Burgh Dominant In St Roch's Defeat

Burgh were condemned to their third defeat in four matches, despite Kieran Brophy pulling a goal back midway through the second half.

Jamie McKim made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Rutherglen last week. Kieran Brophy returned to the starting line-up, as well the McCann brothers in place of Blair Rossiter, Cammy Crooks and Dale Simeon. This line-up also saw a change of formation, going 442.

Burgh started brightly, with intent, and could've been ahead in the second minute after Darren Christie turned his defender inside out down the right and sent a cross into the box to the back post. Stuart McCann headed it back across goal to Brophy, who headed it on to Ally Small, and his goalbound header was cleared away.

The home side had to wait until the 13th minute for their first effort at goal. Steffan Graham cut in from the right, but it was a comfortable save for Burgh keeper Harry Broun.

A minute later, Burgh were up the other end and Stuart McCann cut it back to Ross McKenzie. Candy captain Kieran Daw desperately lunged in to deflect the shot out for a corner. Christie sent the corner to the back post where McKenzie headed it at goal but it was a routine save for John Stark.

In the 19th minute, the home side took the lead against the run of play. Burgh failed to clear a corner, which had eluded everyone. Jordan Thompson cut it back into the six yard box where Ben Daily turned it into the net.

Midway through the first half, Daw was lucky not to receive a booking after clattering into Kieran Brophy.

Burgh were pressing hard and looked certain to score. In particular, Brophy and Gary McCann were linking up well together on the left side. Small, McKenzie, McDonald, Brophy and Christie all had shots blocked, whilst St Roch's were barely able to get out their own half.

After Daw escaped a booking earlier in the match, he was lucky to escape a sending off in the 44th minute when he chopped down Brophy from behind.

Half time 1-0

Burgh started the second half on top, but just three minutes in they conceded again. A free kick about 25 yards rocketed off the bar. The rebound fell to Reece McGillion who struck it at goal. Burgh captain Jason Naismith did what any defender would do and stuck out a leg in an attempt to block the effort but in doing so, inadvertently took it away from Broun and into his own net.

After Brophy and Gary McCann had linked up well on the left in the first half, Burgh were working it down the right with McGlinchey and Christie linking up well.

It was all Burgh and they should've pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when Brophy was played through one on one but Stark pulled off a great save to keep his clean sheet in tact.

Two minutes later, Brophy did get his name on the scoresheet. McKenzie cut inside Daw and his shot from 20 yards was parried away by Stark, but he only parried it to Brophy, who side footed it into the empty net as Burgh became the first team in five matches to breach Candy's defence.

Arguably lucky to still be on the pitch, Kieran Daw was eventually given his marching orders in the 72nd minute after being penalised for a high boot, which caught McKenzie in the face.

Shortly after, Gary McCann's effort went just wide of the far post.

With 12 minutes to play, St Roch's almost put the game to bed, but after Noah Young made a block, Naismith cleared the danger.

Burgh went straight down the other end and should've equalised when McKenzie cut it back to Thomas Cruden, but his effort from the edge of the box went wide.

With Burgh throwing everything at the home side, St Roch's threw everything in the way as they desperately tried to cling on to the three points. In the 87th minute, McKenzie almost grabbed the equaliser, but was denied by another good save from Stark.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be and Burgh left James McGrory Park with zero points.

Full time 2-1

Goal: Brophy

Starting XI: Broun, McGlinchey, G McCann, Menzies, Naismith (C), McDonald, Brophy, McKenzie, Small, S McCann, Christie

Man of the Match: Gary McCann

It was always going to be tough against a side who've won four in a row without conceding a goal, but there's no doubt that our performance today deserved all three points. It's telling that keeper John Stark was awarded the St Roch's man of the match by their fans. Thank you to all those who travelled to Royston to cheer on The Burgh. Next week we welcome Kilwinning Rangers to Keanie Park. Kick off is at 14:00 on 23 March.