The Shippy gathered another three points on Saturday as visitors Preston Athletic were beaten 4-1 at Recreation Park, in what was the last game of 2020. The win pushed the Shipyard up to fifth place in the league and things are getting tight at the top as the pack chase down leaders Heriot Watt University. The Uni do have a healthy lead, however, they have played three or four games more than most. All the damage was done in the first half as the Anthony brothers grabbed all the goals with Darrell notching a hat-trick and Ben netting the other, while Marc Malloy scored for the visitors. Preston imposed themselves more after the interval but never really threatened to reduce the deficit, indeed it was the Shipyard who created and missed the best chances in the second half. Nathan Laird and Shaun Keatings replaced Dean Hunter and Tyler McKenzie from the starting eleven last time out at Eyemouth with Iain Millar and Dale Allan returning from injury to take a place on the bench.
Darrell Anthony nets his second goal.
The first chance fell to the Shipyard in the 3rd minute when Ben Anthony ran on to a through ball only to see his effort blocked at the edge of the box. The deadlock was broken in the 8th minute when Ben set up Darrell and despite his initial shot being saved by keeper David Livie the rebound fell kindly for him and he smashed the ball home. Preston forced Michael Gibb into a good save in the 23rd minute before the young keeper was in the spotlight again a minute later. Keatings was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Gibb pulled off a great save to deny Joe Murray, however, he was beaten by Molloy who was quick to react to the loose ball. Preston weren’t level for long as the Shippy regained the lead in the 28th minute. Reece Brown did well down the righthand side and when he crossed into the box D. Anthony blasted the ball beyond Livie. Darrell completed his hat-trick a few minutes later when his shot from the edge of the box took a deflection leaving the keeper helpless. Brown shot into the side netting a minute later as the Shippy threatened to run riot. The visitors had a chance in the 42nd minute when the forward beat Gibb to a ball in the air and as the headed effort drifted wide appeals for another penalty as the players collided were dismissed. As the game moved into added time the Shipyard scored a fourth as B. Anthony drove forward and fired the ball into the corner of the net from around twenty yards.
Celebration time for Shippy boys.
A half time talking to from the manager seemed to invigorate Preston and they played with a lot more determination and got on the front foot more often, though Gibb was never tested as the back four in front of him was dealing with everything that came their way. Jay Bridgeford headed over a Raymond Crichton cross in the 55th minute and the youngster was off target again after B. Anthony set him up with a shooting opportunity. Keatings looked set to score before some brave defending blocked his effort after B. Anthony squared the ball to him and although it appeared Ben was impeded as he worked his way into the area the referee was not interested in the half-hearted penalty appeals. Just before the end some heroic defending denied the Shipyard a fifth as B. Anthony saw his shot following a corner cleared off the line, and when the ball looped up substitute Iain Millar saw his header blocked and then the big left back was foiled again as his shot was blocked.
The action takes a break next week but we will return in the new year as Glenrothes first foot us on Saturday 2nd January 2021 with the match kicking off at 2pm. Unfortunately, this match will also be played behind closed doors.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; M. Miller (R. O’Donnell); R. Crichton (I. Millar); N. Laird; G. Ross; S. Strang; S. Keatings; D. Anthony (T. McKenzie); B. Anthony; R. Brown (J. Mackenzie); J. Bridgeford. Unused Subs: S. Costello; D. Allan; J. Galloway.
Preston Athletic: D. Livie; K. Austin; C. Innes; M. O’Connor; R. Young; D. Pennycuick; K. Jack; B. Bathgate; J. Edmond; J. Murray; M. Molloy. Subs: J. Jardine; E. Williams; M. Hamilton; J. Chapman; M. Forsyth; N. Stokes; B. Bain.
Anthony hat-trick rounds off good week for Shippy.
The Shipyard made the long journey to Warner Park buoyed by their midweek victory against Heriot Watt University as they looked to continue to climb the league table. They did not disappoint, despite struggling for almost the entire first half to breakdown the resolute Eyemouth defence, as another three points were bagged. The final scoreline of 6-0 was no less than the Shipyard deserved as they created many chances throughout the ninety minutes. Six points from two away fixtures in five days will no doubt have pleased manager Stuart Innes. Continuity is a major factor in football and the fact that Stuart had the same squad at his disposal again meant that he only had to make one change from Tuesday night. Shaun Keatings dropped to the bench with him still feeling the effects of the knock that forced him off against the students and once again Tyler McKenzie was the man who replaced him. It was another good day for Ben Anthony as he claimed a perfect hat-trick with a left foot, right foot and headed goal as he took his season’s tally into double figures.
