New adventure of to a flying start
The Shipyard started their East of Scotland campaign in great style as they easily saw off Gala Fairydean at Recreation Park, winning by four goals to one. Billy Whitehead’s options were curtailed by the absence of five players from his squad but those that were selected did not let him down as, after a nervous start they stuck to their task and gained a comfortable win.
A healthier than normal crowd gather to watch the action and after four minutes they saw Andy Martin pull off a decent save from a powerful shot. Neish had the first effort for the home side before the Shipyard were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute when Paul Wilson was fouled in the box. Mark Brough stepped up and put the Shipyard ahead with a powerful shot from the spot. That lead was to be short lived as after a mix up between McAndrew and Brown allowed Jack Hay an opportunity and he coolly rolled the ball under Martin and into the far corner. Nightingale went close for gala but it was the Shipyard who edged ahead again just before half-time. Stuart Gary rose and powered home a header from Wilson’s free-kick.
The Shipyard were almost out of sight within a few minutes of the restart. Firstly, Graeme Neish gathered the Ball just inside the Gala box, jinked to try and fine some space, and when he did, he fired a great shot into the corner of the net despite keeper Turnbull’s valiant effort. A couple of minutes later it was 4 – 1 as a Shipyard corner from the left was flicked on at the near post by Robertson and Stuart Gray was on hand to score his second of the match as he headed home from close range. Midway through the half Martin raced out of goal but did not get to the ball. When the cross came in the Gala effort was headed clear by Brough. Gala threatened again four minutes later when a shot was fired across the face of goal and that seemed to be their last chance to get back into the match, because shortly after substitute Rob Hewitson was sent off for what appeared to be a stamp on the Shipyard keeper Martin. Billy Whitehead was pleased afterwards and said “I thought we were nervous to start with, however, once we settled we played some good stuff and passed the ball well. We were obviously a threat a set pieces as some of our goals showed. Overall I am very pleased with our performance in our first match at this level”.
Teams: Burntisland Shipyard: Martin; McAndrew; Brough; Gray; Whyte; Brown (Bissett); Robertson; Lamont (Dow); Neish (Hay); Wilson; Grieve. Unused Subs: Melia; Small.
Gala Fairydean: Turnbull; Fairburn; Brown; Lothian; Sutherland; McGregor; Nightingale; Tyson; Rossi; Young; Hay. Subs: Hewitson; Bonnar; Berry; McCulloch.
Referee: K. Maskell.