Johnstone Burgh and Gretna FC 2008 shared the spoils as they played out a 2-2 draw in this afternoon’s Scottish Lowland Football League West match at Raydale Park, Gretna.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made three changes to the starting XI that defeated Eglinton 7-1 in the South Region Challenge Cup Third Round at Keanie Park last Saturday (10th October). Out went Luke Scullion, Lewis King and Thomas Orr, while Brett Long, Mark Durnan and Max Kerr came into the starting line-up.
The home side created the first chance of the match in the ninth minute as Lewis Bell’s cross from the left wing found Iain Anderson, but his header from eight yards went wide of the right-hand post.
Johnstone Burgh enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to create any clear-cut chances in the early stages. The Anvils, however, had the next opportunity to score in the 20th minute when Finlay Kennedy had a sight of goal, but his left-footed shot from 18 yards was saved by Brett Long.
Gretna FC 2008 had a great chance to open the scoring in the 27th minute when Finlay Kennedy took advantage of some hesitation in the centre of the Burgh defence, but after nipping in to steal the ball, his low, left-footed shot from 16 yards was well saved by Long.
The away side enjoyed the majority of possession, but once again it was the home side who created the next chance in the 31st minute. Finlay Kennedy’s cross from the right-hand side found Luke McMurtrie, but his powerful header from eight yards went wide of the right-hand post.
The Burgh took the lead in the 35th minute with a well-worked goal as Del Esplin’s long-range pass found Aaron Mason on the right-hand side. Mason then made a good run before delivering a right-footed cross into the box that found Kristopher Kerr, who made no mistake as his header from seven yards flew high into the top left-hand corner of the net.
There were no further clear-cut chances before half-time, meaning the Keanie Park side went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Half-time: 0-1
Johnstone Burgh started the second half well and won a penalty in the 49th minute. Broque Watson had a great chance to score following a pass from Kristopher Kerr, but his low, left-footed shot from eight yards was well saved by the Anvils’ captain and goalkeeper, Jim Atkinson.
The ball rebounded to Watson, who was then fouled by Sam Atkinson, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Watson stepped up and showed composure, firing a powerful right-footed shot high into the centre of the net in the 50th minute.
The Johnstone side had a great chance to score their third goal of the afternoon in the 52nd minute as Max Kerr’s cross found Aaron Mason seven yards from goal, but his header was somehow kept out by the home defence.
Gretna FC 2008 were still in the game and pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Ryan Muir’s long through ball found Matt Hall just inside the right-hand side of the box. Hall struck a sensational right-footed shot on the bounce that flew over Brett Long and high into the net.
The Anvils were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute when Matt Hall’s through ball found Lewis Bell, who was fouled just inside the box by Burgh captain Del Esplin, according to the assistant referee on the far side.
The referee once again pointed to the spot and Gretna FC 2008’s top scorer, Iain Anderson, stepped up to take the penalty. His right-footed shot was superbly tipped onto the right-hand post by Long, but Anderson was first to react to the rebound, tapping the ball into the net from six yards to level the match in the 73rd minute.
The Burgh had a half-chance to retake the lead in the 82nd minute as Aaron Mason had a sight of goal, but his right-footed shot from 18 yards was saved by Jim Atkinson.
The away side continued to push for a winner and created another chance in the 88th minute when Adam Livingstone’s cross from the left found Mason, but his header from 10 yards was once again saved by Atkinson.
The final chance of the match fell to Johnstone Burgh in the first minute of added time as Broque Watson’s pass set up Lewis King with a clear sight of goal, but his right-footed shot from eight yards was well saved by Gretna FC 2008 captain Jim Atkinson.
The referee blew the final whistle to confirm that the match had ended all square. Following today’s result, Johnstone Burgh remain in seventh place in the table with 19 points from 11 matches.
Full-time: Gretna FC 2008 2-2 Johnstone Burgh FC
Gretna FC 2008 goals: Hall 68, Anderson 73
Johnstone Burgh FC goals: K. Kerr 35, Watson (pen) 50
Gretna FC 2008: J. Atkinson (C), Hill (Currie 55), S. Atkinson, McMurtrie, Bell, Oram, McGeough (McLinden 85), Lamonby (Short 55), Muir, Kennedy (Hall 55), Anderson.
Unused substitute: Aitchison (GK).
Johnstone Burgh: Long, Williamson (King 68), Livingstone, Barrowman, Durnan, Esplin (C), M. Kerr (Jamieson 68), Watson, K. Kerr (Orr 81), Faulds, Mason.
Unused substitutes: Scullion (GK), McKay.
Referee: Mark Catterson
Assistant referee 1: Rodney Marshall
Assistant referee 2: Josh Boag
We would like to thank all the Johnstone Burgh supporters who made the 200-mile round trip south to Gretna for this afternoon’s match. We would also like to thank Gretna FC 2008 for their hospitality.
Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Highland League side Formartine United at Keanie Park in the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Second Round on Saturday 24th October. Kick-off is at 3pm.
#MonTheBurgh
By John Armour
