Burgh Sharper Than The Thorn In Local Derby

‍

Johnstone Burgh made it three wins from four pre season games as they dismantled the Thorn in a one sided match at Thorn Athletic Sports Academy. Burgh got off to the perfect start as Dom Boland fired in a cross and, for the second game running, Burgh's opener came courtesy of a defender turning the ball into his own net.

The visitors then struggled to build on that perfect start and Thorn equalised in a rare, yet well worked, attack.

Around the half hour mark, Graham Dorrans was booked for a challenge from behind, much to the annoyance of the home side, who thought he should've seen red. The incident seemed to spark the game into life as Burgh netted four times in quick succession to take a 5-1 lead into the half time break.

First, Cammy Crooks put in a cross, which saw Stuart McCann rise above the rest and restore Burgh's lead. Three minutes later, Kieran Brophy fizzed a cross to the back post and Crooks finished it with a powerful header. Again, it only took three minutes until Burgh found the net again. Ross McKenzie poking it home after some poor defending from the Thorn. Four minutes later, McKenzie played a lovely throughball to find Jojo Gillespie, who coolly slotted home.

Half time: 1-5

Burgh started the second half the same way they finished the first and the hunger for more was clear to see. About 10 minutes into the second half, half time substitue Hamish McKinlay unleashed a rocket from over 25 yards  giving the keeper no chance as it flew into the net.

10 minutes later, Hamish McKinlay, who seemed to be involved in everything the Burgh did, was brought down just inside the penalty area and Jojo Gillespie netted his second of the game as he converted from the spot.

Burgh's dominance continued but it looked as though the game would finish 7-1, until Keiran Brophy beat the offside trap, and through on goal, he unselfishly squared the ball to Hamish McKinlay to knock it into the empty net.

Full time: 1-8

Goals: OG, S McCann, Crooks, McKenzie, Gillespie x2, McKinlay x2