SHIPYARD YOUNGSTERS IN BRAVE PERFORMANCE.
With six of the squad missing for a variety of reasons, the Shipyard travelled to Prestonpans with one of the youngest teams ever to represent the Club. Seven of the team were aged between 17 and 19 but they put in a strong performance against the Lowland League side.
Preston started the game very much on the front foot as the Shipyard youngsters struggled to settle. The first shot on target did however come from the Shippy’s Luke Thompson in the 4th minute of the game but his effort was saved by Craig Pennycuik. Preston replied seconds later and Chris Brown in the Shipyard goal set the scene for what was to be a great performance when he parried a fierce drive wide of his post. Preston’s first goal was not long in coming, however. A minute later Lewis McIntosh was caught in possession by Kenny Park and the Preston striker made no mistake from a few yards out. The strength of the Preston side and hesitancy of the Shipyard youngsters was clear and it was another defensive frailty that led to the second goal in the 12th minute of the game. The Shipyard did try to respond and, a few minutes later, Pennycuik did well to force a great effort by Stuart Bowman over the bar. For some reason the referee missed the save by the keeper and despite protests from the Shipyard players, a goal kick was awarded.
Brown was in action again in the 17th minute when he made a great save from a Frazer Henderson attempt. A minute later and Brown was called into action again as he touched an effort from Kenny Park over the bar. The Preston pressure continued and the 3rd goal came when Kenny Park latched on to another misplaced pass and he presented Michael Park with the easiest of tap-ins. The Shipyard began to settle a bit at this stage of the game but a couple of attempts by Euan Aitken were thwarted by the Preston defence. Brown was called into action again in the 37th minute as he saved a great effort by Henderson. In the 44th minute, Preston’s Greg Douglas was booked for a second dangerous tackle and, just as the first half was coming to a close, Euan Aitken managed to find some space and placed the ball into the Preston net to give his side a lift for the second half.
Manager Winter had some strong words for his young side at half time and their performance showed improvement on the back of this. The sides were pretty evenly balanced at this point and there was very little in the way of goalmouth action for the next 20 minutes or so until, following a Shipyard corner, Preston centre half Darryl Wilson committed an offence in the box. The resultant penalty was taken by Couper and while Pennycuik did well to block the spot-kick he could not prevent Couper following up and heading the ball home. Preston responded to this set back immediately and Brown was called into action, making four great saves in the next 7 or 8 minutes. Ben Couper found himself in the book when he was forced to halt a Preston break away and a few minutes later Wilson was dismissed for a 2nd offence when he brought down Aitken. Shipyard’s Rowan Kay was rather unfortunate to pick up a yellow card in the 82nd minute for a strong challenge as the home team continued to press. Brown came to the rescue again and the Preston front line squandered a couple of really good chance to put the game out of sight.
The Shipyard did press for a potential equaliser in the dying minutes and Chris Maxwell came on for Stuart Bowman hoping that his presence up front might just bring this about but to no avail unfortunately for the Shipyard.
After the match, both Craig Winter and Chris Maxwell praised their young side for what had been a bold performance, particularly in the second half, against a strong experienced senior team. Man of the match was undoubtedly Chris Brown in the Shipyard goal.
Burntisland Shipyard – C. Brown; K. Ford; L. Fleming; B. Couper; L. McIntosh; R. Kay; L. Thompson; S. Bowman (C. Maxwell); E. Aitken; L. Payne; K. Thompson.
Preston Athletic– Pennycuik; Cowan; Cochrane; Rogers; Wilson; Barclay; Henderson; Colquhoun; K Park; M Park; Douglas. Subs: Glen; Scott; Muir; Lawson.