The Shipyard produced one of their poorest performances of the season on Wednesday night as they fought out a 1-1 draw with Newburgh Juniors at Recreation Park. It was a lacklustre performance, particularly in the first half of the match, as despite having a very attack minded starting eleven there was very few chances created while the visitors created some decent opportunities, however, Shippy keeper Cole Miller was on top form and was only beaten by a well taken goal from Tyler Duddy in the 41st minute. Unsurprisingly, Declan Turner and Michael Gibb didn’t recover from the injuries they picked up on Saturday, therefore, it was all change at the back again and with Iain Millar and Kearyn Hicks still out injured and Mark James suspended, it was a makeshift back four that lined up.
It was the Shippy who created the first chance but Kris Murphy’s attempt was held by Newburgh keeper Jack Foster. The visitors went close in the 3rd minute when a free kick came back off the bar before the danger was cleared. The visitors didn’t look like a team that had found out they had been relegated the previous evening as they dominated possession and restricted the Shippy to very little sights of goal. Newburgh forced a series of corners but couldn’t find a way passed Miller until they broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Duddy found himself free inside the box and the youngster produced a cool finish to find the corner of the net.
After the interval it was a surprise to everyone that it only took the Shippy 20 seconds to draw level as Ben Anthony took the ball around the keeper and rolled it into the empty net. The Shipyard were now enjoying their best spell of the game and Evan Stanfield was unlucky to see his back post header pushed away for a corner. A piece of sheer bad luck cost the Shippy the lead as a goal bound shot struck the head of Harris Kay, but despite his best efforts to get out of the way, he was unable to do so and the chance was gone. Newburgh were by no means out of it and Miller was still busy as he gathered crosses and a couple of long range attempts. Anthony saw his 25 yard drive go wide and Dan Thomson’s left foot shot was tipped over by Foster. Mitchell Sharp went close and probably should have done better when he got a clear sight of goal with 89 minutes on the clock. Sharp was presented with another couple of half chances as the game moved into added time, however, he was unable to trouble Miller.
Manager Lee Richardson was bitterly disappointed after the match when he said “The first half was so poor and disjointed. Yes, we were a bit makeshift in some areas but I expected better. We improved after the break and the early goal seemed to settle us down, however, we didn’t manage to fashion another good opportunity other than the strike that hit Harris.”
On Saturday (27/4/24) we are on the road as we travel to face Ormiston Primrose. Kick off at New Recreation Park is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: C. Miller; K. Beard (J. Galloway); E. McQuade (S. Strang); E. Bauld; M. Robertson; H. Kay; CJ. Thomson; D. Thomson; K. Murphy (M. Moodie); B. Anthony; E. Stanfield (C. Lewis).
Newburgh Juniors: J. Foster; A. Wilson; O. McNally; C. Taylor; E. Jowitt; H. Mitchell; T. Duddy; K. Tracey; J. Fyfe; R. McPhate; M. Sharp. Subs: J. Inglis; E. Coutts; J. Lindsay; G. Gibson; B. Todd.
The Shipyard’s injury woes continued at the Oriam as loanee Declan Turner (knee) and Mikey Gibb (hamstring) both joined the lengthening queue for the treatment table. Add in CJ. Thomson temporarily leaving the field with a bloodied nose and Kai Beard coming off after not recovering from a head knock and you get the extent of the Shippy’s woes in the 4-1 defeat to Edinburgh College. The Shipyard were the architects of their own downfall as some sloppy defending gifted the college their first three goals and an unfortunate own goal only rubbed salt into the wound.
