Shipyard edged out in tight encounter.
The Shipyard lost their first league match of the season to Ormiston at Recreation Park in what was an entertaining match, though at times highly controversial as both teams were upset by some of the referee’s decisions. Jordan Mushet, Blair Smart, Billy Rogerson and Dale Robertson were all unavailable for the Shipyard though Shaun Keatings, Joe Samson and Alan Clark returned to the squad.
Quinn Franklin in the Shipyard goal was called into action early on as he dived low at his near post to turn an angled drive away for a corner. Another Ormiston shot was not too far away as the visitors had the better of the early stages. Brendan Napier had the first effort for the Shipyard and he was not too far away either as his strike drifted away from the target. A quickly taken free-kick saw Craig Lowe given an opportunity But Derek Robertson was alert to the danger and blocked with his legs. The Shipyard were enjoying a good spell of pressure and Daniel Watt saw his shot held before Robertson had to be on his toes as he brilliantly tipped over Keatings’ shot. The Shipyard were disappointed when the referee blew for a free-kick when if he had played advantage Napier was through one on one with the keeper. It was Ormiston who then felt aggrieved when the referee ruled out what they thought was a perfectly good goal for offside. However, the same thing happened at the other end a few minutes later when Adam Doig netted only to have that ruled out too.
Seven minutes into the second half Franklin saved well low to his left and seconds later he did equally well to stop A Dean Woods shot with his legs. Keatings of the Shipyard then saw his goal bound effort blocked after the ball fell to him from a corner. Ormiston broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Woods flicked home at the near post when a driven free-kick was played into the six yard box. Ormiston should have doubled their lead three minutes later when Napier easily conceded possession just outside his own area, however, he and his team mates were relieved to see the strike come back off the post. The second goal came for Ormiston in the 70th minute when centre half Liam Skinner rose highest in the area to head a corner from the left into the net. The Shipyard were handed a lifeline in the 75th minute when goal scorer Skinner was adjudged to have fouled Keatings in the area. There was no question that it was a foul but whether it was a penalty was another matter as the Ormiston players were adamant the offence had taken place outside the box. Throw in the fact that it might have been a goal scoring opportunity then Skinner was maybe fortunate to stay on the park. After the dust had settled, Napier coolly slotted the penalty home to bring his side right back into the match. The Shipyard were now sniffing an equaliser and twice Kevin Masson went close as firstly his head flick from a Joe Samson throw in was held and then after a surging run his left foot drive was well held by Robertson. Ormiston then comfortably played out the last few minutes to gain the narrow win.
Manager Myles Allan lamented after the match when he said “It’s just like Groundhog Day again. It’s another game where the first half performance was very good and the second half performance wasn’t. When there’s such a difference in performance either side of half time with the same players in the same system then I’m starting to think that it’s psychological. But until we start to play well over 90 minutes then all the good spells are going to count for nothing”.
Burntisland Shipyard: Q. Franklin; P. Bell (A. Clark); E. Anderson; T. Arthur; A. MacDonald; B. Napier (E. Henderson); S. Keatings; C. Lowe; D. Watt (C. Samson); A. Doig; K. Masson. Unused Subs: K. Buckley & B. Springhall.
Ormiston: D. Robertson; J. Mack; K. Watson; K. Salton; L. Skinner; L. Cochrane (A. McKillop); J. Morgan; D. Quinn (D. Redpath); D. Woods; B. McEwan; M. Graham (D. Ross). Unused Subs: S. Miller & R. Ferguson.
Referee: G. MacDonald.