Ben (3) and Reece bagged four of the Shipyard goals.
Unusually, for Eyemouth anyway, there was barely a breath of wind and a bright blue sky as the Shipyard got the match got underway. It took the Shipyard a while to settle into the game although they did start to exert some pressure on the Eyemouth rearguard as they forced a series of corners. From one of these corners in the 15th minute a Sandy Strang header forced Eyemouth keeper Roddy MacDougall into a fine save. A few seconds later the Shippy were shouting loudly for a penalty as Dean Hunter went down in the box, however, the referee wasn’t interested. Raymond Crichton shot straight at the keeper after playing a neat one two with Jay Bridgeford. The Shipyard then hit the woodwork twice in the space of three minutes as Hunter hit the bar with a volley at the back post following a corner and in the 27th minute Darrell Anthony hit a post after good work by his brother Ben. B. Anthony shot straight at the keeper and Reece Brown had an effort blocked from close range. The visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Brown latched onto the end of a D. Anthony pass and fired the ball high into the net beyond MacDougall. Eyemouth had a chance on the stroke of half-time through Kharim Mdlasini but the striker never troubled Michael Gibb in the Shipyard goals.
The Shippy made a change at the interval with Nathan Laird coming on for Gavin Ross and it took him only ninety seconds to make an impact as he bundled home from a corner with his first touch of the ball. MacDougall saved bravely at the feet of McKenzie; however, he was beaten a minute later as B. Anthony’s left foot shot found the corner of the net after being set up by Bridgeford. Eyemouth really should have pulled a goal back in the 56th minute but somehow the ball ended up being put over the bar from close range. Bridgeford shot just wide and then Brown saw his drive parried away by MacDougall with B. Anthony firing the loose ball across the face of the goal. Brown again went close with a shot going narrowly wide. A bit of dithering in the Shippy defence led to a great opportunity for Connor Lough, however, the experienced striker was denied by a great save from substitute keeper Scott Costello. B. Anthony turned and shot from inside the six yard box but he was denied by a good block. As usual Ben was in the thick of things and he scored the Shipyard’s fourth goal when he headed home a Jordan Galloway corner. He soon made it five as he completed his hat-trick with a great team goal. The Shippy gained possession on their own goal line, passed the ball out through the midfield to D. Anthony and his pinpoint pass found brother Ben who outstripped the Eyemouth defence before smashing it passed MacDougall. The Shippy scored a sixth through substitute Galloway who tapped in at the back post after a Bridgeford strike was pushed into his path. Eyemouth almost got a consolation goal at the death when a speculative strike hit the junction of the post and bar.
The Shipyard return to Recreation Park on Saturday (5/12/20) when they welcome Stirling University EOS for a league match with the kick-off being at 1.30pm.
Eyemouth United: D. MacDougall; B. Tait; T. Fowler; G. Paterson; J. Gammie; L. Smilie; J. Condy; C. Briggs; K. Grant; C. Lough; K. Mdlasini. Subs: A. Wilson; R. Bowling; J. Vieirira; M. Sebastian; D. Thomas; D. Hendy.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb (S. Costello); M. Miller; R. Crichton (R. O’Donnell); D. Hunter; G. Ross (N. Laird); S. Strang (J. Galloway); T. McKenzie; D. Anthony; B. Anthony; R. Brown (J. Mackenzie); J. Bridgeford. Unused Sub: S. Keatings.
The Shipyard took full advantage of their second chance in this recast fixture following Heriot Watt University being penalised for breeching a substitution ruling. Despite falling behind, a Ben Anthony double and a first Shipyard goal for Jordan Mackenzie saw the Shippy secure a 3-1 victory at a wet and windy Oriam on Tuesday night. In a keenly fought encounter the quality of the visitors finishing proved to be the difference between the teams. Neither side created an abundance of opportunities in what was nevertheless an entertaining match between two committed teams. The Shipyard starting eleven showed one change from the team that took the field against Bo’ness United on Saturday with Michael Gibb returning in place of Scott Costello.
