Johnstone Burgh secured their place in The 3 Pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Quarter Final with a hard fought 1-0 win over Dundee Violet at Glenesk Park, Dundee.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made two changes from the team that won 5-0 against Glenafton Athletic 11 days ago, with Lewis King coming in for Cammy Eadie and Ian McShane for club captain Del Esplin.

The Burgh were fast out the traps, and the first chance of the game would come after just 30 seconds for Ciaran Diver, but his left shot from 16 yards flew just over the crossbar.

Johnstone Burgh came close again after 10 minutes through Lewis King, but he headed wide from just six yards following Blair Rossiter's dangerous free kick.

Ciaran Diver had the next chance for the Burgh after 14 minutes, but his low shot from 14 yards was saved to the goalkeepers left following Rossiter's pass.

The Johnstone side's pressure would finally pay off after 16 minutes as Ian McShane's powerful right foot volley from 20 yards found the back of the net, via a deflection, after a clever lay off from the in-form Leon Murphy.

Dundee Violet, who had barely threatened their opposition, had a half chance to level, but the chance was headed over the bar, from six yards following a high ball into the Burgh box in the 31st minute.

Ian McShane had the chance to put The Burgh 2-0 up a minute later, but his shot 20 yards from goal flew wide of the goalkeeper's right hand post. Johnstone Burgh would continue to push for their second goal and came close again through Blair Rossiter after 39 minutes. The skillful attacker produced some lovely skill in the box to create the opening, but his well struck shot from 10 yards was brilliantly saved by the Dundee Violet goalkeeper.

As half time approached, Stuart Faulds came close to putting The Burgh 2-0 up in the 41st minute, but his back-post header from 8 yards went just wide of the right hand post, following a fine cross from Lewis King.

The Cup holders would lead 1-0 going into the break.

Half time: 0-1

Burgh manager MacKinnon would make two changes at half time, with Allan MacKenzie and Darren Christie replacing Ciaran Diver and Aaron Mason.

As the rain started to come down, it would be Dundee Violet who would have the first chance of the second half in the 47th minute, but the powerful shot from 20 yards ended up far closer to the corner flag than Luke Scullion's net.

Darren Christie had the first chance for the Burgh in the second half after 52 minutes, but his right foot shot from 14 yards went well over the crossbar. Allan MacKenzie was next to come close for the Keanie Park side but his header at at back post, six yards from goal, was blocked by the Dundee Violet defender in the 57th minute. There were cries of a handball from the Burgh players but the referee waved play on.

As the weather conditions got worse and the game started to get very scrappy, the next chance would fall to Darren Christie who would see his shot from the edge of the box well blocked by "The Pansies" defence after 62 minutes.

Johnstone Burgh's next chance would fall to Blair Rossiter, but his low 20 yard strike was easily saved by the Dundee Violet goalkeeper with 66 minutes on the clock.

With 14 minutes of normal time to play, Burgh forward Allan MacKenzie had a great chance to seal the tie for the Cup holders, but his right foot shot from 10 yards flew just over the crossbar.

As the match entered the first minute of injury time, Dundee Violet would have their most clear cut chance of the match, but the well struck shot from the left hand side of the box, 10 yards from goal, was well saved by Burgh number 1 Luke Scullion.

The Cup holders would see out the final three minutes of injury time to secure a 1-0 win and a Quarter Final tie at Keanie Park against Dundee North End.

Full time: 0-1

Goal: McShane 16

Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Forrester, O'Neill (C), Faulds, Murphy (Watson 85), McShane (Esplin 85), Diver (MacKenzie 46), Rossiter (Lafferty 85), Mason (Christie 46)

Man of the match: TBC (cast your vote here)

A big thank you to the Burgh support who travelled to Dundee today, who do the club proud week in week out. Also a huge thank you to Dundee Violet for the fantastic hospitality they showed the Johnstone Burgh supporters. We wish the club all the best for the rest of the season.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Auchinleck Talbot in the WoSFL, at Keanie Park on Wednesday 25th February, kick off 7:30pm, in what will be a historic night for the club as we play our first match under the new floodlights. See you all there.

© Match Report: John
© Images: Mitch, Iain, Graham