Johnstone Burgh showed some serious grit and determination to secure three points in tonight’s Scottish Lowland League West fixture at Portland Park, Troon.
Our manager, Stevie Farrell, made three changes from the starting XI that played in the 4-4 draw against Cumbernauld Colts at Broadwood Stadium last Saturday (12th September). Kian Gilday, Ian McShane and Malky McDonald dropped out, with Lewis King, Leon Murphy and Max Kerr coming into the starting XI.
We made the perfect start and took the lead in the 3rd minute. Mark Durnan’s long ball was poorly dealt with by the Troon defence, as Jamie Mills’ clearance fell straight to Max Kerr. He made no mistake as his low left-foot shot from 22 yards found the centre of the net via a deflection off Carter Frew.
Troon were next to threaten in the 6th minute when Ben Hughes lined up a direct free-kick 30 yards from goal, but his curling left-foot strike went just wide of the left-hand post.
The Seasiders had another chance to score in the 11th minute when Kyle Gilroy showed some nice skill on the left wing to create an opening, but his high right-foot shot from 25 yards was saved by Brett Long.
We had a great chance to double our lead in the 13th minute when Mark Barrowman launched a long ball up the park from deep inside his own half. It found Kris Kerr, who superbly brought the ball under control at the edge of the box to leave himself with only Troon goalkeeper Martin McDonald to beat. However, his left-foot shot crept just wide of the right-hand post.
We came close to scoring again in the 20th minute when Mark Durnan’s first-time, right-footed long-range pass put Aaron Mason through on goal. His right-foot shot from 14 yards was well saved by Martin McDonald.
We doubled our lead in the 22nd minute with a well-worked goal. Stuart Faulds’ sharp pass released Kristopher Kerr down the left-hand side. He drove into the box before firing a left-footed pass across the face of goal to find Max Kerr at the back post. Max made no mistake as he slotted the ball high into the net from six yards.
Despite an action-packed opening quarter, there was no further incident of note during the remainder of the first half. Wind and heavy rain made it increasingly difficult for both sides to create clear-cut chances.
Half-time: Troon FC 0-2 Johnstone Burgh FC
Troon had the first chance of the second half in the 54th minute when the ball broke to club captain Leyton Dunlop 25 yards from goal. His first-time left-foot shot went well wide of the left-hand post.
The Seasiders continued to push and had a good chance to pull a goal back in the 63rd minute when the ball broke to Ben Hughes, giving him a clear sight of goal. His left-foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Brett Long.
We had a chance to make it three in the 67th minute when Aaron Mason’s headed flick-on just inside the Troon half released Kristopher Kerr. He ran through on goal, but his low left-foot shot from 14 yards was well saved by Troon goalkeeper Rohan Harkins, who had replaced the injured Martin McDonald in the first half.
Troon reduced the deficit with a well-struck goal in the 74th minute. Max Guthrie laid the ball off to Dario Viviani, who unleashed a right-foot shot from 25 yards that flew into the top right-hand corner of the net.
The home side had a chance to equalise in the 79th minute as Leyton Dunlop’s corner from the left found David Syme. His header from eight yards was saved by Brett Long.
The final chance of the match came for Troon in the 85th minute when Ben Hughes lined up a direct free-kick 25 yards from goal. His left-foot shot went wide of the left-hand post.
We saw out the final few minutes to secure a 2-1 win.
Following tonight’s result, we remain in 8th place in the table on 15 points after eight matches.
Full-time: Troon FC 1-2 Johnstone Burgh FC
Troon FC goal: Viviani 74
Johnstone Burgh FC goals: M. Kerr 3rd and 22nd
Troon FC: McDonald (Harkins 26), Armstrong, Mills, Frew, Syme, Viviani (Craig 81), Dunlop (captain) (Armstrong 90), Hughes, Fulton (Guthrie 46), Gilroy, Allan (Ferguson 81).
Unused substitutes: Morrison, Veitch.
Johnstone Burgh FC: Long, King, Murphy, Barrowman, Durnan, Esplin (captain), Faulds, M. Kerr (Williamson 86), K. Kerr (Nosa 84), Watson, Mason.
Unused substitutes: Scullion, Grady, McKay.
Match officials:
Referee: Thomas Denholm
Assistant referee 1: Freya MacDonald
Assistant referee 2: Gary Robertson
A massive thank you to our fantastic supporters who travelled to Troon tonight to back the team.
Our next match is a trip to Nicol-Togneri Park to face North of Scotland Football League Championship side New Elgin JFC in the second round of the Scottish Communities Cup on Saturday 19th September. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.
#MonTheBurgh
By John Armour
