Burgh Dumped Out Of South Challenge Cup

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Johnstone Burgh returned to Keanie Park today for the first time since 16 December 2023, and the return was not a happy one. Burgh suffered their first home defeat in almost five months as they were knocked out of the South Challenge Cup, losing 2-1 against WOSFL third division side Threave Rovers.

The afternoon started with a minute's applause for Ian Sievwright, who recently passed away following a battle with cancer. Ian was a Burgh fan, and has also previously sponsored the club. Our thoughts are with Ian's family and friends.  

There were two changes for The Burgh as Stuart Fyfe and Jason Naismith came into the starting XI.

Burgh had the first chance of the afternoon, with Dale Simeon stinging the palms of Threave keeper Graham Wright.

On 12 minutes, the visitors had their first chance of the game when they were awarded free kick from about 28 yards out. Dylan Cairnie struck it beautifully over the wall, leaving Burgh keeper Harry Broun stranded as it flew into the net.

Two minutes later, they had a chance to double their lead. After a succession of corners, which Burgh struggled to clear, the ball fell to Danny Dunglinson but he got too much underneath his effort and blazed it over the bar.

A minute later, Burgh went in search of an equaliser, with Ross McKenzie playing a nice one-two with Stuart McCann and McKenzie tried to place the ball into the bottom corner at the near post, but Wright read it and made the save.

Burgh were starting to dominate possession but failed to really create anything, until the 24th minute. The home side successfully defended a Rovers counter attack and McKenzie launched it long, over the top from the edge of his own box and Stuart McCann ran onto it, finding himself one on one with Wright. McCann kept his composure and slotted beyond the advancing keeper at the far post.

The rest of the half was played out in much the same way, with the home team well on top in terms of possession, but struggled to break down the visitors.

Half time: 1-1

10 minutes into the second half, Threave threatened to retake the lead. A corner swung into the box was headed goalward, and Broun had to be alert to keep the scores level.

Five minutes later, Burgh had their own chance to take the lead from a corner, as Simeon's inswinging corner was met by the head of Stuart Fyfe, who kept his header down but Wright was equal to it and made the save.

On 61 minutes, Brophy drove a powerful effort at goal, but Wright got down to keep it all square.

Three minutes later, a Gary McCann cross from the right looked like it might deceive Graham Wright and drop into the net but Wright remained alert and gathered the ball.

With 25 minutes to play, Gary McCann crossed it into the box, and found Hamish McKinlay. He let it bounce and struck it on the half volley but only managed to smash it into his own player and Threave cleared the danger.

Following this, the game became more end to end as Threave went in search of a late winner, but struggled to create chances with their attacks.

On 73 minutes, McKinlay's long range strike was parried by Wright. Brophy then raced onto the loose ball, poked it beyond Wright and went down under contact. Burgh appealed for a penalty, however, the linesman raised his flag to call Brophy offside.

The 78th minute saw the match-winning goal as Threave were awarded a free kick about 25 yards from the Burgh goal. Cairnie, again, stepped up and curled it into the net. Broun was sent scrambling across his goal but the ball was placed perfectly into the bottom corner.

In the 89th minute, Burgh had the first of three penalty appeals turned down in four minutes. Substitute Kenzie McCrystal appeared to be brought down by Hugh Cameron but referee Paul Timmons wasn't interested.

In the first minute of added time, another penalty shout fell on deaf ears when Naismith's shot hit Cameron on the arm but Timmons, again, wasn't interested.

And a minute later, the clearest of all Burgh's penalty shouts saw Cameron somehow get away with yet another infringement in the box as he shoved Stuart McCann in the back, bundling him to the ground but Timmons ignored Burgh's appeals. In the aftermath, Burgh manager Jamie McKim was sent to the stands.

Full time: 1-2

Goal: S McCann

Starting XI: Broun, Menzies, Crooks, Fyfe, Naismith (C), McDonald, Brophy, McKenzie, S McCann, Simeon, G McCann

Man of the Match: Gary McCann

It was a below-par performance from The Burgh today. We had plenty of the ball but didn't do a lot with it. Credit to Threave, though, who came here with a game plan and executed it. Best of luck to The Rovers in the next round.

Thank you, as always, to all those who came to support The Burgh today.

Next week it's back to the Scottish Junior Cup, as we face St Cadocs at Keanie Park in the quarter finals, a game which marks the return to 14:00 kick offs. Adults £10, Concessions £5.