Cole Miller was called into action early on as the dived to push a shot round the post as the hosts started the game on the front foot. The young goalie was beaten a minute later when Blair Ramage was given all the time and space he needed to head home a cross from the left-hand side. Harris Kay saw his free kick from 25 yards drift wide of the target in the 21st minute. Lee Richardson was forced to make an early change to the formation and it seemed to work as the Shippy were able to get on the ball a bit more though it was still the hosts that created the clearer chances. A ball across the face of goal was deflected out for a corner and in the 25th minute Kyle Robertson failed to control a cross when in a decent position. Kris Murphy found space in the box but the big strikers shot was straight at keeper Brandyn Bain. Edinburgh went two ahead in the 36th minute and it was calamitous as far as the Shippy were concerned when a long punt up the park was not dealt with and Ramage easily converted his second of the game. CJ. Thomson saw his low drive held before the Shipyard pulled a goal back in the 41st minute. A corner fell to Ethan Bauld and the big defender lashed the ball into the net from around 15 yards. Unfortunately for the Shippy they conceded again on the stroke of half-time when the College winger had acres of space to gather the ball and pick out his teammate in the centre of goal and Robertson made no mistake from eight yards.
Miller saved a shot from distance in the 48th minute before Beard left the field and not long after Turner had to be helped off after he was the victim of a late challenge near the halfway line as he broke forward. Young Miller was doing all he could to keep his team in it and he saved well low down from a Ramage header. Dan Thomson and Evan Stanfield linked well but the former was unable to get is powerful attempt on target from a tight angle. The Shipyard conceded a fourth with ten minutes remaining thanks to an unfortunate own goal. A cross from the right beat Miller but hit the far post, however, trialist Owen Greenlaw was unable to keep the ball out despite his valiant attempt to do so. Gibb had a couple of chances before his injury as his looping header drifted over the bar and he went even closer when his shot was parried up in the air by the keeper and looked to be heading over the line until a last ditch clearance from a defender kept the ball out.
On Wednesday evening we face Newburgh Juniors at Recreation Park with the match kicking off at 7.30pm.
Edinburgh College: B. Bain; M. Snedden; L. Alexander; K. Robertson; S. El Yamani; B. Ramage; L. Graham; G. Yau; K. McPherson; A. Sloan; S. Murray. Subs: J. Caddow; G. Balde; M. Robertson; C. Gaff.
Burntisland Shipyard: C. Miller; D. Turner (O. Greenlaw); E. McQuade; E. Bauld; M. Gibb; H. Kay; E. Stanfield (C. Palmer); K. Beard (C. Lewis); K. Murphy; CJ. Thomson; D. Thomson. Unused Sub: L. Malone.
A mad five minutes turned this game on its head. With the Shippy 1-0 ahead and looking comfortable, they conceded two highly avoidable goals and saw Mark James red carded for a challenge in the middle of the park. Being a man down, particularly in the second half, didn’t trouble the Shipyard as they dominated proceedings and created some decent opportunities, however, they couldn’t find the finish to level the match at that stage. Of more concern to the Club was the serious looking knee injury suffered by Kearyn Hicks in the closing minutes, with the big defender in obvious pain as he was helped from the pitch. There was a home debut for keeper Cole Miller in an unchanged team from Saturday’s victory over Edinburgh United. The bench was strengthened with the return of Ben Anthony, Sam Glancy, Cammy Lewis, Evan Stanfield and CJ Thomson.
A home debut for young Cole.
The Shippy took the lead in the 11th minute when Kris Murphy capitalised on some hesitancy in the visitor’s defence and the big striker calmly rolled the ball beyond Dalkeith keeper Jamie Newman. The Shipyard might have been two ahead in the 24th minute when Newman came way outside his area, however, Dan Thomson couldn’t get his long range attempt on target with the keeper breathing a huge sigh of relief at the let off. Thistle equalised in the 29th minute when a corner was not headed clear and Miller Ritchie was on hand to head the ball home from around six yards out. The Shippy were dealt a second blow as Dalkeith scored again just two minutes later. It was all too easy for the Thistle man to work his way down the right hand side and Nathan Stokes knocked the cross home to give his side the lead. It was a triple whammy for the Shippy as they were reduced to ten men. Jamesy challenged for the ball in the centre circle and certainly got something on it, however, the referee deemed that his follow through was reckless and brandished a red card. It was a tough one as many thought a sending off was harsh while some thought it was merited. The Shippy were nearly on level terms just before the interval when Michael Gibb’s snapshot went narrowly wide of the target.