The Shipyard almost got off to a whirlwind start with barely two minutes on the clock when Uni keeper Callum Reid had to dive full length to prevent one of his defenders heading into his own net following a Jay Bridgeford free-kick. The Shippy suffered a blow in the 4th minute when Shaun Keatings hobbled off with a foot injury and he was replaced by Tyler McKenzie. Gibb showed great reactions to deny Heriot Watt with an instinctive save before booting the ball clear. B. Anthony fired just wide after getting on the end of a Reece Brown cross. After this early action in the first fifteen minutes the game settled down and both defences were coping with what was thrown at them. The hosts had another chance in the 39th minute when a headed effort from a corner bounced over the bar. The deadlock was broken in the 45th minute when the Uni broke down the right-hand side and when the ball was cut back a fine left foot strike found the corner of the net. The Shipyard drew level in added time from the penalty spot. Darrell Anthony was fouled in the box and brother Ben made no mistake from twelve yards to restore parity at the interval.
The Shippy stunned the hosts with an excellent goal in the 47th minute when McKenzie burst down the right and his sublime cross was turned home by B. Anthony at the front post. A venomous drive from D. Anthony had the Shipyard contingent with their hands in the air proclaiming a goal, only to see the ball agonisingly go narrowly wide. Gavin Ross had to make a timely intervention to cut out a dangerous cross at the expense of a corner and a curling effort from the edge of the area was not too far away as the Uni looked to get back on terms. The Shippy took a firm grip of the match with a third goal in the 78th minute. A Heriot Watt player was loose with a pass at the edge of the box and with the Shipyard pressing substitute Jordan Mackenzie latched onto the ball and calmly finished to the delight of Shipyard contingent. Heriot Watt pushed forward, however, the Shippy defence was not unduly troubled other than when McKenzie did well to block the ball.
We are on our travels again on Saturday (28/11/2020) with a trip to Warner Park to face Eyemouth United in league match which will be played behind closed doors. Kick off is at 2pm with updates available on the club Twitter feed.
Heriot Watt University: C. Reid; J. Hogg; D. Potter; J. Wishart; J. Thomson; A. Shrive; A. Gamble; C. Smith; A. Singh; R. Cairns; J. Barker. Subs: A. McMahon; C. Muttitt; C. Donnelly; J. Kennedy; M. Taylor; A. McCreadie; G. Macdonald.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; M. Miller; R. Crichton; D. Hunter; G. Ross; S. Strang; S. Keatings (T. McKenzie); D. Anthony; B. Anthony; R. Brown; J. Bridgeford (J. Galloway). Unused Subs: S. Costello; R. O’Donnell; N. Laird.
The Shipyard left Newtown Park extremely frustrated following their 4-1 defeat to Bo’ness United in the Soccershop Challenge Cup. Not at their performance, not the margin of the defeat or not because Bo’ness were flattered by the scoreline. It was the self inflicted manner of the defeat that hurt. A missed penalty at 0-0, a header off the crossbar at 2-1 down, a whole host of chances spurned, conceding the opening goal seconds before the interval and being on the wrong end of some controversial decisions did the damage. There may be two divisions between the teams, however, for the most part the Shippy more than matched their Lowland League opponents, before losing two very late goals that gave a false impression of how the match had unfolded. For the first time in weeks the Shippy had an eighteen man squad, thanks in part to the addition of Jordan Mackenzie and Nathan Laird, signed on loan from East Fife on Friday evening. Tyler McKenzie returned from suspension and Jordan Galloway came back after isolating for a couple of weeks.
