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 7th and 8th placed teams scored and more than 10th 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.
Ryan Adamson was in the thick of the action.
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 40th 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 46th
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 68th 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.
The first match in the second century of the Shipyard’s existence did not go well as they were well beaten after a five-star performance from Lothian striker Jamie Docherty who scored all five of his side’s goals. The former St Johnstone player made the Shippy defence endure a torrid afternoon, as they could not cope with his pace and skill throughout the ninety minutes. Indeed, the nineteen-year-old could probably have added to his tally had Shipyard keeper Ryan Adamson not been in such fine form. Was a more cynical approach required to stop him? Let’s just say there were former Shipyard defenders in attendance who would have not have allowed him the freedom he got every time he gained possession. Nonetheless, the young man deserves enormous credit for a magnificent performance.
Ryan Adamson produced some fine saves.
There was
not much in the way of goalmouth action in the first quarter of an hour with
the teams evenly matched at this stage, however, the visitors started to
dominate after this and only superb defending from Jordan Galloway denied
Hutchy Vale the opener. Docherty didn’t have his sights set yet as he missed
the target in the 18th minute. Twice in a matter of a minute Adamson
pulled of good saves to keep his side level with his stop from Ryan Hutchison
particularly impressive. Adamson saved again in the 28th minute with
his team somewhat under pressure. Andy Watt had the Shippy’s first attempt on
target in the 33rd minute when he nodded a Grant Skinner free-kick
towards goal though Kevan Swain saved comfortably. The match swung firmly in
Hutchy Vale’s in the 37th minute. Once again, a long ball over the
top caused havoc in the Shipyard defence and with Adamson out of his goal Sandy
Strang bundled over the Hutchy Vale forward leaving referee Stephen Gill no
choice but to show Strang a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. When
the dust had settled Docherty smashed the free-kick low into the net to notch
his first of the afternoon.
sandy Strang saw red for denying goalscoring opportunity.
The Shipyard came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth and were level in the 49th minute, albeit thanks to a slip from Dylan Moore. Watt gathered the ball and squared to Reece Brown who knocked home his tenth goal of the season. The Shippy then had three good chances as Robbie Crawford cut in from the left only to see his shot blocked and when the loose ball broke to Rab Kinnaird at the edge of the box Swain was at full stretch to turn his fierce strike away for a corner. From the resultant set piece Watt was frustrated that he could not get his header on target. Adamson produced two good saves in the 53rd and 56th minutes while at the other end Crawford had another shot blocked. The Shipyard defence wilted in the 73rd minute as Docherty ran through and confidently beat Adamson to regain the lead. Ross Lennie almost got the Shipyard level as his powerful drive was cleared off the line but with the Shippy defence tiring under the warm conditions and being a man light Hutchy or Docherty for that matter, took control. The youngster was now finding acres of space and he ensured the victory as he completed his hat-trick with a fine finish. Docherty remarkably got his fourth and fifth goals in the closing stages with two more quality finishes with his solo effort for the fifth probably the best of the match.
Reece Brown celebrates his goal.
The last
match of what has been a roller coaster season takes place at Recreation park
on Saturday (27/04/2019) with Tranent juniors being the visitors. Kick-off is
at 2.30pm
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway, G. Skinner, R. O’Donnell, S. Strang, B.
Hutchison (R. Bernard), R. Brown, R. Lennie (P. Bell), A. Watt, R. Kinnaird (C.
Simpson), R. Crawford. Unused Sub: R. Connor.
Lothian
Thistle HV: K. Swann, L. O’Donnell, R. Smith, D. Moore, P. Crawford, A. Muir,
R. Hutchison, K. Brown, S. Wringe, N. Doherty, J. Docherty. Subs: M. McIntosh &
F. Hendry.
Shippy record second comfortable win over Eyemouth.
The Shipyard eased to a comfortable 5-0 win over rock bottom Eyemouth United at Recreation Park on Saturday, with the win ensuring that the Shippy would not finish in the bottom two of Conference B, furthermore, the possibility of climbing up another place in table is still viable with six more points up for grabs. Tynecastle sit just two points ahead of the Shippy with the Edinburgh side having one match less remaining. That being said, it will be a difficult task with Lothian Thistle HV and Tranent Juniors providing the opposition in the final two fixtures at Recreation Park this season.
It took the Shippy a mere twenty seconds to open the scoring with Robbie Crawford being the man on target. Andy Watt got the second in the 25th minute and another strike from Crawford, his fifth of the season, just before the break, more or less ensured the points would be staying in Burntisland.
