Shipyard lose out in five goal thriller

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”.