League leaders prove too strong for Shippy.

The Shipyard went down 2-0 to league leaders Armadale Thistle at Volunteer Park on Saturday, however, the Dale were made to work hard for their victory and it wasn’t until the 89^th minute that they secured the win with their second goal and in the process, condemned the Shippy to their first league defeat of the season. The Shipyard were forced into four changes from the side that won just along the road at Bathgate on Wednesday night with captain Iain Millar injured and Ryan Couser, Matty Robertson and Kris Murphy all unavailable. Couser’s absence meant a debut for 17 year old keeper Finlay Russell and the youngster can be proud of his performance as he produced an assured display showing no lack of confidence. Kieran Crielly, Conor Schiavone and Kierren Ritchie were the others who came into the starting eleven.

Unfortunately for the Shippy they conceded an early goal as Armadale took the lead with only seven minutes on the clock. A through ball caught out the visitor’s defence and Robbie Feeney found himself with time and space to beat Russell from inside the box. The Shippy responded well and good build up saw Schiavone lay the ball off to Blair Kerr, however, the midfielders shot was blocked. In the 16^th minute Liam Taylor picked up the ball just outside the area but couldn’t keep his strike on target. The Shippy went mighty close three minutes later through Mikey Gibb as he lashed the ball off the underside of the bar and Kerr saw his follow up blocked. Armadale went close when a corner was allowed to bounce in the box, however, the defence was able to clear the danger before the ball crossed the line. Russell then made a good save to deny Aaron Ramage with 33 minutes on the clock.

Juwan Abubakar couldn’t get a decisive tough on the ball as it flashed across the face of the Shipyard goal in the 47^th minute. The Shipyard weren’t getting forward as much in the second period as the hosts took a stronger grip on proceedings and in the 74^th minute Russell saved with his foot to deny Craig Baillie. In the space of two minutes the Shippy defence did well to block a couple of efforts and sub Dan McBay was on hand to head another effort off the line. In a rare foray into the Dale box Schiavone headed over a Kerr cross as the match entered the final ten minutes. Substitute Ryan Robertson headed over before Armadale sealed the victory in the final minute. A quick break down the righthand side saw the ball played to Baillie who lashed the ball home giving Rusell no chance.

With no midweek fixture this coming week we will welcome Glenrothes to Recreation Park for a South Challenge Cup first round tie on Saturday (17/8/2024).

Armadale Thistle: A. Murphy; J. Sayers; J. Fairley (G. Hamilton); E. Herriot; D. Wilson; A. Higgins; J. Abubakar (K. Jackson); D. Kane; R. Feeney (B. Stewart); A. Ramage (R. Robertson); C. Baillie. Unused Subs: C. Neilson & S. McLeod.

Burntisland Shipyard: F. Russell; D. Brockie (K. Beard); K. Crielly; E. Bauld; M. Gibb; D. Anthony; A. McAndrew (J. Galloway); B. Kerr; C. Schiavone; K. Ritchie (E. McQuade); L. Taylor (D. McBay).

Referee: J. Cerinus.