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West Calder United 4-1 Burntisland Shipyard

October 13, 2024    ·    Drew    ·    2024/2025 Season, Match Reports

Shippy pay the price for poor second half.

The Shipyard slumped to a 4-1 defeat against West Calder United at a rain lashed Hermand Park on Saturday afternoon. Shippy were masters of their own downfall as some poor finishing and equally bad defending allowed the hosts to complete a league double over Shipyard and consolidate their position in second place. A win for Shipyard would have seen the visitors take that second place, therefore, it was a very disappointing result indeed. Daniel Brockie, Ethan Bauld and Darrell Anthony all returned to the starting eleven having been unavailable last week replacing Iain Millar, Jordan Galloway and the suspended Matty Robertson.

Shippy created the first opportunity of the match when Kris Murphy headed a Stuart Forster corner off target. Ryan Couser saved well from close range before West Calder were awarded a penalty in the 7th minute following a foul by Dan McBay in the penalty area. Andrew Jackson stepped up and sent Couser the wrong way to give his side an early lead. Couser then saved smartly with his legs to thwart the West Calder forward. Forster then broke away for Shippy but despite getting into the area he couldn’t get his shot away. Shipyard were enjoying a spell of pressure with Anthony shooting straight at the keeper. In the 19th minute McBay drove inches wide from the edge of the box. A long throw from Brockie caused panic in the West Calder box and Forster missed a chance to bring Shipyard level. Couser saved an effort that was straight at him in the 29th minute as the game swung from end to end. The big keeper’s tremendous distribution then sent Mikey Gibb away, however, Gibby shot was blocked by the home defence. Gary Fallon headed over following a short corner for the hosts, while at the other end good work from Forster set up a chance for Murphy but the big striker’s shot was held by United keeper Ryan MacIndoe. Shippy got the equaliser they deserved on the stroke of half-time when a Forster cross was knocked home at the back post by Anthony.

A great flowing move in the 53rd minute almost gave the visitors the lead as Tony McAndrew and Gibb combined to cross for Murphy, however, his effort whistled just passed the post. Shipyard were made to pay for their misses when West Calder regained the lead. The defence couldn’t clear the danger and when the ball broke to Scott Hay, he volleyed the ball beyond Couser and into the roof of the net. Gibby shot wide in the 59th minute before the play quickly switched to the other end where Steven Jackson drove wide and seconds later Couser pulled off a great save from Jamie McAllister. West Calder were dominating proceedings now as Couser denied Hay and only some last ditch defending kept the score at 2-1. Shipyard conceded a poor third goal as possession was given up all to easily and McAllister drove forward and fired the ball into the corner of the net as the game entered the final fifteen minutes. Shipyard could have pulled a goal back a minute later when a corner was flicked on to Murphy at the back post, however, the big man failed to find the target. Another long ball caught out the Shippy defence and McAllister grabbed his second and, in the process, secured the three points for his team with eleven minutes remaining. Having used all their substitutes Shipyard were forced to finish the match with ten men after Anthony had to be helped off following a challenge in the centre circle.

Manager Lee Richardson didn’t mince his words after the match when he said “We were really poor today, particularly in the second half. Defensively we were all at sea and had Ryan to thank on several occasions. At the other end I thought we were good in that we created a lot of chances; however, our finishing was not up to standard as we lacked composure and never troubled their keeper often enough as too many attempts off target.”

Next week we are on the road again with Edinburgh College the opposition in the league. Kick off at the Oriam is 3.00pm.

West Calder United: R. MacIndoe; S. Jackson; G. Fallon; J. Pow (D. Robertson 54’); J. McCullagh (K. Ross 54’); S. Hay (A. Morgan 80’); J. Gregory; J. McAllister; H. Maguire (M. Wilkins 54’); A. Arthur; A. Jackson (K. Sweeney 80’). Unused Subs: M. Zata & J. Laing.

Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; D. Brockie (O. Farley 78’); E. McQuade (Trialist 46’); E. Bauld; K. Crielly (B. Kerr 63’); D. Anthony; A. McAndrew; D. McBay (S. Strang 63’); K. Murphy; S. Forster (k. Ritchie 63’); M. Gibb. Unused Subs: E. Jowitt & R. MacDougall.

Referee: S. Gilchrist.

Burntisland Shipyard 3-0 Peebles Rovers

October 6, 2024    ·    Drew    ·    2024/2025 Season, Match Reports

Peebles punished by ten man Shippy.

