Burgh Leave It Late In Blantyre

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Burgh came from behind to beat Blantyre 2-1, thanks to goals from Dale Simeon and a late Hamish McKinlay strike.

The afternoon's first chance fell to The Burgh after four minutes, as Ross McKenzie held up Blair Rossiter's throw in, turned and shot across the goal with his left foot, but the ball ran wide of the far post.

Burgh had another good chance three minutes later as Dale Simeon put a teasing ball across the box, but the ball was just a yard too far ahead for Gary McCann, who was back in the starting line-up for the first time since September, following his injury.

Blantyre almost created their first chance of the game with eight minutes on the clock, as Jamie White put a cross into the near post and looked as though Lewis MacDonald would get there before Burgh keeper Marc Waters, but Craig Menzies dived in front of MacDonald to clear the danger.

A minute later, the hosts did create their first chance after referee Robert Thomson dished out the first of many yellow cards in the game as Ross McKenzie was booked for pulling the shirt of the Vics' attacker Nadeem Zeb. The resulting free kick, just inside the Burgh half, was played wide and, after Zeb, Archibald, and Burgh's Jason Naismith all got their heads on the ball, it fell to Zeb who chested the ball and volleyed it towards goal, but Waters made the save.

Burgh's Ally Small had the next chance of the game with Rossiter playing the ball to Small, who turned his defender beautifully and struck a powerful effort from the edge of the box but unfortunately, his effort went over the bar.

The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute. A perfectly-weighted long ball forward over the top was controlled brilliantly by Jamie Bowman. Waters raced out to close him down, but Bowman took it wide then chipped the Burgh keeper. The ball hit the post and Dom Boland, who'd made a terrific effort to get back to try to clear the ball, had no time to react as the ball bounced off the post, hit his right foot and into the net.

Burgh were behind for less than 10 minutes, until Dale Simeon equalised in the 25th minute. Gary McCann intercepted a clearance, played a lovely throughball behind the Blantyre defence, and Simeon ran onto it, and struck it first time across the keeper and into the net at the far post, a goal which puts him in double figures for the season.

It took 20 minutes until we saw another effort at goal from either side. Gary McCann, cutting in from the right, played it to Simeon, who worked it to the left to find Rossiter. Rossiter's shot hit the defender and rebounded to McKenzie, who mis-hit his shot after the ball bobbled just as he went to strike it, and didn't trouble Osiński in the Vics' goal.

Half time: 1-1

Both sides made substitutions at half time. A forced change for the hosts saw them replace their goalkeeper, who was feeling unwell. Meanwhile, Jamie McKim made a tactical change, bringing on Stuart McCann in place of Ally Small.

Both sides had a couple of half chances to start the half, but it took 16 minutes for the first real chance and a shot on target. Rossiter received the ball inside the box and struck it across the goal, but substitute keeper Dylan Orr made the save.

Simeon then made a run and found himself one on one with the home keeper, but the ball bobbled up on the cut-up pitch and ran away from Simeon and into the arms of the advancing Orr.

Midway through the second half, Burgh almost found themselves with a golden opportunity to take the lead. a long ball over the top from Boland was shielded by Vics defender Scott Gibson, anticipating Orr coming to collect. Stuart McCann did brilliantly from behind to win the ball and flick into the the centre of the six yard box. It was then a foot-race between Dylan Orr for The Vics and Rossiter and Simeon for The Burgh. The surface slowed the ball down and allowed Orr to win the race to claim the ball, just ahead of Simeon and Rossiter.

With 10 minutes to play, substitute Hamish McKinlay won the match for the away side. A long clearance forward from Burgh keeper Marc Waters was headed on by Stuart McCann for McKinlay to run on to. One on one with Orr, McKinlay kept his nerve and slotted it coolly into the net at the near post.

The Vics piled on the pressure in added time but were unable to force anything of note. They did shout for a penalty, claiming Graham Dorrans had kicked Zeb in the face, however Robert Thomson deemed there was no contact and waved play on, and Burgh held on to claim the three points.

Full time: 1-2

Goals: Simeon, McKinlay

Starting XI: Waters, Boland, Wallace, Menzies, Naismith (C), McDonald, G McCann, McKenzie, Small, Simeon, Rossiter

Man of the Match: S McCann

It was a game of few chances, and no fewer than 10 bookings, in the South Lanarkshire sunshine. The pitch cut up easily, and proved difficult for both teams to play football and, if there was to be a winner, it was going to a moment of real class or real simplicity to win it. And Burgh's winner had a bit of both - a simple build up with a quality finish.

This results means Burgh move up to 4th, level on points with 3rd place Drumchapel United, who are ahead of us on goal difference but The Drum have played one more game than us.

As always, thank you to all the fans who made the journey to Blantyre, your support is appreciated.

Next week, we return to Keanie Park to host Cambuslang Rangers in the league. Kick off is at 13:30.