Robbie Crawford nets against Eyemouth.
In the second half Charlie Simpson added a fourth and Watt also got a brace when he completed the scoring with ten minutes remaining. The big striker is now breathing down the neck of Reece Brown in the race for the top goalscorer award as he finds himself only one behind the young striker.
Watty scores his second against Eyemouth.
The Shipyard
host Lothian Thistle HV on Saturday (20/04/2019) with a 2.30pm kick-off.
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway, G. Skinner, R. O’Donnell, S. Strang, B.
Hutchison, R. Crawford, S. Glancy, A. Watt, R. Kinnaird, C. Simpson. Subs: R.
Bernard, R. Brown, A. Trialist.
Eyemouth
United: E. Robertson, J. Clarke, A. Spiers, R. Clelland, A. Mutch, M. Gillan, D.
Hendy, R. Aitchison, A. Wilson, E. Mendes, J. Ray. Subs: J. Dougal, P. Atorough,
R. Cargill, R. Bowling.
The
concession of two early goals had the Shipyard staring defeat in the face
before six minutes had elapsed and despite rallying before half-time the damage
had been done as hosts Sauchie ran out 5-2 winners at Beechwood Park. Sam
Glancy and Rab Kinnaird were unavailable for the trip to Clackmannanshire and
they were replaced in the starting eleven by Sandy Strang and Andy Watt. Reece
Brown swapped places with Callum McAulay as the latter dropped to the bench.
The Shipyard unfortunately continued a trend of by conceding an early and highly avoidable goal with four minutes on the clock. A free-kick played in from the right-hand side saw the Shippy defence at sixes and sevens and when the ball was headed back across the six-yard box David Cross had the simple task of nodding the ball into the open goal. It was 2-0 within a couple of minutes when possession was lost deep inside the Shipyard half and when the ball was played through to centre forward Ross Crawford, he slotted the ball under Ryan Adamson to leave the Shippy looking at a heavy defeat already. Good build up play saw Watt just fail to make contact when the cross came in and when Jordan Galloway and Watt combined there were no takers at the back post for the former’s fine delivery. The Shipyard fell three behind in the 31st minute after a good piece of skill on the bye line from Conor Langton who cut the ball back for Iain Diack to lash the ball high into the net. Things got worse for the Shippy a few minutes later when again the ball was lost far too easily allowing Crawford to help himself to another goal. Just when it looked like all was lost the Shipyard started to play and in the final three minutes before the interval the deficit was halved. Firstly, Strang gathered the ball following a corner and showed good composure to turn and fire the ball into the net from around ten yards. Good work between Grant Skinner and Robbie Crawford saw a fine cross delivered into the box and Watt was on hand to bullet home his header. Given what had happened in the previous 42 minutes, remarkably, the Shipyard were back in the game albeit with a lot of work still to do.
A rare goal from Sandy Strang helped reduce the deficit.
Adamson
denied Crawford his hat-trick as he blocked the big striker’s effort with his
legs, however, Crawford did not have to wait long as he got his third goal in
the 63rd minute as he beat Adamson at the second attempt after he
broke through the centre of the Shipyard defence. Strang saw his header from a
McAulay corner blocked and then the Shippy’s Crawford cut in from the left
evading a couple of challenges before shooting too straight at Sauchie keeper Darren
Dolan. The second half was punctuated with offside decisions as both teams’ attacks
were constantly thwarted by the linesman’s raised flag. The Shipyard were
reduced to 10 men as substitute McAulay received a second yellow as the game
moved into added time. A final opportunity fell to Reece Brown but the
youngster blasted over from the corner of the six-yard box.
Sauchie: D.
Dolan, S. Houston, S. Dolan, D. Cross, T. Hewitt, M. Sharp, I. Diack (M.
Finlayson), D. Taylor, R. Crawford, A. McTaggert (R. Conville), C. Langton (A.
McKeown). Unused Subs: D. Cummings & C. Cairney.
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway, G. Skinner, R. O’Donnell, S. Strang, B.
Hutchison, R. Brown, R. Lennie, A. Watt, C. Simpson (C. McAulay), R. Crawford
(R. Bernard). Unused Subs: P. Bell & R. Connor.
The Shipyard
can justifiably point to some poor finishing, poor refereeing decisions, good
goalkeeping from Aaron Jones and they can also throw some bad luck into the
mix, however, it was unquestionably bad defending that resulted in this heavy defeat.
