Poor start to the new season
The new season did not get off to a good start for the Shipyard as a combination of poor defending and wayward shooting saw them lose 3-0 to Heriot Watt University at Riccarton Campus. Jordan Mushet, Michael Morrison, Blair Smart, Craig Lowe, Adam Doig and Renato Sartarello all made their East of Scotland debuts for the club at these excellent facilities. Kevin Masson was missing due to injury.
Neither keeper was in too much trouble in the early stages with Sartarello, Lee Henderson and Brendan Napier all posing a threat for the Shipyard. However, that changed in the 20th minute when the visiting defence failed to clear a corner and Chris Rae was on hand to knock the loose ball into the net from ten yards. The goal seemed to give Heriot Watt a lift and they enjoyed a good spell of pressure but could not add to their lead. Dale Robertson drove two efforts over the bar and good build up play between Napier and Stevie Connor saw the latter shoot wide from the edge of the box. Although a goal down the Shipyard were very much in the game at this stage and had enjoyed plenty of possession without getting any attempts on target.
The students doubled their lead early in the second half and again the Shipyard defence were hesitant as the ball fell to Michael Connor and with no-one closing him down he had time and space to fire a great shot beyond Mushet in the Shipyard goal. The rest of the second half saw very little goalmouth action, though things picked up in the latter stages as Robertson shot over again and substitute Pete Bell forced home keeper Craig Saunders into action for the first time. Robertson worked the keeper again as his long range free-kick had Saunders gathering low to his right. Heriot Watt sealed their victory in the 86th minute when after a quick break David Myatt saw his strike hit the bar and again the loose ball was not cleared and Rae scored his second goal of the match when he shot home from the edge of the box. The Shipyard tried to get a consolation goal but Bell headed wide from six yards after a good cross from the left.
Teams: Heriot Watt University: Saunders; Robb; Laurenson; Kerr; Forbes; Myatt; Forsyth (Weir); Rae; Henderson; Connor (Green); Stevenson (Heraghty).
Burntisland Shipyard: Mushet; Morrison (Bridges); Connor; Smart; McKay; Lowe; Doig; Robertson; Sartarello (Bell); Napier; Henderson (Fotheringham).
Referee: K. Maskell.