A superb second half display from ten man Shippy blew Peebles Rovers away at Recreation Park on Saturday. Despite having Matty Robertson sent off seconds before half time, the Shipyard players simply rolled up their sleeves and fought tooth and nail to gain, at the end of the day, a very much deserved win. There was no doubt that the visitors were the better team in the first half, however, a possible sense of injustice galvanised Shippy and a sensational hat-trick from Michael Gibb saw Shipyard win somewhat comfortably when the dust had settled. It was a much changed Shipyard that took the field following last week’s cup match with Daniel Brockie, Mark James, Darrell Anthony, Ben Anthony, Blair Kerr, Kierren Ritchie and Elliot Jowitt all dropping out through injury or unavailability though Kerr and Ritchie were on the bench. Robertson, Ellis McQuade, Tony McAndrew and Jordan Galloway were all promoted from the bench and there was a start for trialist Stuart Forster.
Peebles started brightly and were passing the ball well and stretching the Shippy defence and an early attack caused some panic at the back before the ball was scrambled clear. Balls over the top were also causing problems, however, nothing seriously troubled Ryan Couser in the Shipyard goals. A short corner was worked to Forster and his driven shot was parried away by Peebles keeper Jordan Moffat. A dangerous ball into Shippy’s box was cleared and at the other end Kris Murphy’s angled shot was not too far away. A Dan McBay shot was pushed out by Moffat before the game blew up shortly before the interval. A Rovers free kick was blocked and the loose ball was then headed onto the roof of the net amid a ruck of players. It was difficult to see what sparked the incident that followed but Peebles player Jamie Mackay was on the ground kicking out at Shipyard players. Nearly every player was involved, including Moffat who ran the whole length of the pitch to take part. There were several cards shown including a red for Robertson, however, how no Peebles player saw red was quite frankly astonishing, with only Mackay receiving a yellow for his part in the melee.
Manager Lee Richardson sacrificed Forster to bolster his defence as he introduced Craig McBay as a direct replacement for Robertson. Despite having a numerical advantage, the visitors were not troubling Couser and it was Shippy who looked more dangerous going forward. Moffat pulled off a decent save from a left foot Gibb shot after 62 minutes but a minute later Gibby broke the deadlock as he burst forward and drove the ball into the net. Kerr came on for McAndrew in the 66th minute and he had an almost instant impact as three minutes later he created the second goal. Kerr gathered the ball on the halfway line and he drove forward and delivered a cross that was just begging to be netted and Gibby duly obliged scoring from around six yards. Kerr might have had a goal himself after he burst clear of the Rovers defence, however, the young midfielder shot narrowly wide. Richardson had introduced youngsters Jack Hopton and Ryan Sharp with the former giving the visitors something different to think about with his direct running and a good run saw his shot saved by Moffat. Another short corner from Shippy saw the ball worked to D. McBay but unfortunately his strike flew over. With a minute remaining Gibb completed his hat-trick as he broke clear from halfway and kept his composure before driving the ball into the corner of the net.
Richardson said after the game “We did not press them well enough in the first half and didn’t get our tackles in, that being said, I didn’t think that they created much in the way of chances.” When asked about the turnaround after the interval he said “We had a bit go at them in the dressing room, asking for more as we were a man down and needed to be sharper. And what was a tremendous second half performance we got, especially given we only had ten men. You would never have thought it though as we created a good few chances. I’m delighted for Gibby. He’s had a slight injury recently but he never let it hamper him as he covered every blade of grass.” He went on to say, “The young boys also did themselves proud with their contribution to the team after coming on, in what was quite a feisty encounter.”
Next week we travel to Hermand Park to face West Calder United for another league fixture. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; M. Robertson; E. McQuade; K. Crielly; I. Millar; D. McBay; T. McAndrew (B. Kerr 65’); J. Galloway (R. Sharp 80’); K. Murphy (J. Hopton 70’); S. Forster (C. McBay 46’); M. Gibb. Unused Subs: O. Farley; S. Strang; K. Ritchie.