A superb second half display from ten man Shippy blew Peebles Rovers away at Recreation Park on Saturday. Despite having Matty Robertson sent off seconds before half time, the Shipyard players simply rolled up their sleeves and fought tooth and nail to gain, at the end of the day, a very much deserved win. There was no doubt that the visitors were the better team in the first half, however, a possible sense of injustice galvanised Shippy and a sensational hat-trick from Michael Gibb saw Shipyard win somewhat comfortably when the dust had settled. It was a much changed Shipyard that took the field following last week’s cup match with Daniel Brockie, Mark James, Darrell Anthony, Ben Anthony, Blair Kerr, Kierren Ritchie and Elliot Jowitt all dropping out through injury or unavailability though Kerr and Ritchie were on the bench. Robertson, Ellis McQuade, Tony McAndrew and Jordan Galloway were all promoted from the bench and there was a start for trialist Stuart Forster.

Peebles started brightly and were passing the ball well and stretching the Shippy defence and an early attack caused some panic at the back before the ball was scrambled clear. Balls over the top were also causing problems, however, nothing seriously troubled Ryan Couser in the Shipyard goals. A short corner was worked to Forster and his driven shot was parried away by Peebles keeper Jordan Moffat. A dangerous ball into Shippy’s box was cleared and at the other end Kris Murphy’s angled shot was not too far away. A Dan McBay shot was pushed out by Moffat before the game blew up shortly before the interval. A Rovers free kick was blocked and the loose ball was then headed onto the roof of the net amid a ruck of players. It was difficult to see what sparked the incident that followed but Peebles player Jamie Mackay was on the ground kicking out at Shipyard players. Nearly every player was involved, including Moffat who ran the whole length of the pitch to take part. There were several cards shown including a red for Robertson, however, how no Peebles player saw red was quite frankly astonishing, with only Mackay receiving a yellow for his part in the melee.

Manager Lee Richardson sacrificed Forster to bolster his defence as he introduced Craig McBay as a direct replacement for Robertson. Despite having a numerical advantage, the visitors were not troubling Couser and it was Shippy who looked more dangerous going forward. Moffat pulled off a decent save from a left foot Gibb shot after 62 minutes but a minute later Gibby broke the deadlock as he burst forward and drove the ball into the net. Kerr came on for McAndrew in the 66th minute and he had an almost instant impact as three minutes later he created the second goal. Kerr gathered the ball on the halfway line and he drove forward and delivered a cross that was just begging to be netted and Gibby duly obliged scoring from around six yards. Kerr might have had a goal himself after he burst clear of the Rovers defence, however, the young midfielder shot narrowly wide. Richardson had introduced youngsters Jack Hopton and Ryan Sharp with the former giving the visitors something different to think about with his direct running and a good run saw his shot saved by Moffat. Another short corner from Shippy saw the ball worked to D. McBay but unfortunately his strike flew over. With a minute remaining Gibb completed his hat-trick as he broke clear from halfway and kept his composure before driving the ball into the corner of the net.

Richardson said after the game “We did not press them well enough in the first half and didn’t get our tackles in, that being said, I didn’t think that they created much in the way of chances.” When asked about the turnaround after the interval he said “We had a bit go at them in the dressing room, asking for more as we were a man down and needed to be sharper. And what was a tremendous second half performance we got, especially given we only had ten men. You would never have thought it though as we created a good few chances. I’m delighted for Gibby. He’s had a slight injury recently but he never let it hamper him as he covered every blade of grass.” He went on to say, “The young boys also did themselves proud with their contribution to the team after coming on, in what was quite a feisty encounter.”

Next week we travel to Hermand Park to face West Calder United for another league fixture. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; M. Robertson; E. McQuade; K. Crielly; I. Millar; D. McBay; T. McAndrew (B. Kerr 65’); J. Galloway (R. Sharp 80’); K. Murphy (J. Hopton 70’); S. Forster (C. McBay 46’); M. Gibb. Unused Subs: O. Farley; S. Strang; K. Ritchie.

Peebles Rovers: J. Moffat; C. Riddell; B. Brown; K. Kivlichan; S. Inglis; S. Robertson; J. Mackay; N. McDonald; M. Joyce; S. Latto; F. Stewart. Subs: S. Taylor; G. Lamb; L. Maclean; H. McGill; J. Dodds; C. Robertson.

Referee: M. Walsh.

