot, with his weaker foot, was straight at the keeper. Dorrans and Crooks both had efforts from outside the box just wide of the keeper's left hand post.

With less than 5 minutes to play, Beith looked as though they could snatch an unlikely winner as the Burgh keeper made two routine saves in quick succession, although Beith would feel frustrated that they didn't test the keeper more with those efforts.

Burgh had a penalty shout turned down as Gary McCann chased a long ball over the top and was clattered by the keeper in his attempts to gather the ball. The final chance of the game came from Dale Simeon who, like Cammy Crooks, hit a cross beyond everybody and saw it hit the top of the bar and bounce back into play.

Full time: 0-0

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