Four of Haddington’s five goals were in the highly avoidable category, though
all credit to Shaun Hill who produced a sublime finish for the third goal. The
Shipyard squad was bolstered by the return of Sam Glancy and Sandy Strang after
both served a suspension last week, with Ross Lennie also back having missed
the trip to Eyemouth. Jonny Galloway was obviously absent as he starts his
recovery from a dislocated elbow.
Sam Glancy saw his piledriver hit the post.
The opening exchanges
were fairly even with neither side taking control of proceedings, however, that
all changed with a goal out of nothing for the hosts. A long ball thumped up
the park was missed by the Shipyard defence and that allowed Declan Quinn to
gather the ball and fire it past Ryan Adamson. The Shippy went oh so close to
levelling in the 23rd minute but Glancy’s piledriver from 22yards crashed
off the inside of the post with Haddington scrambling the loose ball away.
Lennie was afforded a free header from a corner but could not direct his
attempt on target and Rab Kinnaird missed a great chance when put through on
the keeper with Jones blocking his shot with his legs. The clinical finishing
that the Shipyard produced against Dalkeith and Eyemouth was missing here at
Millfield and it was something they would rue as the match progressed. Haddington
finished the half stronger and a superb Lennie tackle denied them and Gordon
Harris should have done better when he found himself in a good position inside
the area. The Shipyard had played some good football in the opening 45 minutes
and could count themselves unlucky to be behind at the break.
The Shipyard
made things a whole lot harder by conceding another sloppy goal in the 49th
minute. A deep cross was allowed to find its way to the back post and Hill
headed down past a static Shippy defence and the ball bounced into the corner
of the net. The Shipyard might have found a way back into the match when a
Robbie Crawford shot was handled in the box, however, referee Hogg saw nothing
amiss and waved play on. Adamson kept it at 2-0 as he saved well from Hill
following the ball being lost at the edge of the box and at the other end Jones
did likewise as he thwarted Reece Brown after good build up between Grant
Skinner and Crawford. The game erupted in controversy in the 72nd
minute when Jones came out of his box and clattered into Brown with the loose
ball breaking to Kinnaird who missed the gaping target from 18yards. The
referee brought play back for the free-kick, ignored the stricken forward who was
in need of treatment and remarkably did not punish the Haddington keeper. To
rub salt into the Shipyard wounds Jones then pulled off a superb save to deny
Callum McAulay from the resultant set piece. These events seemed to deflate the
Shipyard players and when Hill produced his great strike in the 75th
minute to make it 3-0 it was game over. A low ball across the face of the
Shipyard box two minutes later found Darren Leslie and he had the simple task
of putting the ball in the net. Another low cross in the final minute found the
unmarked Andrew Jones and he tapped home to complete the rout. Following some
very good showings of late the Shippy came down to earth with a bump and will
need to improve defensively if they are to climb out of the bottom two as the
season draws to a conclusion.
Haddington
Athletic: Aaron Jones, R. King, G. Harris, J. Hamill, A. Simpson, J. Keenan, D.
Leslie, S. Hill, D. Quinn, A. McNeill, Andrew Jones. Subs: G. Brown, J.
Chapman, G. Nicholson, R. Aitchison, D. Simmons.
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway, G. Skinner, R. O’Donnell, R. Lennie, S.
Glancy, C. Simpson (R. Brown), B. Hutchison, R. Kinnaird, C. McAulay (S.
Strang), R. Crawford. Unused Subs: P. Bell & R. Connor.
The gloss was somewhat taken off the Shipyard’s emphatic win over Eyemouth United at Warner Park on Saturday by the serious injury suffered by Jonny Galloway. With barely two minutes on the clock the young midfielder landed awkwardly and dislocated his elbow and after a trip to the hospital, everyone’s worst fears were confirmed, with the news that he will miss the rest of the season as he recovers from the injury. With the Shippy looking to catch the teams immediately above them in the table this was certainly something of a setback in the quest to finish the season on a high.
Jonny Galloway suffered dislocated elbow.
