Johnstone Burgh eased a comfortable 4-0 win over Ardrossan Winton Rovers in their fourth pre-season friendly match of the season, at Winton Park, Ardrossan.

Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made five changes from the starting XI that played in the 2-0 win over Knightswood at Keanie Park on Saturday. Out went Brett Long, Lewis King, Del Esplin, Broque Watson and Thomas Orr, and in came Luke Scullion, Scott Williamson, Calvin McGrory, Malky McDonald and Max Kerr.

The away side made a fast start and had the first chance to score in the 4th minute as Ian McShane's corner from the left hand side found Mark Durnan, but the former Dumbarton man volleyed the ball over the bar from 6 yards.

Johnstone Burgh's early pressure paid off as they took the lead in the 9th minute when a slack pass from Ardrossan Winton Rovers captain, Craig Pettigrew, found Calvin McGrory who then ran into the box before firing a right foot shot from 14 yards into the right hand corner of the net, for his first goal for the club.

The Burgh were the team on top and scored their second goal of the match in the 23rd minute. Max Kerr's corner kick from the right hand side found Mark Barrowman, who made no mistake as his powerful header flew high into the net from 6 yards, leaving Ardrossan Winton Rovers goalkeeper, Jamie Barclay, with no chance.

The away side continued to search for their third goal and had their next chance to score in the 31st minute. Kristopher Kerr found himself an opening from just inside the box, but his well struck left foot shot was well saved by Barclay.

Johnstone Burgh continued to dominate, and the next chance to add to their lead came in the 36th minute. Calvin McGrory found himself with plenty of space outside the box, but his right foot shot from around 22 yards went well over the crossbar. Just 3 minutes later, the Burgh had yet another chance to score when Ian McShane showed determined play to create himself an opening, but his right foot shot from 22 yards was easily saved by Barclay.

Ardrossan Winton Rovers had failed to trouble the Burgh at all in the first half, but created their first chance in the 45th minute. George Sewell picked the ball up on the right hand side around 40 yards from goal, he then drove into space before firing a right foot shoot from 22 yards that trundled well wide of the left hand post.

Johnstone Burgh went into the half time break 2-0 ahead.

Half time: 0-2

It was a low key start to the second half, but it would be Johnstone Burgh who would create the next chance of the match in the 60th minute. Ian McShane's fine through ball found Kristopher Kerr, but his left foot shot from 12 yards was easily saved by Barclay.

The Burgh were awarded a penalty kick in the 70th minute when Lewis King's long ball put Broque Watson through on goal but as he lobbed the ball over Jamie Barclay, he was fouled by the Ardrossan Winton Rovers goalkeeper. Up stepped the in-form Thomas Orr, who made no mistake from the spot as, his right foot strike found the back of the net in the 71st minute.

The home side had a rare chance to score from a direct free kick 25 yards from goal in the 78th minute. Up stepped Ross McIver, but his left foot shot was easily saved by Luke Scullion.

Johnstone Burgh scored their fourth and final goal in the 86th minute. Thomas Orr took advantage of another slack pass from Craig Pettigrew as he stroked a left foot shot into the net from 12 yards to score his second goal of the match, and his fifth goal in just three games for the club.

There would be no further action and it would be the Burgh who would come out comfortable 4-0 winners. Both teams made multiple changes in the second half, with Johnstone Burgh making 8 in total.

Full-Time AWR 0-4 JB

Johnstone Burgh goals: McGrory 9, Barrowman 23, Orr (Pen) 71+86

Starting XI: Scullion, Williamson, Gilday, Barrowman(T), Durnan(C), McGrory, Mason, McDonald, K.Kerr, McShane, M.Kerr

Subs: Long(GK), Orr, Faulds, Watson, King, Grady, Gallagher, Martin(T), O'Neill, MacKinnon

A big thank you to all the Johnstone Burgh supporters who made the journey to Ardrossan tonight to back the team.

We would also like to thank our hosts Ardrossan Winton Rovers FC for their hospitality tonight. We wish them all the best for the new season.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to Recreation Park, to face Darvel FC in our fifth pre-season friendly before the start of the new season, on Monday 20th July. Kick off is at 7:30pm.

#MonTheBurgh Words -©️John Armour ✍️ Photos - ©️ Ian Rankin 📸

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