Shippy slump to home defeat
The Shipyard’s erratic form continued on Saturday as they went down 3-1 to Oakley United at Recreation Park. Despite taking an early lead through Ben Anthony’s seventeenth goal of the season, they were only able to hold that advantage for three minutes as Oakley quickly levelled and the visitors went on to build on that and eventually ran out deserved winners. The Shippy were without the injured Ryan O’Donnell and the unavailable Sam Glancy for the match with youngsters Jordan Thomson and Dan Thomson coming into the starting eleven.
The pitch was heavy at kick-off following the heavy rain that fell in the build up to the match and obviously it deteriorated as the match wore on. Oakley had the first chance in the opening minute as Scott Costello saved well from Stephen Day. The next chance fell to the Shippy in the fifth minute and from a corner they took the lead. Oakley felt their keeper was fouled as he attempted to punch the ball clear but played continued and Benji poked the ball home from very close range. The visitors were level in the eighth minute and again the goal came from a corner with Craig Martin afforded plenty of space to head the ball home. The game ebbed and flowed for the next twenty minutes or so before Oakley went ahead. A cut back from the bye line was met by Jack Cowan in the centre of goal and he knocked the ball home. Oakley finished the half in the ascendency and it took a couple of good blocks and two saves from Costello to deny the visitors.
The Shipyard made a change at the break with Matty Miller coming on for Jordan Thomson. Oakley were awarded a penalty in the 46th minute after a foul in the box and Martin scored from the spot firing the ball low into the corner of the net making it 3-1. Three minutes later the Shipyard were awarded a penalty of their own when the referee judged there had been interference when a free-kick was played into the area. Shaun Keatings stepped up to take the kick, however, the ball cleared the bar, the net behind the goals and the clubhouse before landing just short of the graveyard. The Shipyard never really threatened Brett Young in the Oakley goals; indeed, it was the visitors who went closest to scoring when them missed a couple of very good chances.
Next week we travel to Prestonpans to face Preston Athletic in a league match. Kick-off at Pennypit Park is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: S. Costello; S. Orrock; J. Thomson (M. Miller); M. James; I. Millar; C. Watt; S. Keatings; D. Anthony; B. Anthony; J. Wilson; D. Thomson (J. Galloway). Unused Subs: S. Strang & R. Connor.
Oakley United: B. Young; C. Martin; K. Bedborough; R. McGill; B. McAdam; C. Doherty; J. Cowan; R. Bernard; J. Harrison; S. Love; S. Day. Subs: A. Burns; M. Gould; M. Mooney; D. Mathie.
Referee: P. Hanlon.