Thistle sting Shipyard in second half onslaught.

The Shipyard leading 1-0 at half-time must have raised a few eyebrows around the other East of Scotland League grounds but the fact of the matter was that the Shippy were good value for their lead. When news broke that Coldstream were ahead against Kelty many must have thought they might be in for a sensational day of shocks. Ultimately that was not to be the case as the more fancied sides came from behind to win.

Due to the dearth of players available the Shipyard once again had to turn to the U/20 squad to field a team against Lothian Thistle HV. However, interim manager Raymond Drury had his team well drilled and competitive but tiredness and the ability of the visitors told in second half as they eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Brian Breen saw a curled effort drift wide of the far post before Shippy keeper Sean Malpas held an acrobatic attempt as the visitors replied. Youngster Denis Ginc gave his side the lead in the 16^th minute when he capitalised on hesitation from keeper Kerr Robertson to flick the ball round him and he showed great composure to slot the ball into the unguarded goal as the visitor’s defence tried to cover. Breen was proving to be the main threat for the Shipyard as he had two more shots at goal as Lothian continued to toil against a resolute Shipyard rear-guard.

Denis Ginc celebrates goal with Brian Breen

The visitors were out early for the second half and took the game to the Shippy from the off. A good chance was missed within a minute of the restart and shortly after Malpas made a fine save. Lothian got the equaliser they were threatening in the 51^st minute when the ball was volleyed home at the back post. Two minutes later they were ahead courtesy of a penalty after Conor Drury was adjudged to have fouled his opponent as they tussled for a high ball. These two quick fire goals seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Shipyard and the visitors went on to dominate the rest of the match and scored three more goals in the final half hour.

Burntisland Shipyard: S. Malpas, S. Powrie, R. O’Donnell, A. Trialist, C. Drury, J. Pirie, O. Ferry, B. Trialist, D. Ginc, B. Breen, K. Ford (C. Richardson).

Lothian Thistle HV: K. Robertson, C. Simpson, L. O’Donnell, P. Crawford, J. Wishart, A. Muir, R. Hutchison, K. Brown, S. Nhamburo, D. Cummings, L. Swanson. Subs: W. Hare, D. Moore, J. Mungall, S. Matters, S. Wringe.

Referee: G. MacDonald.