Late goals deny Shippy crucial win.

Shippy manager Dave Costello probably summed things up perfectly when he said after the match “It is what it is! We could have won it and we could have lost it, so a draw was probably the right result. Going into the last ten minutes two up you think you have done enough, however, just a few minutes later I am desperate to hear the full-time whistle.” When asked if he would have taken a point before the match Costy replied “I would have taken a point with five minutes remaining that’s for sure.” He went on to add “We played well for a large part of the game and Sam scored two great goals and was desperately unlucky not to get his hat-trick but I’m obviously disappointed to concede the two late goals, particularly as we had been defending so well.”

The heavy rain that was forecast for Saturday morning never materialised so although the pitch was soft, and it did cut up as the match progressed, the game was never in doubt. The Shipyard starting eleven showed one change from last week with Mark James replacing the injured Shaun Keatings. Young Rhys Wardlaw impressed enough last week to keep his place in the team.

The game got off to a sensational start with Sam Glancy smashing home a tremendous volley leaving Dunipace keeper Alexander Gilchrist helpless with only three minutes on the clock. Dunipace had an opportunity in the 13^th minute but the shot hit another “Pace” player and the danger was averted. Wardlaw appeared to be impeded as he burst into the visitor’s area, however, he kept his feet and although he was off balance he got a shot away, which was blocked by Gilchrist and cleared. Sam Colley headed over for Dunipace in the 28th minute and seconds later they had a golden chance to equalise as they were awarded a penalty when the referee penalised Iain Millar for a challenge in the box. The ref deemed that although Millzy got a foot on the ball he had challenged from behind and had fouled the player. For the second week in succession Scott Costello saved a spot kick as he blocked Colley’s poorly struck effort and the loose ball was knocked wide. Glancy got his second goal in the 37^th minute following good link up play between Wardlaw and Darrell Anthony, this time switching the ball to his right foot and firing it into the bottom corner. Sam was sniffing his hat-trick and saw another strike blocked as half-time loomed.

Glancy couldn’t be kept out of the action and he had a great chance to score again in the 54^th minute. Excellent build up saw him gather the ball in the area and from the corner of the six yard he could only watch on in agony as his shot slid past the far post with none of his teammates able to reach the ball as it came across the box. Dunipace created a couple of chances minutes later with Costello tipping a long range shot over the bar but he then had a bit of luck on his side when the ball beat him but rebounded back off the post. At the other end Wardlaw cleverly switched the ball from one foot to the other to engineer space for a shot, however, his strike was blocked and the danger cleared. The Shipyard were defending resolutely as the visitors pushed to get back into the match, with vital blocks being made on a couple of occasions. The Shippy remained dangerous on the counter attack with substitute Cammy Lewis offering something different up front and keeping the visiting defenders on their toes. Dunipace pulled a goal back in the 81^st minute when the ball found it’s way to the back post where substitute Ryan Fleming prodded the ball home. Six minutes later it was all square as David Grant received the ball on the right hand side, cut across the box and drove in a left foot shot. Dunipace had the momentum and now looked the more likely to get a winner, that being said, they never created another chance in the remaining few minutes.

Next Saturday we travel to Brownlands Park to face Luncarty for a league match which kicks off at 2pm. The Club is running a bus which will be leaving the ground at 11.15am. Contact the club through social media channels for information.

Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; D. Thomson; L. Bell; L. Ross; I. Millar; M. James; B. Anthony; D. Anthony (S. Orrock); R. Wardlaw (C. Lewis); J. Wilson; S. Glancy. Unused Subs: A. Brown; J. Galloway; D. Pierce.

Dunipace: A. Gilchrist; L. McCroary; D. Ashe; T. McArthur; M. Galloway; S. Colley; D. Grant; J. McGuckin; P. Nash; C. McNeil; D. Morrison. Subs: A. Whitelaw; A. Grant; M. Wright; R. Fleming.

Referee: E. Walls.