With Callum McAulay on to replace the stricken Galloway the Shipyard set about looking to win their third league game in four and despite struggling to capitalise on the possession and chances that they had, the Shippy did go in a goal ahead at the break thanks to a Charlie Simpson strike. Ben Hutchison saw a header parried away by keeper Connor Muir and McAulay’s free-kick was too straight to trouble the big keeper. The Shipyard made the breakthrough in the 24th minute when Simpson stabbed the loose ball home after Eyemouth failed to clear a corner. Reece Brown headed over from a Rab Kinnaird cross and Hutchison was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post. The hosts had a spell of pressure and Andrew Patterson blasted over, meanwhile, Ross Aitchison dragged an effort wide. The action returned to the other end with Robbie Crawford sclaffing an attempt over and Simpson being denied by Muir who blocked with his legs.
Grant Skinner turned in a man of the match performance.
The Shipyard were a damn sight more prolific when opportunities came their way at the start of the second half as they scored five goals in a devastating twelve minutes spell. The first came in the 52nd minute when Crawford volleyed home a Simpson cross and two minutes later Simpson nodded home Grant Skinner’s pinpoint cross. Kinnaird saw a strike cleared off the line but within seconds he found the net to make it 4-0. It was five in the 61st minute when an Eyemouth defender could only turn Simpson’s cross cum shot into his own net. Kinnaird netted his second in the 64th minute with Skinner again the provider. The Shippy were furious to concede in the 69th minute as the scorer seemed yards offside, however, credit must go to the big substitute Andrew Wilson who rounded keeper Ryan Adamson and finished from a tight angle. The big man’s power and directness was causing the Shippy defence some problems, however, it very much too little too late as the Shippy saw out the final twenty minutes in cruise control and they headed up the road with the three points safely in the bag.
Charlie Simpson helped himself to a brace.
Eyemouth
United: C. Muir, J. Clarke, R. Clelland, A. Spiers, J. Dougall, D. Smolenkij (R.
Cargill) W. Denerley (C. Redpath), R. Aitchison, A. Mutch, A. Patterson, J.
Whitson (A. Wilson). Unused Subs: D. Hendy & E. Robertson.
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor Galloway, G. Skinner, P. Bell, R. O’Donnell, B.
Hutchison, C. Simpson, Jon. Galloway (C. McAulay), R. Brown, R. Kinnaird, R.
Crawford (A. Trialist). Unused Sub: R. Connor.
The Shipyard finally showed what they are capable of as they turned in arguably their best performance of the season as Dalkeith Thistle were beaten 4-1 at Recreation Park on Saturday. Once again Stuart had a large squad to choose from and he made two changes from last week with Sandy Strang and Reece Brown replacing Ryan O’Donnell and Andy Watt. Dalkeith had new manager Kevin Twaddle at the helm and his squad was boosted by the loan signing of Willis Hare from Kelty hearts.
Scott Hynd’s strike find the net.
Scott Hynd had an opportunity after six minutes courtesy of a defensive slip from a Thistle centre back but the Shippy striker blazed his shot high and wide. The Shipyard took the lead in the 19th minute and the elements may have played their part as Jonny Galloway’s strike from 25 yards dipped under the crossbar possibly thanks to the wind holding the ball up, but a fine strike nonetheless. The Shippy were caught napping in the 25th minute as a quickly taken free-kick created a chance for Thistle’s Stephen Scott, however, Ryan Adamson denied him with a fine save. That stop proved vital as the Shippy doubled their lead a minute later. Sam Glancy and Hynd combined well to set up Brown and the young striker scored his ninth of the season as he netted with a powerful strike. Adamson saved well again before Dalkeith suffered another blow when Jordan Lister saw red as he brought down Hynd just outside the box, denying him a clear goal scoring opportunity. Another red card, this time for the Shippy’s Strang, offered Dalkeith a chance to get back into the match with the ref awarding them a penalty for the big defender’s challenge. Ryan McQueenie confidently dispatched the spot kick beyond Adamson. Boosted by their goal the visitors created a couple of good openings before the break but unfortunately for Thistle both Scott and Darren McGlashan were just off target with their efforts.
Sam Glancy finishes his great solo effort.
The Shipyard
rejigged their line up at the start of the second half as Ryan O’Donnell was
brought on to fill in for Strang at the back, with goalscorer Brown being the
unlucky one making way. Blake Wales headed against the corner of the post and
bar just short of the hour mark but after that the Shipyard took a grip of the
game. Jonny Galloway fired just wide from the edge of the box on 70 minutes and
four minutes later the Shippy scored a decisive third goal. Hynd broke clear of
the Jags defence and he left keeper James McQueen helpless with a great finish.
The Shipyard saved the best till last with a wonderful solo effort from Glancy.
