Unfortunate own goal proves decisive.

The Shipyard fell to another narrow defeat, this time against Dunipace at Westfield Park on Saturday. On the balance of play and chances created the hosts probably merited their victory, that being said, it was an unfortunate own goal that was ultimately the difference. There was the welcome of Craig Watt to the Shippy starting eleven following his long lay off while Ben Anthony took a place on the bench after picking up a knock last week.

The Shipyard almost got off to a great start as Darrell Anthony played in Sam Glancy and the diminutive midfielder was so unlucky to see his powerful strike hit the bar, with the referee deeming it had taken a slight deflection as he awarded a corner. Dunipace worked their way into the match and their first chance saw Sam Colley drag a shot wide. Lewis Ross then cleared the ball off the line before Scott Costello saved a Colley header. The hosts took the lead in the 34th minute when Marty Wright turned in a low cross at the front post.

Cammy Lewis replaced Scott Orrock at the break and the young winger saw a shot go wide after great run from Dan Thomson. The match was end to end with Costello sprawling to divert a shot away for a corner. Back at the other end Glancy drove wide from the edge of the box before Costello saved a close range attempt from Wright. Aaron Whitelaw missed a glorious chance to double his team’s lead when he somehow scooped the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score. In the 74^th minute the Shippy defence had to be on its toes as the ball bounced around the box with half-hearted claims for a penalty on a couple of occasions, though mainly from the crowd rather than the players. Shaun Keatings hooked an effort over the bar before Dunipace scored a second goal in fortunate circumstances. A determined run from Colley saw him hit the bye line and his driven cross was turned into his own net by the unlucky Lewis Ross as he tried to cut out the cross. There was a flashpoint as the game entered the closing stages as Colley complained of being elbowed by Shipyard captain Iain Millar. The Dunipace player sought retribution and his challenge on Millar moments later was shocking and merited more than the yellow card he received. Pace sub Kier Stevenson saw his shot deflected wide and another shot from the edge of the box was blocked. The Shippy pulled a goal back in the 83^rd minute as Lewis tapped in at the back post, however, that is only part of the story as firstly Glancy hit the woodwork for a second time as his fierce shot struck the post. Millar then saw his shot blocked and when the ball was played into the back post area Lewis was all on his own looking suspiciously offside but he knocked the ball into the net leaving the referee to make a decision. Dunipace were able to see out the final few minutes as they ran the clock down with the Shipyard unable to create another clear cut chance.

Next Saturday we are on cup duty as we welcome Armadale Thistle to Recreation Park for a King Cup 1^st round match.

Dunipace: A. Gilchrist; L. McCroary; M. Galloway; A. Grant; T. McArthur; D. Morrison; S. Colley; J. Herron; M. Wright (K. Stevenson); A. Kemp (C. McNeil); A. Whitelaw. Unused Subs: C. Langton; M. Wallace; R. Pow; R. Fleming; W. Greenhorn.

Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; D. Thomson; R. O’Donnell; L. Ross; I. Millar; C. Watt; S. Keatings (R. Crichton); S. Orrock (C. Lewis); J. Wilson; D. Anthony (B. Anthony); S. Glancy. Unused Subs: J. Galloway; S. Strang; R. McAuley; R. Connor.

Referee: J. Fairley.