Shippy exit King Cup after under par performance.
The Shipyard never really got started in this cup tie and they were a pale shadow of themselves following Friday nights enthralling match against Crossgates. It what was an uninspiring contest, with very few clear-cut chances, it came as no surprise that only one goal would settle the contest. When that goal came for Stoneyburn in the 23rd minute it was a calamity for the Shippy as a corner found it’s way to the back post and Joshua Sharpe was able to knock the ball in from no more than a couple of feet out. Mikey Couser, Mark James and Kris Murphy were all missing from the team that started on Friday, though there was the welcome return of Ben Anthony who had been out since December with an ankle injury. Scott Costello, Lewis Ross and Craig Watt came into the starting eleven.
Watt almost opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, however, his headed effort from a Sam Glancy corner flew just wide. Stoneyburn went close with a headed attempt in the 13th minute and in the 17th, Costello had to react quickly to gather the loose ball after it spilled from his grasp. Stoneyburn took the lead in the 23rd minute as mentioned when Sharpe took advantage of some poor defending to prod the ball home. A ball flicked into the path of Dan Thomson was cleared off the line as the Shippy looked to respond quickly, however, they were dealt a blow in the 28th minute as Costello was unable to continue after he collided with the post when pulling off as good save and after a couple of minutes treatment he was replaced by Mikey Couser.
The Shippy spurned a great chance in the 58th minute as Dan Thomson broke through. Rather than shoot with his right foot he cut back inside the defender and was unlucky to see his strike hit the bar and go over. Both Iain Millar and Matty Robertson were withdrawn through injury, with Millar’s looking particularly serious, and they were replaced by Sandy Strang and Ben Anthony. In the 72nd minute Strang had a chance from a corner, however, he couldn’t direct his header on target and the same man went close again with seven minutes remaining but, on this occasion, he was thwarted by keeper Jack McLean.
Manager Lee Richardson was naturally disappointed when he spoke after the match when he said “We were poor tonight, particularly in the first half, and never reached the levels required. Picking up three more injuries tonight is a huge blow, with Big Millzy looking like he could be out for a while. I don’t think Costy and Matty will be long term but it’s still a concern, nonetheless, given the other injuries we have.”
On Saturday (09/03/2024) we travel to face Coldstream in a league match at Home Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello (M. Couser); E. Bauld; M. Robertson (B. Anthony); I. Millar (S. Strang); M. Gibb; C. Watt; L. Ross (E. McQuade); CJ. Thomson; E. Stanfield; D. Thomson; S. Glancy. Unused Subs: K. Beard & M. Moodie.
Stoneyburn: J. McLean; M. Brown; L. Woods; J. Sharpe; J. Williamson; B. Miller; J. Duncan; E. Watson; J. McLaughlin; G. Forrester; J. Douglas. Subs: L. Kane; B. Nolan; B. Ferris; J. Cameron; A. Gibb.
Referee: T. Martin.