Shippy lose penalty shootout.

The Shipyard exited the League Cup in the cruellest of fashions as they lost 4-3 on penalties to Kirkcaldy & Dysart at Recreation Park on Saturday. After finishing 0-0 over ninety minutes and 1-1 after extra time the tie had to be decided from the spot and it was the visitors who prevailed. There was very little between the teams over the 120 minutes so it was no surprise how the match was ultimately decided. Although Kirkcaldy had more of the possession it was the Shippy who had the better chances and with a bit of luck would have won the tie in ninety minutes. The pitch passed a morning inspection; however, it was obvious that underfoot conditions would deteriorate as the match progressed, with an extra thirty minutes certainly not helping matters and that was probably the reason for what was a poor game with very little chances created.

The Shipyard team is starting to have a more settled look about it now and there was only one change from the last outing with Sam Glancy returning in place of Rhys Wardlaw. Young Rhys was joined on the bench by Ben Anthony who had been missing recently due to work commitments.

There was very little to entertain the crowd in the opening 35 minutes until Scott Costello was brave at the feet of a Kirkcaldy forward and a couple of minutes later a quickly taken free-kick caused concern in the Shippy back line. The Shipyard created the best chance of the match so far as not long before half-time good interplay between Dan Thomson and Sam Glancy sent Jack Wilson through on goal. The big striker looked certain to score and would have been disappointed as keeper Dion Gear saved his shot with an outstretched leg.

The game got a bit more lively in the second half with a few meaty challenges being put in as both teams upped the ante as they looked to get the initiative. The introduction of Wardlaw and B. Anthony signalled the Shippy’s intent and the changes almost paid immediate dividends when Wardlaw used his strength to get away from his marker and his powerful long range strike smashed of the inside of the post and agonisingly spun away from goal. A few minutes later the same man broke clear down the left and his low cross was just out of the reach of the inrushing Wilson. Big Jack then saw a shot on the turn go wide of the target as the Shippy enjoyed their best spell of the match. The visitors came back into the match and Costy saved well from Ryan McEwan before Mark Wilkie curled a free kick over the bar. A combination of a defender and Costy seemed to block an attempt by sub Owen Andrew as the ninety minutes ended goalless.

Wilkie ballooned an effort over seven minutes into extra time before the visitors took the lead. Jay Bridgeford burst down the left and his deep cross was converted by the unmarked Rab Kinnaird at the back post and although Costy got fingertips to the ball he couldn’t keep it out. The lead only lasted three minutes as the Shipyard equalised from the penalty spot through Wilson after he had been fouled in the box. In a lightening break Bridgeford broke clear and his driven shot came back off the post. As extra time drew to a close Wardlaw shot straight at Gear and the keeper then saved a Glancy free kick to ensure the game went to penalties. In the shootout, Anthony and Wilson were successful for the Shippy and likewise McEwan and Lewis Anderson for Kirkcaldy. Wardlaw saw his shot saved and Craig Brand hit the post for the visitors. Gear saved again, this time from Thomson and John Smith gave his team the advantage as he converted. Glancy tucked away under the pressure of having to score and with Andrew having the chance to seal it, his poorly struck kick was saved by Costello. Sudden death saw Raymond Crichton hit the outside of the post giving Kinnaird the chance to win it and he remained calm and tucked away his kick to put Kirkcaldy through to the next round where they will face Rosyth later this month.

Shipyard manager Dave Costello said “There was nothing in it really, though I thought we had the better chances and could have won it. I am proud of my players as they battled hard on a very difficult pitch. When it goes to penalties anyone can win it and ultimately, it was not to be our day.”

We are due to face Camelon on Wednesday night (05/04/2023) in a rearranged league match with the kick-off being at 7.30pm.

Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; M. James (R. O’Donnell); D. Thomson; S. Orrock (R. Crichton); I. Millar; C. Watt (R. MacAulay); S. Keating (B. Anthony); D. Anthony (R. Wardlaw); J. Wilson; S. Strang (L. Ross); S. Glancy. Unused Sub: R. Connor.

Kirkcaldy & Dysart: D. Gear; R. McEwan; J. Nouri; R. Cooper; T. McKenzie; D. Falconer; J. Smith; J. Bridgeford; C. Hannah; M. Wilkie; C. Brand. Subs: L. Anderson; O. Andrew; S. Donald; C. Finnie; R. Kinnaird; R. Wilson.

Referee: E. Walls.