Peebles Rovers: J. Moffat; C. Riddell; B. Brown; K. Kivlichan; S. Inglis; S. Robertson; J. Mackay; N. McDonald; M. Joyce; S. Latto; F. Stewart. Subs: S. Taylor; G. Lamb; L. Maclean; H. McGill; J. Dodds; C. Robertson.
“We simply never turned up” That’s how manager Lee Richardson summed things up when he spoke after the match. He went on to add “There were too many players not at it today and when you concede goals like we did in the first half, then you are up against it. Gibby’s goal got us back into it but to concede again so soon after finished it.” Lee then spoke about a lack of threat in front of goal when he said “We did not create near enough chances today and my choices were limited with Kris and Liam unavailable to me. They would have offered something different, Kris with his height and strength and Liam with his pace.”
Michael Gibb and Kierren Ritchie replaced the aforementioned Kris Murphy and Tony McAndrew in the starting eleven following last week’s win at Harthill as the Shippy looked to progress to the second round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup for the first time in a while.
A crowd of over 250 were inside Recreation Park for the match with a healthy contingent from Irvine amongst the number enjoying the autumn sunshine. A free kick from Meadow captain David Anderson whistled just wide of the target in the seventh minute while at the other end Ben Anthony saw his left foot effort go over the bar following a good turn at the edge of the box. The visitors took the lead in the 25th through a highly avoidable goal when an Anderson corner was volleyed home at the back post by the unmarked Jack McDowall. Dean Currie then scored a similar goal from another Anderson corner in the 39th minute leaving Shippy with an uphill struggle. It would have been three but for the bravery of Shipyard keeper Ryan Couser who took a venomous close range drive square on the nose. Thankfully, the big keeper recovered after a couple of minutes of treatment. Shipyard were dealt a blow at the interval though with captain Iain Millar unable to resume following an injury to his shoulder he picked up during the first half.
Shipyard pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Gibb chased a long ball and beat the retreating defender and keeper Jamie Barclay to the ball, and he headed it into the empty net from around the edge of the area. Unfortunately, Shippy couldn’t build on the chance to get back into the match and conceded a third goal in the 72nd minute when substitute Greg Cree was allowed to cut in from the left and he drilled the ball home. Shipyard created an opening in the 87th minute and amid a bit of a scramble Meadow cleared the ball off the line and averted the danger. Couser made a good save in the 88th minute, however, he was beaten for a fourth time when Cree scored his second goal deep into added time. At the end of the day, it was a deserved win for Irvine Meadow XI, but the Shipyard players can be proud of their efforts in the cup this season having beaten a good Dunipace side to reach this stage only to lose out to their West of Scotland League opponents.
It’s back to league action next Saturday as we welcome Peebles Rovers to Recreation Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt 46’); M. James; I. Millar (E. Bauld 46’); D. Anthony (M. Robertson 51’); D. McBay; B. Kerr (A. McAndrew 46’); K. Ritchie (J. Galloway 46’); B. Anthony; M. Gibb. Unused Subs: C. McBay & E. McQuade.
Irvine Meadow XI: J. Barclay; G. Sewell; S. Gallacher; L. Kennedy (E. O’Hare 71’); D. Currie; D. Anderson; T. Cruden (G. Cree 61’); J. McDowall (S. McBryde 84’); L. Neilson (E. Baird 61’); H. Gilmour; J. Gallacher. Unused Subs: S. Davidson; B. Sharpe; J. Lynn.
The Shipyard climbed four places up the league table and into fifth place following a late winning goal, courtesy of Darrell Anthony’s header three minutes from time against newly promoted Harthill Royal on Saturday. Following what manager Lee Richardson described as “A very poor first half performance” his team improved after the break and got what was felt to be a deserved win at the end of the day. Ryan Couser returned after serving a one match suspension against Kennoway and he marked his return with a clean sheet and a solid display a Gibbshill Park as he produced a few good saves. Liam Taylor and Michael Gibb remained sidelined through injury though Mark James, Kris Murphy and Ben Anthony all returned to the starting eleven.