Big Kris scored for successive matches.
Manager Lee Richardson put on Sam Glancy after the break to bolster the centre of midfield and the diminutive midfielder made an impression as he got to grips with things. The Dalkeith defence had to be on their toes in the 56th minute as they blocked three shots in quick succession as the Shippy pushed them back. Substitute Ben Anthony shot straight at the keeper and D. Thomson turned his marker one way then the other before watching his shot drift just off target. Shortly after this Hicks collapsed to the ground in agony after he had cleared the ball up the park. It was immediately apparent it was serious and after a few minutes he was replaced by Evan Stanfield. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Shipyard and they conceded two goals in the dying minutes that did not reflect how the match had panned out. Cammy Leslie cushioned a volley in at the back post and he netted again when another cross to the back post was headed back across the goals where he was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range.
Unfortunately Hicksy had to come off injured.
We are on our travels on Saturday (20/04/2024) with Riccarton the destination as we face Edinburgh College at the Oriam. Kick off for this match is at 3.00pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: C. Miller; D. Turner; M. Robertson; E. Bauld; K. Hicks (E. Stanfield); H. Kay (CJ. Thomson); K. Beard (S. Glancy); M. James; K. Murphy (B. Anthony); D. Thomson; M. Gibb.
Dalkeith Thistle: J. Newman; R. Aitchison; R. Clelland; M. Lennie; M. Ritchie; M. Brown; J. Mackie; D. McTernan; A. Faulds; E. Grieve; N. Stokes. Subs: M. Gould; C. Leslie; C. Malone; A. McNeil; C. Young.
The Shipyard secured a welcome three points against Edinburgh United at Paties Road on Saturday. It could and should have been more comfortable than the 2-1 scoreline suggests, however, it was mission accomplished and job done. The persistent injury problems that have beset the club this season continued as Mikey Couser dropped out having broken his thumb in training and Sam Glancy wasn’t available as he nursed a minor niggle. With Scott Costello still missing thanks to a back injury an emergency keeper had to be signed and Cole Miller joined the club on Friday after a spell with East Fife U/20’s. Young Cole acquitted himself very well and was unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet as his defence failed to clear a loose ball following him pulling off a great save allowing United to claw a goal back. The pitch had recovered remarkably well following midweek postponements and despite the wet and windy conditions it was game on.
Cole Miller. Picture courtesy of East Fife FC
The Shippy got off to a great start as they took the lead in the 6th minute. A Harris Kay corner to the front post area was powerfully headed home by Mikey Gibb for his third goal of the season. Jack Adams drove over from the edge of the box in the 16th minute as the hosts looked to get back into the match. It was the Shipyard though who scored the next goal as Kris Murphy netted from six yards out after Dan Thomson set him up following a good driving run and cross. The Shippy continued to look dangerous with Gibb’s pace and Murphy’s power troubling the United rear-guard. The hosts were then dealt a blow shortly before the interval as they were reduced to ten men when Adams was shown the red card for foul and abusive language towards the referee.
Being a man down didn’t trouble Edinburgh United too much as they started the second half on the front foot and Ethan Bauld did well to block a goal bound effort. United pulled a goal back on the hour mark and it was harsh on Miller who did extremely well top tip an attempt on to the bar, however, the Shippy defence did not react quickly enough and the ball was stabbed home. Despite this setback the Shipyard were able to keep United at arm’s length as Kearyn Hicks marshalled the defence expertly and indeed it was the visitors who looked more likely to score as the match entered the closing stages. Mark James saw his powerful drive pushed round the post for a corner and Murphy headed into the keeper’s arms. The last action saw Thomson power forward and his pass found Gibb whose shot from 18 yards went narrowly wide. Manager Lee Richardson was pleased with the outcome when he said “I’m happy to get the win, which I believe we deserved. We were stretched a bit again today but once again nobody let me down. I thought Cole did extremely well for a sixteen-year-old goalkeeper making his debut.”
