Season ends with home defeat.

The curtain came down on the Shipyard’s season on Saturday and unfortunately it was somewhat a case of the same old story as too many goals were conceded all too easily as Tranent ran out 5-2 winners at Recreation Park. 39 league goals were scored this season, which is very close to the amount that the 7^th and 8^th placed teams scored and more than 10^th placed Tynecastle. However, it’s the goals against column that makes disappointing reading with no fewer that 87 conceded, with only bottom placed Eyemouth United losing more. No-one was in any doubt about the task that, not only the Shipyard but all of last season’s East of Scotland League clubs faced in this transitional season with all the newcomers joining the EoSL, so we should take stock without any knee jerk reactions and plan ahead for the 2019/20 campaign. With that in mind Stuart was able to field a couple of trialists that he could get a look at before the close of the season.

Not for the first time the Shippy got off to a flying start as Robbie Crawford laid the ball on a plate for Andy Watt to knock home with barely two minutes on the clock. The game was evenly contested for the next twenty minutes or so before Tranent drew level when Dean Whitson smashed the ball past Ryan Adamson at his near post. The same two players were involved a minute later though this time it was the Shipyard keeper who came out on top with a good save. A. Trialist cleared an attempt off the Shippy line then Adamson saved again, this time from Jamie Devlin. Tranent took the lead in the 40^th minute through a controversial goal as Bradley Barrett appeared to be yards offside as he burst clear, however, he showed good composure as he slotted the ball across Adamson and into the net. The shippy created a decent chance just before the break as B. Trialist did well to get behind the visitor’s defence but his cross was cleared by Neil Smeaton who was alert to the danger.

Watt couldn’t emulate his start to the first period when he blasted over from inside the box in the 46^th minute as the Shippy tried to get on level terms. Tranent got a third goal following a ball over the top that had Adamson racing from his line, however, Barrett got to the ball first, took it round the keeper and knocked the ball into the unguarded net. Ben Miller made it 4-1 when he was first to react after Adamson could only parry a fierce strike to the feet of the Tranent substitute and Miller notched his double in the 68^th minute with a shot from the edge of the box. Shippy sub Reece Bernard was unlucky to see his flicked effort deflected for a corner but he was not to be denied as he scored with a similar goal to Barrett’s first when he struck the ball across the keeper and into the far corner with 12 minutes remaining. C. Trialist was unlucky to see his drive clear the crossbar after Bernard cut the ball back to him.

Burntisland Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway, G. Skinner (C. Simpson), R. O’Donnell, A. Trialist, R. Lennie, R. Crawford (R. Bernard), S. Glancy, A. Watt, B. Trialist, R. Brown (C. Trialist). Unused Subs: R. Kinnaird & R. Connor.

Tranent Juniors: H. Alysandratos, C. Reid, S. Rutherford, N. Smeaton, C. Gray, L. Hawkins, R. Berry, G. Nelson, D. Whitson, J. Devlin, B. Barrett. Subs: S. Inglis, C. McKenzie, B. Miller, M. McGovern.

Referee: B. Cooper.