Late strike secures win.
A late strike from top scorer Kevin Masson was enough to see the Shipyard take all three points against Heriot Watt University at a sometimes snowy Recreation Park. In a game of few clear cut chances it was the home team that had the most and best opportunities and ultimately deserved their victory. Graeme Haywood, Pete Bell and Ewan Henderson came in for Andy Macdonald, Scott Devaney and Stephen Stark in three changes that manager Raymond Drury was forced to make after Monday night’s defeat to Lothian Thistle HV.
The Shippy came flying out of the traps and almost took the lead in the first few seconds when Henderson was played in on the right hand side of the box and his lofted effort drifted just wide of the far post. The big striker was involved again four minutes later when he headed wide from an Iain Millar long throw. The students hit back in the 8th minute when Shippy keeper Mark Rowbotham had to save low at his near post as Sean Campbell tried his luck from a narrow angle. Heriot Watt keeper Craig Saunders then had to react quickly as an Adam Doig strike took a deflection on its way to goal. The rest of the first half saw neither team create much in the way of goal scoring opportunities though Heriot Watt shaded possession.
The visitors had the first attempt of the second half when Christopher Lane drove narrowly wide from all of 25 yards in the 52nd minute. Masson drove a shot across the face of goal and just wide of the far post after a deft lay off by Henderson. Millar’s long throw was a threat and Masson headed over from one in the 71st minute. Saunders then pulled off the save of the match when at full stretch he pushed away an angled Henderson drive from around 12 yards. At the other end Rowbotham saved from Neil Robb as the students showed they were more than capable of getting the opening goal. In the 84th minute the Heriot Watt defence allowed a long ball to bounce in the box and Masson was able to latch onto the ball but his lobbed effort narrowly cleared the bar. Amazingly the same scenario developed a minute later and this time Masson made no mistake as he lofted the ball over Saunders and into the back of the net. The Shippy were able to see out the remaining minutes without any real threat on their goal and went on to gain a well merited win.
Kev Masson lobs HWU keeper for Shippy winner.
The manager was pleased after the game when he said “We got a great result and the team created a lot of good openings though it seemed like a goal was never going to come. Also we defended well when we had to and it was also good keeping a clean sheet, which should give the guy’s confidence going into Wednesday night’s game”.
On Wednesday 20th April the Shippy visit Civil Service Strollers (KO 6.45pm) before hosting Duns on Saturday 23rd (KO 2.30pm).
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Rowbotham; G. McCann; B. Couper (R. McCann); G. Haywood; I. Millar; P. Bell; C. Lowe; M. James (A. MacDonald; E. Henderson; K. Masson; A. Doig.
Heriot Watt University: C. Saunders; M. Allison (L. Walker); N. Laurenson; F. Watt; J. Daniels; R. Higgins (C. Donnelly); N. Robb; C. Lane (A. Dowds); S. Campbell; F. Wilson; S. Munro.
Referee: P. Hanlon.