Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Burntisland Shipyard. 2 Eastvale. 6

The Shipyard turned in a lacklustre performance against Eastvale, which was disappointing after some good performances in recent matches against top opposition. The Shipyard conceded an incredible SIX goals in 27 minutes either side of half-time. Unfortunately for manager Billy Whitehead,  Hamilton and Millar dropped out through suspension, Cook and Ferguson were still injured.

The Shipyard had the first chance after 11minutes when Brown received a short corner from McCue, however, his shot was held by keeper Gardner. Eastvale were next to have an effort a minute later and Chalmers saved from Armit. In 25 minutes Chalmers was called into action again, this time to save a header from a free-kick. In 27 minutes Bristow headed over from a McCue cross. Then Bristow intercepted a pass-back pushed the ball by Gardner, however, Gardner used his strength to hold Bristow off to let the ball roll out for a goal kick. At this point the Shipyard collapsed when Eastvale scored 2 goals in as many minutes through a fine Beaumont strike and a Miller shot after running through unchallenged. The Shipyard rallied briefly and saw a Bristow shot go over the bar. Right on half-time the unmarked Armit made it 3 – 0 to Eastvale.

The second half continued in the same fashion with Eastvale in control and after 51 minutes it was Kerr who was allowed to run through unchalleged to make it 4 – 0. The Shipyard again rallied and Aitken saw his free-kick saved and O’Hanlon also saw his shot saved. In the 61st minute Eastvale scored a fifth when again the forward was free and he lobbed Chalmers. 3 minutes later it was 6 – 0 when the ball broke in the box to the Eastvale player and he fired it home. At this stage it seemed that Eastvale were going to score at will, however, substitute Mark Brough pulled a goal back for the Shipyard after rounding the keeper. In 85 minutes the Shipyard pulled another goal back when Brian Muirhead scored the goal of the game with an excellent free-kick from 25 yards. All in all Eastvale fully deserved their emphatic win and left the Shipyard looking forward to the end of the season and the chance to rebuild.

Teams: Burntisland Shipyard: Chalmers; Aitken; Brown; Muirhead; Morris; Huskie; Forrest; Johnston; O’Hanlon; Bristow(Brough); McCue. Unused Sub: Allan.

Eastvale: Gardner; Thomson; Halley; Kennedy; Winn; Beaumont; Kerr; Forrester; Miller; Armit; Coull. Subs: McLeish; Kirk; Laing.

Referee: K. Maskell.