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The Shipyard started their East of Scotland campaign in great style as they easily saw off Gala Fairydean at Recreation Park, winning by four goals to one. Billy Whitehead’s options were curtailed by the absence of five players from his squad but those that were selected did not let him down as, after a nervous start they stuck to their task and gained a comfortable win. Continue Reading
The Shipyard rounded off their pre-season build up with a closed doors friendly against Sunday Amateurs Coadys. Goals from Mark Brough (2), Trialist (2), Lee Small, Stuart Gray, Graeme Neish and Craig Hatton secured an emphatic win though Coadys deserved more than their solitary strike from Dale Carstairs.
After missing some early chances Coadys were made to pay as the Shipyard rattled Six past Jason Houston in the first half, including a rare header from Lee Small. Coadys again started well in the second half and got the goal they deserved when Carstairs headed home. It wasn’t until late in the game that the Shipyard added to their tally with fine strikes from Brough and Hatton.
The Shipyard continued their pre-season build up with a comfortable 2 – 0 win over junior opponents Edinburgh United at Recreation Park. Two headed goals, one in the first half from Craig Hatton and one in the second from Mark Hamilton sealed the win. Heavy bursts of rain made conditions for both players and spectators difficult but it was the Shipyard players who handled them better.
Gray and Hamilton went close for the Shipyard early on and Andy Martin was tested twice midway through the half by the United forwards. The Shipyard continued to press and took the lead in strange fashion when Hamilton’s wayward shot was expertly headed into the net by Craig Hatton. Prior to half-time Stuart gray was unlucky to see his fierce strike go just wide.
Neish almost set up Hatton with a great piece of work, however, a second goal soon arrived. Mark Hamilton rose majestically around the penalty spot to head home Shaun Lamont’s corner. The Shipyard continued to dominate proceedings with substitutes Dow and Hay both going close, forcing the United keeper into fingertip saves. Manager Whitehead was naturally delighted after the game saying “I thought everyone played well today and we dominated the game for long spells”.
The Shipyard suffered a narrow defeat in a very entertaining friendly against Bannockburn at Recreation Park, losing by the odd goal in five. With the kick off to the new season only two weeks away manager Billy Whitehead used the match to try out some more players as he tries to mould his squad.
Both keepers were in the action early on making good saves before Bannockburn took the lead with a well worked goal. After good passing in the midfield the ball was played through to the striker, who slotted the ball past Andy Martin. Craig Russell and Craig Hatton both hit the woodwork before the latter drew the Shipyard level when he beat the keeper to a high ball and nodded it into the net. Bannockburn regained the lead after they were awarded a penalty after Owen McCue was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box. The resultant kick was duly dispatched beyond Martin.
The second half started in the same vein as the first with both teams attacking and it was the Shipyard who scored next when Hatton did well on the right-hand before squaring to Graeme Neish who stroked the ball home. Bannockburn scored what proved to be the winner when the Shipyard lost possession in their own half, though take nothing away from the finish when the player engineered himself some space before leaving Martin helpless with a precise shot. Brough, Hatton and Neish all went close for the Shipyard, but with Bannockburn very dangerous on the counter the result was probably just about right. Manager Whitehead said after the match “It was another good workout against a very good team. Losing Bissett and Gray to injury during the match upset our rhythm, but I was pleased with the performance of certain individuals and the team as a whole”.
The Shipyard shocked the Strollers by snatching a late winner in this pre season friendly at Marine Drive, as a goal from A Trialist in the closing stages secured a fortunate but hard fought win. The afore mentioned trialist should have put the Shipyard ahead in the first minute, but shot wide with only the keeper to beat. The Strollers were dominating the play and created a couple of chances before they went ahead from a soft free kick. When the ball was crossed into the box the player headed the ball against the post and was on hand to knock the rebound into the net.
The Shipyard drew level early in the second half when AN Other was fouled in the box and the Shipyard were awarded a penalty. Mark Brough did his usual immaculate job from the spot. The Strollers were putting on a lot of pressure and hit the post from a free kick. Another good chance was missed before Sub keeper Andy Martin finger tipped a fierce shot onto the post. After an almighty scramble in the Shipyard box the ball was played up to A Trialist, but he delayed and the chance was lost. Jammy Whyte was performing well at the back and made a couple of great challenges. The winning goal came when Andy Martin cleared long up the park and A Trialist latched onto the ball and coolly slotted it beyond the keeper. After the match Billy Whitehead said “I am pleased to get a win as it will boost the boys confidence, we played well in spells, though Strollers dominated the possession and missed some decent chances”.
The Shipyard kicked off their pre season with a 3 – 3 draw in a hard fought contest against top Stirling amateur team Braehead. Two goals from Paul Wilson and one from new signing Callum Bissett were the Shipyard scorers. The Shipyard were twice ahead in the match and then a goal down as the match finished all square. Several trialists were in the Shipyard line up, including a couple of youngsters who showed up well, as manager Billy Whitehead declared himself satisfied with the run out and said “For our first game we did well, especially with some of the boys unfamiliar with each other. It was a hard fought contest against a good side”.
The Shipyard will kick off life in the East of Scotland League with a Qualifying League Cup tie at home to Gala Fairydean on Saturday 4th August KO 2.30pm. On Wednesday 8th August the Shipyard travel to play Edinburgh City under the lights at Meadowbank Stadium KO 7.45pm. A journey to Duns follows on the 11th August, then Tynecastle visit Burntisland on the 18th August to complete the section.
Note: Should the Shipyard or Gala Fairydean be drawn in the preliminary round of the Scottish Cup, the tie on the 4th August will be postponed.
A goal in the first minute and another in the last ensured the points stayed in Windygates as the Shipyard ended the league season in sixth place. With the possibility of a third place finish up for grabs the Shipyard were boosted by the surprise return from injury of Paul Ferrier who took a place on the bench. Mark Brough also returned from injury having missed out against Rosyth last week. Continue Reading
