Improved performance as Shippy record comfortable win.

The Shipyard produced their best performance of the season so far as they comfortably saw off Lochore Welfare, winning 3-1 at Recreation Park on Saturday. The only negatives were that more goals might have been scored and the concession of a late goal denying a much sought after clean sheet. Otherwise, there was much to be pleased about with three different goalscorers, some very good individual performances and more depth to the squad with Ross Lennie and Dale Allan returning to the fold after injury layoffs. Reece Brown and Raymond Crichton returned to the starting eleven with Ryan O’Donnell and the suspended Tyler McKenzie dropping out. Welfare had three ex-Shipyard players in their ranks with Adam Doig, Ethan Anderson and Sean Cusick returning to Recreation Park.

The Shippy had a great chance in the 3^rd minute as Brown found himself clear, however, his lobbed effort from 22 yards over the advancing Jed Crowe lacked direction and was well off target. A corner routine then found the unmarked Ben Anthony but his shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper. B. Anthony saw a strike deflected that Crowe stopped as the Shipyard dominated the early proceedings. The visitors had their first attempt in the 21^st minute, however, Michael Gibb saved well with his legs. Jay Bridgeford dragged a shot wide before the pressure told and the Shippy took the lead on the half hour mark. Good build up between Shaun Keatings and Matty Miller set up B. Anthony and his accurate strike found the corner of the net. Gibb held a long effort above his head and at the other end Keatings saw his powerful shot saved by Crowe. Darrell Anthony capitalised on hesitancy in the visitor’s defence, winning the ball and feeding his brother Ben who in turn unselfishly passed back to his brother and Darrell easily found the net to double the Shippy’s advantage. Lochore had a headed effort from a set piece off target but it was the Shipyard who scored again as the half-time whistle loomed. Great play down the right saw the ball played across the six-yard box and Brown was on hand at the back post to knock the ball into the empty net.

Lochore came out for the second half in a more determined fashion which saw them have a lot more of the ball without unduly troubling Gibb in the Shippy goals, though Dean Hunter produced a good block to clear a dangerous attack. The action continued to be around the Lochore box and Crowe reacted well to dive on the ball after it deflected off a defender and was heading into the net. There was a controversial moment in the 71^st minute when a Gavin Ross header was saved and Sandy Strang’s follow up Shot was cleared off the line before the big midfielder was fouled in the box. Unfortunately for the Shippy the referee was unsighted and unable to award the spot kick. The visitors enjoyed a better spell as the game entered the final fifteen minutes as a shot across the face of goal was diverted for a corner. There was a header from a corner off target before and identical situation produced a goal for the visitors as Cusick headed home with a few minutes remaining. Gibb saved well as Lochore sniffed a possible comeback, however, that was scuppered as Joe Dawson received a second yellow card. Indeed, the closest we came to another goal was when Crowe produced a fine double save to deny Brown. All in all, it was a good day at the office for the Shippy as they look to climb the table. League football takes a break next week (21/11/2020) as we travel to Bo’ness United for a Soccershop Challenge Cup match. Kick off for the cup tie is 3.00pm.

Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; M. Miller; R. Crichton; D. Hunter (R. Lennie); G. Ross; S. Strang; S. Keatings; D. Anthony; B. Anthony; R. Brown; J. Bridgeford. Unused Subs: S. Costello; R. O’Donnell; D. Allan; P. Bell.

Referee: B. Dickson.