The Shipyard created the first chance in the second minute when Shaun Keatings found space at the edge of the box but his driven shot was too high to trouble ex-Shipyard keeper Ryan Adamson. Keatings next attempt certainly troubled Adamson as the keeper tipped over the midfielders strike from around twenty yards. Everyone was surprised to see a goal kick awarded with the keeper probably disappointed that his fine save was not recognised. The first chance for the hosts arrived after eleven minutes and the Shippy were relieved to see Kyle Bell’s effort hit the top of the bar and go over. The Shipyard engineered a great opening in the 20th minute when a good move put Reece Brown in on goal, however, the youngster stumbled as he looked to get on to the ball. Kieran Anderson and Bell would both have been disappointed that they never tested Scott Costello in the Shipyard goals having been afforded good opportunities. Brown then saw Adamson hold his shot after the striker showed good feet at the front post. The game was very much end to end as the Shippy went toe to toe with the team sitting third and unbeaten in the Lowland League and United were next to have a chance when Stuart McFarlane headed over from a corner. The Shipyard went very close in the 34th minute as firstly Ben Anthony’s strike was unconvincingly pushed away by Adamson with a follow up shot from brother Darrell fortunately deflected narrowly wide at the expense of a corner. The visitors were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Brown turned his man on the by-line and was tripped as he headed towards the goals. It was of the stonewall variety leaving the ref with no other option but to point to the spot. Disappointingly for the Shippy Brown’s effort was weak and Adamson saved all to easily. A good driving run from D. Anthony saw him burst through the Bo’ness defence but his shot was too straight and Adamson was able to save. Just as the half-time whistle loomed all the Shipyard’s good work was undone when the hosts created a chance for Brian Ritchie and the big striker slotted the ball beyond Costello to open the scoring.
A heavy shower at the interval cleared before the teams re-emerged for the second half though it looked like the wind was strengthening with Bo’ness being the beneficiaries of the elements. The hosts were claiming for a penalty in the 51st minute but their appeals were rightly waived away by the referee. The Shippy deservedly drew level in the 57th minute with a well worked goal. Brown and B. Anthony combined to set up Jay Bridgeford and the wide man drilled the ball home despite a valiant effort from a United defender to keep the ball out. The game was still even and hard fought with some thoughts starting to drift towards extra-time when Bo’ness got their noses in front again. Ritchie again found the net and the goal stood despite appeals for offside. A Ben Anthony drive flashed across the face of goal with the ball taking a slight deflection with a corner being awarded. From the corner Gavin Ross saw his header smash back off the bar. With three minutes remaining Ritchie completed his hat-trick with a huge slice of good fortune when a miscued clearance fell to him and he confidently beat Costello from ten yards. The Shippy really had their noses rubbed in it when Bell scored a fourth with a well placed shot from outside the box. The Shipyard can be very proud of their showing against a team of this calibre and they will be looking to maintain the performance level when they travel to face Heriot Watt University at Oriam on Tuesday Night. Kick-off time for the match is 7.30pm.
Bo’ness United: R. Adamson; D. Jacobs; D. McFarlane (W. Snowdon); C. Comrie; R. Stevenson; B. Ritchie; T. Grant (M. Gemmell); S. McFarlane; L. Bell; B. Wharton; K. Anderson. Unused Subs: A. Murphy; Z. Miller.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; M. Miller; R. Crichton; D. Hunter (N. Laird); G. Ross; S. Strang (T. McKenzie); S. Keatings; D. Anthony; B. Anthony; R. Brown (J. Mackenzie) J. Bridgeford. Unused Subs: M. Gibb; R. Lennie; R. O’Donnell, J. Galloway.
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.
Ben Anthony nets the Shippy opener.
The Shippy had a great chance in the 3rd 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 21st 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.
Reece Brown scores the Shipyard’s third goal.
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 71st 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.
Once again, the Shipyard dropped points in a game that was there to be won. Make no mistake this was two points thrown away as defensive lapses and missed chances proved very costly. Any hopes of climbing the league table will quickly disappear if goals keep being gifted in this fashion. Both teams were severely depleted and the long Shipyard injury list shows no sign of diminishing. Reece Brown returned from suspension but Sam Glancy, Ross Lennie, Iain Millar and Dale Allan were still side-lined.
Shipyard equalise through Dean Hunter (hidden).
Thick fog was swirling around Gardiners Park with visibility poor as the match kick off. The Shipyard created a chance in the first few seconds when the Anthony brothers Ben and Darrell combined to set up Shaun Keatings, however, the strike was marginally off target. With two minutes on the clock the Shippy fell behind when a long ball floated to the back-post area was not dealt with and the Lochgelly player had all the time in the world to fire the ball home. This setback did not deter the Shippy and they were soon level when a Jay Bridgeford free kick was bundled over the line by Dean Hunter. The Shipyard took the lead in the 11th minute with a well worked goal. D. Anthony controlled a ball into the box with his chest laying it perfectly into the path of his brother Ben who gleefully smashed the ball home. The goals kept coming and the hosts were level in the 15th minute when the Shippy failed to deal with a corner with no one being able to put there foot through the ball to clear the danger and an Albert player knocked the ball in from close range. Tyler McKenzie fired two attempts just over and Lochgelly keeper Shaun Hunter saved twice with his legs. The Shipyard had by far the better of the chances in the first half but could not get their noses in front.