The diminutive midfielder ran at the Dalkeith rear-guard, beat a couple of
defenders then rounded McQueen before rolling the ball into the net. It was a
goal of the highest quality and Glancy was engulfed by his teammates as they
celebrated his goal and by that stage a vital win. Jordan Galloway had to leave
the field with a bad cut to his head that ultimately saw him making a visit to
hospital to get it attended to. Hynd almost made it five in the closing stages but
he couldn’t find the target with his driven effort. All in all, it was a fine
victory for the Shippy with four great goals into the bargain.
Sam celebrates with Grant Skinner and Scott Hynd.
Next week
the Shipyard travel south to meet Eyemouth United for the first time this
season with the match at Warner Park kicking off at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor.
Galloway (R. Kinnaird), G. Skinner, R. Lennie, S. Strang, S. Glancy, R.
Crawford, B. Hutchison, S. Hynd (A. Watt), Jon. Galloway, R. Brown (R. O’Donnell).
Unused Sub: R. Bernard.
Dalkeith
Thistle: J. McQueen, M. Fairnie, J. Lister, R. McQueenie, R. Connell, N.
Janczyk, W. Hare, S. Scott, P. Tansey (M. Hunter), B. Wales. Unused Subs: D.
Muir, S. Murray, E. Mitchell.
The Shipyard
bowed out of the King Cup at Recreation Park on Saturday as Heriot Watt
University scored the only goal of the match to progress to the next round. It
was the visitors who created the more and better of the chances, particularly
in the first half, and they will no doubt feel they merited their victory. The
Shipyard never created enough clear-cut opportunities and were constantly
thwarted by the well drilled Uni defence who used their height to good effect
at both ends.
Calvin
Muttitt set up an early chance for Ryan Higgins but the striker’s powerful shot
hit the side netting. The visitor’s prowess in the air was giving the Shippy
cause for concern and they had Ryan Adamson to thank for keeping out Giovanni Michelon’s
header. Following another corner Aidan Quinn saw his snapshot hit the crossbar
and go over. The Shippy’s first opportunity came in the 11th minute
and Andy Watt’s drive almost broke the deadlock but his effort was well saved
by Uni keeper Erik Peterson. Watt then saw his header from a Hynd cross saved
too as the Shipyard looked to impose themselves on the game. Another Heriot
Watt corner produced a chance for Muttitt, however, he blazed over from a good
position. The goal that the Uni had been threatening arrived in the 35th
minute and it was no surprise that it came from a corner, as Neil Laurenson
headed home from around eight yards out. The Shipyard almost replied
immediately when good build up play found Glancy free in the box, however,
brave defending by the Uni rear-guard saw the midfielder’s fierce strike blocked.
Adamson produced a superb fingertip save on the stroke of half-time as he
touched Quinn’s free-kick from no more than 19 yards onto the bar and over.
Midweek signing Grant Skinner made his debut at left back with Sam Glancy, Benn Hutchison and Scott Hynd all returning having missed out last weekend.
Grant Skinner made his Shipyard debut.
Sandy Strang replaced the injured Jordan Galloway for the start of the second half and within minutes the Shipyard were forced into a second substitution as Hutchison picked up a knock with Reece Bernard taking his place. Bernard almost made an instant impact and he probably should have at least hit the target rather than firing narrowly wide following good work from the tenacious Glancy. The second period produced a lot less chances than the first and although the Shipyard enjoyed far more possession the Uni defence were comfortable with what was getting thrown at them, other than on one occasion with five minutes remaining when Peterson was grateful to see his defender clear the ball off the line following a scramble in the box. Laurenson and substitute Aaron Singh had chances for Heriot Watt, though Singh should have done better when through on Adamson but credit to the Shippy keeper for producing a good save.
Sam Glancy fires the ball across the face of goal.
Burntisland
Shipyard: R. Adamson, Jor. Galloway (S. Strang), G. Skinner, R. O’Donnell, R.
Lennie, B. Hutchison (R. Bernard), S. Glancy, Jon. Galloway, S. Hynd (R. Brown),
A. Watt, R. Crawford. Unused Subs: R. Kinnaird, C. McAulay, C. Simpson.
Heriot Watt
University: E. Peterson, G. Michelin (M. Larmour), S. Munro, H. Barclay, A.
Quinn, T. Huxford, R. Higgins (A. Singh), J. Hogg (M. Graham), C. Muttitt, C.
Smith, N. Laurenson.