Dalkeith Thistle are scheduled to visit Recreation Park on Wednesday night (17/04/2024) for a rearranged league match which kicks off at 7.30pm. On Saturday (20/04/2024) we travel to The Oriam to face Edinburgh College with the kick off at 3.00pm.
Edinburgh United: F. Taylor; D. Paterson; J. Keenan; C. Young; D. Waugh; J. Egan; L. Cameron; K. Richmond; J. Adams; Praise Orji; E. Donaldson. Subs: C. Barlas; L. Marshall; O. Wayne; N. Drummond; H. McKintosh; A. Mason.
Burntisland Shipyard: C. Miller; D. Turner; M. Robertson; E. Bauld; K. Hicks; H. Kay; K. Beard (M. Moodie); M. James; K. Murphy; M. Gibb; D. Thomson (E. McQuade).
Shippy lose heavily after poor performance in front of goal.
There was a similarity between this Shipyard performance and what Scotland produced against Holland recently, both 4-0 defeats, in that they played some nice stuff but passed up gilt edged chances and at the other end defended poorly, as Armadale did not have to work too hard for their goals. Had the Shippy taken a great early chance it might have been different; however, it was not to be as the hosts took advantage of the Shipyard’s wasteful finishing and sloppy defending to ease to victory and consolidate their position in the promotion places. The Shippy welcomed back Kearyn Hicks after a long injury lay off and Harris Kay also returned to the fold as he took a place on the bench.
It was the Shipyard who had the first opportunity of the match and what a chance it was as Michael Gibb gathered a loose pass and drove forward unopposed, however, his shot was too close to Thistle keeper Andrew Murphy who saved with his legs at the expense of a corner. Sam Glancy then drove over from the edge of the box. Mikey Couser had to be quick off his line to clear the danger as a long ball beat the Shippy defence. Armadale broke the deadlock in the 15th minute and it was a poor goal to concede as far as the Shipyard were concerned. A corner played into the six-yard box was not cleared and when the ball broke to Juwan Abubakar, he was able to put it away from close range. Ethan Bauld played a great pass to Gibb who’s cross was knocked behind for a corner and when the set piece was delivered Hicks was unlucky to see his header flash wide. Couser then saved well from a Colin Strickland close range strike. Gibb was in the thick of the action again as he received the ball in the Thistle area but the makeshift striker couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and the chance was gone. Gibb had another good opportunity when Glancy found him in the box and although he lobbed the ball over Murphy his effort didn’t have enough power to find it’s way over the line. An Evan Stanfield long range volley was well over the bar just before the Shippy suffered a sickening sucker punch. A ball played out to the left found the Armadale man in what looked like an offside position but unfortunately the referee never saw it that way and Strickland slotted the ball home when he received the pass.
The Shippy made a change at the interval with Kay coming on for the unwell CJ Thomson, however, before Kay could settle into the game his team were 3-0 down as a mistake at the back allowed Declan Wood a golden opportunity and he made no mistake as he fired the ball beyond Couser. There was a controversial moment in the 58th minute as Gibb powered forward. He was clearly tugged back as he went past his marker and was through on goal. To his credit he didn’t go down but stumbled forward and gathered the ball. The keeper parried his angled shot and recovered quickly to deny Dan Thomson as he looked to capitalise on the loose ball. Could or should the referee have brought play back, awarded a free-kick and possibly issued a red card under the circumstances? Was there a clear advantage to the Shippy as he waved play on? Gibb was involved in everything and he might have done better than head wide from a corner as the Shipyard looked for a way back into the game. Any hope of a comeback was crushed in the 63rd minute when possession was coughed up far too easily from a free-kick and Armadale quickly got the ball to Strickland who made it 4-0. D. Thomson had a free kick on target but it was never powerful enough to trouble Murphy and he also had a shot off target late in the match. Armadale fired a couple of dangerous crosses into the Shippy area that thankfully nobody could get on the end of and Couser had one more good save deep in added time as he saved with his legs from substitute Kris Kelly.
This Saturday (06/04/2024) we welcome Dalkeith Thistle to Recreation Park for another league match with the game kicking off at 2.30pm.