Burntisland Shipyard 1-4 Irvine Meadow XI

September 29, 2024    ·    Drew    ·    2024/2025 Season, Match Reports

Meadow prove to strong for Shippy.

“We simply never turned up” That’s how manager Lee Richardson summed things up when he spoke after the match. He went on to add “There were too many players not at it today and when you concede goals like we did in the first half, then you are up against it. Gibby’s goal got us back into it but to concede again so soon after finished it.” Lee then spoke about a lack of threat in front of goal when he said “We did not create near enough chances today and my choices were limited with Kris and Liam unavailable to me. They would have offered something different, Kris with his height and strength and Liam with his pace.”

Michael Gibb and Kierren Ritchie replaced the aforementioned Kris Murphy and Tony McAndrew in the starting eleven following last week’s win at Harthill as the Shippy looked to progress to the second round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup for the first time in a while.

A crowd of over 250 were inside Recreation Park for the match with a healthy contingent from Irvine amongst the number enjoying the autumn sunshine. A free kick from Meadow captain David Anderson whistled just wide of the target in the seventh minute while at the other end Ben Anthony saw his left foot effort go over the bar following a good turn at the edge of the box. The visitors took the lead in the 25th through a highly avoidable goal when an Anderson corner was volleyed home at the back post by the unmarked Jack McDowall. Dean Currie then scored a similar goal from another Anderson corner in the 39th minute leaving Shippy with an uphill struggle. It would have been three but for the bravery of Shipyard keeper Ryan Couser who took a venomous close range drive square on the nose. Thankfully, the big keeper recovered after a couple of minutes of treatment. Shipyard were dealt a blow at the interval though with captain Iain Millar unable to resume following an injury to his shoulder he picked up during the first half.

Shipyard pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Gibb chased a long ball and beat the retreating defender and keeper Jamie Barclay to the ball, and he headed it into the empty net from around the edge of the area. Unfortunately, Shippy couldn’t build on the chance to get back into the match and conceded a third goal in the 72nd minute when substitute Greg Cree was allowed to cut in from the left and he drilled the ball home. Shipyard created an opening in the 87th minute and amid a bit of a scramble Meadow cleared the ball off the line and averted the danger. Couser made a good save in the 88th minute, however, he was beaten for a fourth time when Cree scored his second goal deep into added time. At the end of the day, it was a deserved win for Irvine Meadow XI, but the Shipyard players can be proud of their efforts in the cup this season having beaten a good Dunipace side to reach this stage only to lose out to their West of Scotland League opponents.

It’s back to league action next Saturday as we welcome Peebles Rovers to Recreation Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt 46’); M. James; I. Millar (E. Bauld 46’); D. Anthony (M. Robertson 51’); D. McBay; B. Kerr (A. McAndrew 46’); K. Ritchie (J. Galloway 46’); B. Anthony; M. Gibb. Unused Subs: C. McBay & E. McQuade.

Irvine Meadow XI: J. Barclay; G. Sewell; S. Gallacher; L. Kennedy (E. O’Hare 71’); D. Currie; D. Anderson; T. Cruden (G. Cree 61’); J. McDowall (S. McBryde 84’); L. Neilson (E. Baird 61’); H. Gilmour; J. Gallacher. Unused Subs: S. Davidson; B. Sharpe; J. Lynn.

Referee: C. Fordyce.

Harthill Royal 0-1 Burntisland Shipyard

September 25, 2024    ·    Drew    ·    2024/2025 Season, Match Reports

Late goal secures win on the road.

The Shipyard climbed four places up the league table and into fifth place following a late winning goal, courtesy of Darrell Anthony’s header three minutes from time against newly promoted Harthill Royal on Saturday. Following what manager Lee Richardson described as “A very poor first half performance” his team improved after the break and got what was felt to be a deserved win at the end of the day. Ryan Couser returned after serving a one match suspension against Kennoway and he marked his return with a clean sheet and a solid display a Gibbshill Park as he produced a few good saves. Liam Taylor and Michael Gibb remained sidelined through injury though Mark James, Kris Murphy and Ben Anthony all returned to the starting eleven.

The hosts were on top for much of the first half with Kevin Kalala going close on a couple of occasions. They also forced several corners during the half, however, Shippy dealt with their set pieces well though Couser had to be alert to a free kick shortly before the break. A shot from D. Anthony was the closest the visitors came to opening their account.