Ben Anthony puts the Shippy 2-1 ahead.
The keeper saved well again to deny Keatings when he got on the end of a B. Anthony cross. Substitute Raymond Crichton was next to go close before the Shipyard’s pressure paid off in the 57th minute. D. Anthony saw his shot saved and once again it was B. Anthony who was on hand to fire the ball home after the ball rebounded straight to him. The Shipyard then enjoyed a good spell of possession and went close through Brown, Keatings and Gavin Ross. Big defender Ross was then involved at the other end when he was penalised for hand ball in the box, though it was hard to tell through the fog exactly what happened. The penalty was confidently driven beyond Michael Gibb to tie the scores once again. As the game moved beyond the ninety-minute mark there was still time for youngster McKenzie to receive an unbelievably harsh second yellow card.
It’s another Fife derby on Saturday (14/11/2020) as we welcome Lochore Welfare to Recreation Park for a Central Taxis First Division League match. Kick-off is 2.00pm.
Lochgelly Albert: S. Hunter; C. Sneddon; J. Meldrum; R. Gallacher; L. Kerwin; G. Colquhoun; L. Kirby; D. Boyle; S. Stark; C. Bennell; N. Feeley. Subs: R. Cowie; D. Clegg; L. Bell; S. Keenan.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; M. Miller; R. O’Donnell; D. Hunter (R. Crichton); G. Ross; S. Strang; S. Keatings; T. McKenzie; B. Anthony; D. Anthony (R. Brown); J. Bridgeford. Unused Subs: S. Costello & J. Galloway.
The Shipyard got their first win of the season on Saturday as they beat Peebles Rovers 2-1 at Recreation Park. A twice taken Ben Anthony penalty in the 89th minute was all that separated the sides when the final whistle sounded, and as controversial as the penalty incident was, it would have been a travesty had the Shippy not taken all three points given the amount of chances they had created during the match. Sandy Strang was the only one of last week’s absentees to return, however, his inclusion was countered by Dale Allan dropping out due to the injury he sustained last week at Oakley, meaning that once again there were six players unavailable for the match.
Jay Bridgeford nets his first Shipyard goal.
The forecasted wind and rain had not materialised during the morning and although the wind was strengthening it stayed dry throughout the match. The Shipyard had the elements behind them in the first half but there was an early shock instore for them as Peebles took the lead in the 7th minute. A fine defence splitting ball sent Harry McGill clean through and he calmly fired the ball beyond Michael Gibb into the net. That lead lasted barely a minute as Jay Bridgeford netted from close range after a Darrell Anthony cross came back off the bar. At this stage Rovers keeper Bob Hall looked in a bit discomfort but he soldiered on and played his part for his team with some excellent saves and none more so than when he got a hand to Tyler McKenzie’s shot after the youngster gathered the ball following B. Anthony’s strike smashing off the bar. Hall also produced fine saves from McKenzie again and D. Anthony. At the other end Gibb was not to be outdone as he saved well from a Craig Spalding drive. Jack Chesser was not too far away with a powerful shot and at the other end B. Anthony drove over from a good position.
Ben Anthony’s retaken penalty finds the back of the net.
The Shipyard made a change at the interval with Strang coming on to replace Raymond Crichton in the middle of the park. The Shippy passed up a glorious opportunity in the 48th minute when Strang burst clear and with Hall well out of his goal he passed to D. Anthony but the youngster shot from distance with the goal gaping rather than taking the ball closer in. D. Anthony was having no luck whatsoever as another effort from him hit the inside of the post and bounced clear. Peebles were dealt a blow in the 59th minute when they were reduced to ten men when Gary Tickle was sent off as he received a second yellow card. This did not adversely affect the visitors as they still got forward with the strong wind behind them as they created a couple of half chances, however, the Shipyard were still the more dangerous as they continued to threaten. Just when it looked like the game might finish all square the referee awarded the Shipyard a penalty as D. Anthony went down under a challenge near the goal line. Peebles were enraged at the decision and their mood only got worse when the referee ordered a retake after Hall saved B. Anthony’s poorly struck kick. It later emerged the referee had penalised Rovers sub Cameron Coppola for encroachment. B. Anthony stepped up again and beat Hall this time with a better placed strike into the corner of the net. Shippy manager Stuart Innes expressed a feeling of relief after the game when he said “Although we created a host of chances it seemed a goal was never coming so it’s great to pick up the three points and move on to next week”.