Armadale Thistle: A. Murphy; G. Hamilton; T. Murphy; S. Thomson; E. Herriot; J. Fairley; S. McLeod; D. Kane; D. Wood; C. Strickland; J. Abubakar. Subs: C. Baillie; J. Gillespie; K. Kelly; R. MacLennan; C. Nelson; J. Tapping; A. Uphill.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Couser; E. Bauld; M. Robertson (E. McQuade); K. Hicks; M. James (K. Beard); CJ. Thomson (H. Kay); D. Turner; D. Thomson; E. Stanfield (S. Costello); M. Gibb; S. Glancy.
Following discussions between the two clubs and the East of Scotland League, it has been agreed that the Shipyard and Armadale Thistle will reverse the two league fixtures still to be played. The Shipyard will now visit Volunteer Park, Armadale on Saturday 30th March 2024 with the reverse fixture now taking place at Recreation Park, Burntisland on 18th May 2024, the last game of the season. Thanks to everyone for their assistance in making this happen.
Despite having a much healthier squad available on Wednesday night the Shippy still fell to defeat against Kennoway Star Hearts at Recreation Park. It was an unfortunate lose as, particularly in the second half, the Shippy created an abundance of chances, however, no-one had their shooting boots on as several golden opportunities were missed. When chances came the visitor’s way, they converted them and that was the difference on the night. Ben Anthony, Sam Glancy, Ellis McQuade, Kris Murphy, Matty Robertson, Evan Stanfield, Sandy Strang and CJ Thomson were all back in the fold with only Shaun Keatings dropping out due to suspension.
Kennoway opened the scoring in the 13th minute as a corner from the left-hand side found the unchallenged Campbell Tully and he was able to power his header beyond Mikey Couser and into the net. Dan Thomson saw a shot blocked as did Glancy when he latched onto the loose ball and in the 21st minute keeper Kyle Moran was at full stretch to tip away Michael Gibb’s strike. With the game in additional time at the end of the half both Ethan Bauld and Thomson missed the target as the Shippy sought an equaliser.
The Shipyard were on top in the second half with the introduction of the Anthony brothers at the interval changing the formation, as Darrell lined up as a trialist alongside brother Ben. Benji was playing wide on the right and his pace was allowing him to get crosses into the box but sadly none of his teammates could convert any of them. Murphy spurned a great chance in the 66th minute when he swivelled in the box but his hooked effort narrowly went wide of the post. At the other end Couser pulled off a tremendous save to deny the visitors from increasing their lead in the 72nd minute. There was an almighty stramash in the visitor’s box in the 77th minute but no Shippy player was able to force the ball home, though it looked like a Shipyard player blocked a goal bound effort. Another opportunity was passed up in the 81st minute before the Shippy suffered a sucker punch seconds later as a long ball up the park wasn’t dealt with and the Kennoway player took advantage and scored. The game became very feisty in the closing stages with Darrell seeing red for a second yellow, though how the Kennoway player went unpunished for his part in the incident was astonishing.
Manager Lee Richardson said after the match “We created plenty of chances but unfortunately couldn’t convert any of them and at the other end two mistakes cost us dearly. I was disappointed in the amount of times Ben was flagged for apparently being offside and also the amount fouls on Sam that went unpunished. The Darrell incident was embarrassing.”
Edinburgh South are the visitors on Saturday (23/03/2024) with the match kicking off at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Couser; E. Bauld (D. Anthony); M. Robertson; D. Turner; M. James; CJ. Thomson; M. Gibb (E. Stanfield); S. Glancy; D. Thomson; K. Beard (B. Anthony). Unused Subs: S. Costello; E. McQuade; M. Moodie; S. Strang.
Kennoway Star Hearts: K. Moran; R. McGill; M. Wilson; C. Tully; L. Young; G. Allan; L. Black; D. Walker; D. Nugent; S. McMeechan; E. Wilson. Subs: L. Bryce; D. Meldrum; A. Malcolm; R. Nicholson; C. Anderson.