The hosts were on top for much of the first half with Kevin Kalala going close on a couple of occasions. They also forced several corners during the half, however, Shippy dealt with their set pieces well though Couser had to be alert to a free kick shortly before the break. A shot from D. Anthony was the closest the visitors came to opening their account.
Shipyard started much brighter in the second period with James going close following a corner thirty seconds into the half. Darrell then hit the post before brother Ben put the ball wide as he followed up. B. Anthony saw a shot saved before James went close again from the resultant corner. Couser saved well from Jeremiah Otonti as Harthill broke quickly. Half time substitute Ellis McQuade had to be replaced himself late in the match as a head knock forced him off. McQuade’s replacement Matty Robertson forced a good save from Royal keeper David Thomson before Shipyard scored what turned out to be the winner in the 87th minute. A long throw from Daniel Brockie was headed on by Iain Millar and Darrell was on hand at the back post to head into the net.
Richardson was much happier with the second half performance as he said “They got a bit of a roasting at half time, and it seemed to work as we were much more at it. We had much more possession and created a few chances and ultimately got the winner. I am delighted to get the three points.”
Next week our focus returns to the Scottish Cup as Irvine Meadow XI visit Recreation Park for our first-round tie. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
Harthill Royal: D. Thomson; T. Sigauke; J. McNie; G. Moore; P. Luak; L. Paton; J. Otonti (C. Morrison); F. Hall; D. Klienman (P. Glibowski); K. Kalala; D. Strickland (A. Cross). Unused Subs: C. McDougall; E. Buchanan; M. Butler; R. Javed.
Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt 65’); M. James; I. Millar; D. Anthony; A. McAndrew (J. Galloway 46’); B. Kerr; K. Murphy; B. Anthony (K. Ritchie 74’); D. McBay (E. McQuade 46’) (M. Robertson 79’). Unused Subs: E. Bauld & C. McBay.
Shipyard and Kennoway took a point each following a 1-1 draw at Treaton Park on Saturday. Shippy were ahead at the interval thanks to Mikey Gibb’s 5th goal of the season, however, Dylan Walker equalised early in the second half and that’s how it finished as neither side could find a winner. Finlay Russell deputised in goals for the suspended Ryan Couser with club captain Iain Millar making a welcome return from injury, slotting into the heart of the defence. Daniel Brockie, Matty Robertson, Ellis McQuade and Blair Kerr all came into the starting eleven with Craig McBay, Ethan Bauld, Tony McAndrew, Kris Murphy and Ben Anthony dropping out for various reasons.
Shipyard got off to a good start as they broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Millar played a delightful ball down the inside left channel allowing Gibb to bear down on goal and from a narrowing angle he coolly slotted the ball beyond Owen Martin in the Kennoway goal. A free kick from the Kennoway right saw Russell get down at his near post and turn the ball away for a corner. The young keeper then dealt with a couple of shots and crosses quite comfortably. Shippy were dealt a blow in the 39th minute when on form striker Liam Taylor had to be withdrawn following a collision with a pitchside barrier. He was replaced by Jordan Galloway. A throw out from hosts Martin was intercepted by Brockie and the full back strode forward before unleashing a fierce drive that just cleared the crossbar.
Shipyard had a disastrous start to the second half when they conceded a needless goal. Russell’s attempted clearance was partially blocked by the Kennoway forward and the loose ball fell perfectly for Walker who fired the ball into the empty net from around 25 yards. A free kick bounced dangerously across the face of Shippy’s goal before a long throw and a corner had to be dealt with by the visitor’s defence. Shipyard were having to deal with a few set pieces while at the other end it seemed every attack was broken up by the referee whistling for offside.
After the match manager Lee Richardson said “We tired a bit as the match wore on and maybe didn’t exert enough pressure on them in the second half. Obviously, I am disappointed with the goal we conceded but these things happen, and we move on.”
We have a free Saturday next week before travelling to Gibbshill Park to face Harthill Royal on the 21st of September.
