Brilliant Burgh Defeat Dundee East Craigie

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Burgh eased past Dundee East Craigie in a one sided Scottish Junior Cup tie today at Keanie Park with goals from Jojo Gillespie, Dale Simeon and Hamish McKinlay.

Coming into the game, Burgh, who were wearing their new home kit for the first time, would've been expecting a stern test against last season's semi finalists but that wasn't to be the case as Burgh were dominant and controlled the game from start to finish.

It was wave after wave of Burgh attacks in the first half, including Brophy hitting the post after five minutes. But on 20 minutes, the visitors had their best opportunity of the game when they were awarded a penalty. The Dundee East Craigie number 6 stepped up and, with a stuttering run up, he waited to see which way Kenzie Smyth would dive. Smyth kept his nerve, refusing to move first, and the East Craigie man struck his penalty tamely to Smyth's left resulting in a good, albeit comfortable, save.

After 27 minutes, Burgh took a deserved lead when Jojo Gillespie's cross was blocked by the opposing defender and the deflection took the ball into the net. A minute later, Burgh thought they'd doubled the lead but the referee controversially deemed Gillespie to be in an offside position. Burgh continued to pile on the pressure and will feel that they should've led by more than just the solitary goal at half time.

Half time: 1-0

Burgh killed the game off about 20 seconds after the restart, when Gillespie's low ball across the box was met by Dale Simeon at the back post to make it 2-0.

10 minutes later, Simeon headed in for his second of the game, but another controversial offside call meant the score remained 2-0.

Barring a small spell around midway in the second half when Smyth was called into action to make a couple of good saves, the visitors never got going and Burgh remained in control.

Hamish McKinlay scored for the second consecutive game when Stuart McCann won a challenge on the edge of the box and his throughball found McKinlay open and he fired home with the final kick of the match.

Burgh looked comfortable all afternoon and, although they'll be delighted with the win, they will feel that they could've, and should've won by more. A testament to how good they were today.

With the second round draw being made last night, Burgh already knew a win today would see us face a home tie against the winner of Cumbernauld United vs Dundee North End. The Dundee side won 4-0, meaning they'll travel to Johnstone for the second round. The tie will be played at Keanie Park on 07 October with a 14:30 kick off.

Next week, we return to league action when we welcome Maybole Juniors to Keanie Park on 09 September 2023. Kick off will revert back to the usual time of 14:00. We look forward to seeing you then.

Full time: 3-0

Goals: Gillespie, Simeon, McKinlay

Starting XI: Smyth, Crooks, Wallace, McDonald, Naismith, Esplin (C), Brophy, Dorrans, Small, Simeon, Gillespie

Man of the Match: Graham Dorrans

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