Burgh Into Scottish Junior Cup Third Round

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Johnstone Burgh beat Midlands League high-flyers Dundee North End, thanks to a goal from Ally Small and a Stuart McCann brace, to set up a third round tie against Irvine Meadow XI in the Scottish Junior Cup.

The visitors came into this game on a 13 game unbeaten run, having won their last nine. The Dokens started on the front foot, forcing Burgh keeper Jamie McGowan into an excellent save at his near post in the first minute.

Burgh had their first chance of the game after nine minutes when Hamish McKinlay was brought down on the edge of the box. McKinlay took the free kick himself, and bent it around the wall but the Dokens keeper palmed it away.

In the 12th minute, the Dundee North End number 6 somehow escaped a red card after a shocking tackle on Kieran Brophy on the right wing. The resulting free kick was fired into the box, but dealt with by the North End defence.

In the 16th minute, Ally Small bagged his 10th goal of the season to break the deadlock and give Burgh the lead. A swift counter attack saw McKinlay play a long ball to Brophy who took an excellent touch to bring the ball under control. He then played a throughball to Dale Simeon, who squared it across goal to Ally Small to tap into the empty net.

After 24 minutes, The Dokens were lucky again not to be reduced to 10 men after another shocking tackle, this time on Burgh captain Del Esplin.

Half time: 1-0

The Dokens had the first chance of the second half as they searched for the equaliser. The shot from just inside the box was on target, but a comfortable height for McGowan to make the save.

Burgh's first chance of the second half came not long after. Malky McDonald fired in a low shot from 25 yards but the visiting keeper got down well to push the ball out for a corner.

The away side were eager for an equaliser, and although they pressed hard, Burgh were well organised and kept the Dokens from causing McGowan any real issues.

Following the North End spell of pressure, the hosts started to take control once again and made life difficult for The Dokens.

10 minutes from time, Burgh doubled their lead through Stuart McCann. He evaded the sliding tackle from the Dokens defender, and got his shot away from just inside the D. The keeper got a touch on it, but couldn't keep it out.

The hosts dominated the final 10 minutes and had the ball in the net with five minutes to play. Gillespie's shot from the edge of the box was parried by the North End keeper and Gary McCann volleyed the rebound into the net but the referee had already blown for McCann being offside.

With two minutes to play, the McCann brothers linked up to kill the game off and secure Burgh's place in the third round. Gary McCann cut back onto his left foot, clipped the ball into the box and Stuart McCann met it with his head to put the home side 3-0 up.

Graham Dorrans had a chance to make it 4-0 in injury time but his strike was saved.

Full time: 3-0

Goals: Small, S McCann x2

Starting XI: McGowan, Crooks, Wallace, Menzies, Naismith, Esplin (C), Brophy, McDonald, Small, Simeon, McKinlay

Man of the Match: Cammy Crooks

Burgh's reward for beating Dundee North End is a home tie against West of Scotland Premiership side Irvine Meadow XI. This match will take place at Keanie Park next Saturday (11 November) at 14:00. Admission is £8 adults, £4 concessions and free for under 16's. Season tickets are not valid for this fixture. This means our home game in the league against Kilwinning Rangers, originally scheduled for 11 November, will be postponed, with date to be advised.