Kennoway Star Hearts: O. Martin; B. Mair (M. Wilson); A. Cameron; L. Young; L. Black; D. Walker; S. Johnstone; L. Bennett (E. Stanfield); D. Nugent; J. McLelland; C. Anderson (C. Hutchison). Unused Subs: A. Tabengwa Sweeney; L. Gartshore; D. Meldrum; B. Duffield.
Burntisland Shipyard: F. Russell; D. Brockie; K. Crielly (E. Jowitt); M. Robertson; I. Millar (E. Bauld); D. Anthony; E. McQuade (C. McBay); B. Kerr; D. McBay (K. Beard); L. Taylor (J. Galloway); M. Gibb.
The solid defensive display in Saturday’s cup win over Dunipace seemed like a distant memory last night as West Calder United were gifted three goals and let’s be honest, it could have been a couple more with the Shippy defence all at sea. The visitors were two ahead within ten minutes and only the referee’s whistle denied them a third with barely twenty minutes on the clock. The Shippy did rally and when Liam Taylor pulled one back before the interval the game was back in the balance, however, another defensive lapse enabled United to restore their two-goal lead shortly before the hour mark. Daniel Brockie who was injured on Saturday dropped to the bench with Craig McBay filling in for him and with Mark James unavailable Mikey Gibb dropped back into the defence with Taylor starting up front.
The Shipyard fell behind in the sixth minute when they failed to clear the ball and James Mccullagh was on hand to score. Four minutes later it was two as a hooked shot beat Ryan Couser and hit the post and Jamie McAllister knocked the ball over the line. In the 18th minute a free kick from wide on the left found the United player in acres of space and he would have been disappointed to hit the bar given such a good opportunity. Taylor drove a just over the bar with West Calder keeper Ryan McIndoe beaten. The big keeper then parried a low Darrell Anthony drive round the post at the expense of a corner. Taylor got his side back into the match with a fine goal. He beat the offside trap, pushed the ball past McIndoe, gathered it again and knocked it into the empty net.
Brockie replaced C. McBay for the Shipyard at the start of the second half. Dan McBay headed a Ben Anthony free kick wide in the 56th minute as the Shippy looked to get back level, however, they gifted the visitors another just seconds later as Jason Gregory netted following another mistake. Kris Murphy had great chance in the 60th minute as he broke clear of the united defence, but he could not get the ball out of his feet as he rounded McIndoe. The ball broke to substitute Blair Kerr, but Kerr’s shot was blocked. Murphy saw his free kick held while at the other end Couser denied the visitors with a great save. With ten minutes remaining Gibb, who had been moved forward saw his strike whistle just past the post. With three minutes remaining Shippy keeper Couser was shown a red card for something he said to a West Calder player. After the match, the referee informed the Shipyard manager and a committee member why he had shown Couser the red card.
Manager Lee Richardson was perplexed after the game when he said “I can’t believe how badly we defended tonight, particularly in those initial stages. When Liam got us back into the game, I felt that we had a decent chance to take something out of it but the third goal, from another mistake, killed us.”
O Saturday we make the short trip to Treaton Park as we face Kennoway Star Hearts in a league match. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
Burntisland Shipyard: R. Couser; C. McBay (D. Brockie); K. Crielly; E. Bauld; M. Gibb; D. Anthony; A. McAndrew (B. Kerr); D. McBay; K. Murphy (M. Robertson); B. Anthony (F. Russell); L. Taylor. Unused Subs:
West Calder United: R. McIndoe; G. Fallon; J. Laing; H. Maguire; J. Mccullagh (S. Hay); J. Gregory; G. Livingstone (L. Clark); J. McAllister; A. Jackson (A. Morgan); M. Zata; S. Jackson. Unused Subs: C. Chilton; G. McQuillan.
The Shipyard has been drawn at home to face Irvine Meadow XI in the 1st Round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 28th September 2024 at Recreation Park. Full details of match arrangements will be published in due course.
