Resilient Shippy bag three points.
The Shipyard secured a massive three points on Saturday as they came from behind to beat third placed Newtongrange Star 2-1 at Recreation Park. It was a vital win given the result at Dunbar, as Coldstream also picked up a valuable three points, making next week’s meeting at the Shippy vital for both teams. That being said, there are eight clubs involved in a relegation battle, where everyone from Leith Athletic down will be concerned about their position.
Thankfully the pitch passed a morning inspection with the goalmouth at the Meadowfield end giving cause for concern but with the forecasted rain not materialising, everything was set fair for what turned out to be an enthralling contest, where effort was more evident than flair. The Shipyard side showed one change from the last outing against Stoneyburn with Sandy Strang replacing the unavailable Sam Glancy.
The Shippy were behind as early as the fifth minute when the visitors were awarded a penalty when the referee deemed that Craig Watt had fouled his opponent as he attempted to clear the ball. It was by no means a stonewaller, however, the official had made his decision and pointed to the spot. Liam McIntosh gave Scott Costello no chance as he fired the ball into the corner of the net. The Shipyard were level after fifteen minutes in what was their first attempt at goal when Rhys Wardlaw showed great strength to hold off two defenders and although his shot was not struck cleanly, Star keeper Liam McCathie, despite a valiant effort, could not keep it out of the net. Nitten had a great chance to regain the lead in the 21st minute but Costello saved the low shot well with his legs. There was little in the way of goalmouth action until the final few minutes of the half when Costello produced a double save with some from help from Scott Orrock to deny the visitors again. The Shippy defence were standing strong and Costy tipped a strike over the bar, though it looked like it was going over anyway.
The Shipyard took the lead four minutes into the second half with a well worked set piece. A corner from the left was headed back across goal by Mark James and Jack Wilson was on hand to nod the ball home despite the best efforts of the Star defence to keep it out and it was quite clear the big striker’s effort had crossed the line. The Shipyard came under a whole lot of pressure as the match wore on with the visitor’s dominating possession and keeping the Shippy pinned back, albeit Costy was not having to make many saves as his defence stood firm and repelled everything that Nitten threw at them, with the main source being high balls played into the box by right back Michael Jones which was food and drink for big Millzy and co.
Everyone will be pleased to know that Big Jack’s clearance in the second half, which disappeared over the houses, that the ball was found in the burn behind the Jubilee before it headed out to sea.
Manager Dave Costello was all smiles after the game when he said “Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Everyone gave me what I was looking for and left nothing out there. There were some outstanding performances but it would be a little unfair to single out anyone in particular but obviously I was extremely pleased with the defensive aspect of their play.”
Next Saturday (25/03/2023) we welcome Coldstream to Recreation Park for what will be a vital game at the bottom end of the table. With both teams confident following their important wins this weekend it should be a cracker, with hopefully a big crowd in to the back the team.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; M. James; D. Thomson; S. Orrock; I. Millar; C. Watt; S. Keatings (L. Ross); D. Anthony; R. Wardlaw (R. Crichton); J. Wilson; S. Strang. Unused Subs: A. Brown; R. MacAulay; R. O’Donnell.
Newtongrange Star: L. McCathie; L. Peden; R. Ferguson; S. Tait; S. Conlon; A. Neilson; L. McIntosh; A. Muir; C. Robertson; A. Elliot; M. Jones. Subs: A. Hamilton; S. Hay; D. Ballantyne; L. Imrie; N. Rendall.
Referee: C. Stirling.