The Shipyard travel to Gardiners Park next week to face Lochgelly Albert in a league match with the kick-off being at 2.00pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; M. Miller; R. O’Donnell; D. Hunter; G. Ross; R. Crichton (S. Strang); S. Keatings; T. McKenzie; B. Anthony; D. Anthony; J. Bridgeford (J. Galloway). Unused Sub: S. Costello.
Peebles Rovers: B. Hall; C. Henderson; L. Andrew; D. Brown; C. Spalding; G. Tickle; J. Chesser; R. Lamb; L. MacLean; H. McGill; D. Skinner. Subs: F. Neto; S. Mitchell; G. Doyle; J. MacKay; L. Taylor; D. Cursiter; C. Coppola.
The Shipyard’s wretched start to the season continued on Saturday as they went down 3-2 to Oakley United at Blairwood Park. There were some positive signs in the performance, particularly in the second half as the Shippy dominated for the most part and almost got the equaliser their play deserved. However, the damage was done in the first half and it was the same old story as poor defending cost the first two goals. The fact that the third goal was yards offside is another matter. Reece Brown, Robbie Crawford, Sam Glancy, Ross Lennie, Iain Millar and Sandy Strang were all absent for a variety of reasons though the squad was boosted by the arrival of loan signings Jay Bridgeford and Tyler McKenzie from Kelty Hearts. The youngsters acquitted themselves very well in what was a tough physical encounter, and they will add a lot to the Shipyard squad over the coming weeks. There were returns to the starting eleven for Michael Gibb and Ryan O’Donnell and debuts for the aforementioned loanees from Kelty.
The pitch was heavy but thankfully the early morning rain had abated, and the sun was doing it’s best to brighten the west Fife skies. The Shipyard created the first opportunity in the 5th minute as Shaun Keatings volleyed over a Bridgeford cross. The Shipyard fell behind to Oakley’s first attempt at goal when Stuart Love’s strike from distance found the top corner after sloppy defending allowed the ball to be worked to the striker’s feet. The visitors almost got level quickly as Ben Anthony’s cross cum shot hit the top of the bar. A headed attempt from Oakley was not too far away and in the 17th minute Gibb saved comfortably from Craig Martin. The Shipyard had to make a change midway through the half as Dale Allan limped off to be replaced by Matty Miller. Oakley doubled their lead two minutes later as James McAteer tapped in from close range following a right-wing cross. Once again questions had to be asked of the Shipyard defending. B. Anthony shot across the face off goal from an acute angle and the agony of that missed chance was felt even more when the hosts raced up the park and scored. Love tapped in from inside the six-yard box, however, there was a blatant offside in the build up that was unfortunately missed. To their credit the Shippy quickly replied with Shaun Keatings placing a left foot shot into the top corner from around sixteen yards.
The Shipyard should have pulled another back six minutes into the second half but B. Anthony missed the target from a great position after good build up between Keatings and Bridgeford. The Shippy were very much the dominant team now but Oakley were holding firm at the back. That was until the 78th minute when Bridgeford was tripped in the box and B. Anthony made no mistake from the spot. The Shippy pushed for the equaliser in the closing minutes, however, they could not fashion another clear chance as Oakley maintained their 100% start to the season.
The Shipyard are at home on Saturday (31/10/2020) as we welcome Peebles Rovers to Recreation Park. Kick-off is at 2.00pm.
Oakley United: S. Robertson; D. Kelly; R. McGill; M. Mooney; C. Martin; C. Runciman; B. McAdam; R. Gunn; J. McAteer; M. Allan; S. Love. Subs: J. Harrison; R. Gruar; J. Urquhart; C. Shaw; K. Young; C. Sanchez; C. Nielson.
Burntisland Shipyard: M. Gibb; R. O’Donnell; D. Allan (M. Miller); D. Hunter; G. Ross; R. Crichton; S. Keatings; T. McKenzie; B. Anthony; D. Anthony; J. Bridgeford. Unused Subs: S. Costello & J. Galloway.
