Goals from Kieran Brophy, Jojo Gillespie and a brace from Ally Small saw Burgh ease into the third round of the South Challenge Cup.

Following World Mental Health Day this week (10 October), we were delighted to be joined by Sarah, Lucy and John representing our charity partner RAMH. Before the game, Sarah and John joined the Burgh team on the pitch for a pre-game photo.

The visitors started brightly, although failed to create anything of note. It didn't take Burgh long to get into the game and they took the lead in the 11th minute through Kieran Brophy. Malky McDonald played an excellent throughball to Brophy who ran onto it and found himself one on one with former Burgh keeper Glenn Cameron. As Brophy struck the ball, he was hacked down from behind by a Kilbirnie defender, and had Brophy's shot not had enough on it to beat Cameron and trickle into the net, it surely would've been a penalty and possibly a red card.

After this, Burgh took control of the game and from here, it was almost all one way traffic. Burgh almost doubled their lead immediately through Stuart McCann but his effort was saved. Three minutes later, Burgh had the ball in the net. A deep cross from Dale Simeon eluded Cameron, and found Malky McDonald at the back post who knocked it in off his knee, but the referee ruled it out, indicating that the ball struck the hand of McDonald.

Burgh pressed and pressed looking to extend their lead, with the visitors being restricted only to counter attacks. As half time approached, Burgh had a succession of corners. One of which, Ryan Wallace met with his head and the ball fell to Gillespie who managed to knock it goalwards. Scott Lewis and Glenn Cameron thought they'd done enough to prevent the ball crossing the line, but the referee indicated goal.

Half time: 2-0

Burgh started the second half still in control and, straight from kick off, searched for a third. Gillespie, Brophy and Wallace all had notable chances. Gillespie cut in from the left wing onto his right foot but his shot went over the bar. Gillespie cut in again from the left, this time squaring it to the wide-open Brophy, who looked certain to get his second of the game but Kilbirnie defender Jamie Ballantyne did brilliantly to race back and block Brophy's shot. Del Esplin hit a long ball wide to Dale Simeon on the right wing, his cross was met by a Ryan Wallace header, which was well saved by Glenn Cameron. Gillespie had another excellent chance as he raced into the box to get on the end of a throughball, switched it onto his right foot and tried to bend it round the keeper from a tight angle but Cameron made a great save to deny the Burgh winger.

18 minutes from time, Kilbirnie ventured forward and created arguably their best chance of the game. Jack Scullion shot from the edge of the box and, although he didn't much to do in the game, McGowan remained switched on to make a good save down to his right hand side.

On 74 minutes, Brophy came agonisingly close to his second of the game, as Gary McCann sent a deep cross into the box and Brophy's header grazed the crossbar as it went just over. On 78 minutes, a Kilbirnie player misplaced a pass, giving it to Ally Small, who was one on one with Cameron. Small rounded the visiting keeper and slotted into an empty net.

On 81 minutes, another lapse of concentration in the Kilbirnie defence saw Graham Dorrans square the ball to Ally Small, who was completely unmarked about 10 yards out and kept his composure to coolly slot it past Cameron.

Burgh still kept the pressure on, looking to add more but in the end, had to settle for four. It was a fully dominant display that sees us advance to the third round where we will play at home against University of Stirling, who beat Thorniewood United 4-1 today. The date for this will be advised. Apart from Burgh vs Kilbirnie (game abandoned last month) and Thorniewood United vs University of Stirling (game postponed last month) which were both second round ties, all ties played today were third round matches. The fourth round draw will take place on Monday. The fourth round is scheduled for 18th November. Due to Rutherglen Glencairn advancing to the fourth round, our league fixture at Rutherglen on this date will now be rescheduled.

Full time: 4-0

Goals: Brophy, Gillespie, Small x2

Starting XI: McGowan, Boland, Wallace, Menzies, Naismith, Esplin (C), Brophy, McDonald, S McCann, Simeon, Gillespie

Man of the Match: Del Esplin

Next week, our attention turns to the Indigo Comms West of Scotland Football League Cup, when we welcome WOSFL newcomers Knightswood to Keanie Park with a 14:00 kick off. Admission is £8 for adults and £4 for concessions. Season tickets not valid.

Johnstone Burgh would like to thank RAMH for their attendance today. We'd also like to thank fans of both teams for their donations on entry at the gate and for donations to the foodbank. And a thank you to today's referee who also donated to the charities. All donations are greatly appreciated.

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