Shipyard started much brighter in the second period with James going close following a corner thirty seconds into the half. Darrell then hit the post before brother Ben put the ball wide as he followed up. B. Anthony saw a shot saved before James went close again from the resultant corner. Couser saved well from Jeremiah Otonti as Harthill broke quickly. Half time substitute Ellis McQuade had to be replaced himself late in the match as a head knock forced him off. McQuade’s replacement Matty Robertson forced a good save from Royal keeper David Thomson before Shipyard scored what turned out to be the winner in the 87th minute. A long throw from Daniel Brockie was headed on by Iain Millar and Darrell was on hand at the back post to head into the net.

Richardson was much happier with the second half performance as he said “They got a bit of a roasting at half time, and it seemed to work as we were much more at it. We had much more possession and created a few chances and ultimately got the winner. I am delighted to get the three points.”

Next week our focus returns to the Scottish Cup as Irvine Meadow XI visit Recreation Park for our first-round tie. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.

Harthill Royal: D. Thomson; T. Sigauke; J. McNie; G. Moore; P. Luak; L. Paton; J. Otonti (C. Morrison); F. Hall; D. Klienman (P. Glibowski); K. Kalala; D. Strickland (A. Cross). Unused Subs: C. McDougall; E. Buchanan; M. Butler; R. Javed.

Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt 65’); M. James; I. Millar; D. Anthony; A. McAndrew (J. Galloway 46’); B. Kerr; K. Murphy; B. Anthony (K. Ritchie 74’); D. McBay (E. McQuade 46’) (M. Robertson 79’). Unused Subs: E. Bauld & C. McBay.

Referee: R. McCartney.

Kennoway Star Hearts 1-1 Burntisland Shipyard

September 9, 2024    ·    Drew    ·    2024/2025 Season, Match Reports

Stalemate at Treaton Park.

Shipyard and Kennoway took a point each following a 1-1 draw at Treaton Park on Saturday. Shippy were ahead at the interval thanks to Mikey Gibb’s 5th goal of the season, however, Dylan Walker equalised early in the second half and that’s how it finished as neither side could find a winner. Finlay Russell deputised in goals for the suspended Ryan Couser with club captain Iain Millar making a welcome return from injury, slotting into the heart of the defence. Daniel Brockie, Matty Robertson, Ellis McQuade and Blair Kerr all came into the starting eleven with Craig McBay, Ethan Bauld, Tony McAndrew, Kris Murphy and Ben Anthony dropping out for various reasons.

Shipyard got off to a good start as they broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Millar played a delightful ball down the inside left channel allowing Gibb to bear down on goal and from a narrowing angle he coolly slotted the ball beyond Owen Martin in the Kennoway goal. A free kick from the Kennoway right saw Russell get down at his near post and turn the ball away for a corner. The young keeper then dealt with a couple of shots and crosses quite comfortably. Shippy were dealt a blow in the 39th minute when on form striker Liam Taylor had to be withdrawn following a collision with a pitchside barrier. He was replaced by Jordan Galloway. A throw out from hosts Martin was intercepted by Brockie and the full back strode forward before unleashing a fierce drive that just cleared the crossbar.

Shipyard had a disastrous start to the second half when they conceded a needless goal. Russell’s attempted clearance was partially blocked by the Kennoway forward and the loose ball fell perfectly for Walker who fired the ball into the empty net from around 25 yards. A free kick bounced dangerously across the face of Shippy’s goal before a long throw and a corner had to be dealt with by the visitor’s defence. Shipyard were having to deal with a few set pieces while at the other end it seemed every attack was broken up by the referee whistling for offside.

After the match manager Lee Richardson said “We tired a bit as the match wore on and maybe didn’t exert enough pressure on them in the second half. Obviously, I am disappointed with the goal we conceded but these things happen, and we move on.”

We have a free Saturday next week before travelling to Gibbshill Park to face Harthill Royal on the 21st of September.

Kennoway Star Hearts: O. Martin; B. Mair (M. Wilson); A. Cameron; L. Young; L. Black; D. Walker; S. Johnstone; L. Bennett (E. Stanfield); D. Nugent; J. McLelland; C. Anderson (C. Hutchison). Unused Subs: A. Tabengwa Sweeney; L. Gartshore; D. Meldrum; B. Duffield.

Burntisland Shipyard: F. Russell; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt); M. Robertson; I. Millar (E. Bauld); D. Anthony; E. McQuade (C. McBay); B. Kerr; D. McBay (K. Beard); L. Taylor (J. Galloway); M. Gibb.

Referee: C. Sanderson.

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