Johnstone Burgh dropped down to 5th place in the table, as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against 14th placed Shotts Bon Accord at Hannah Park, Shotts.

Burgh interim manager, Graeme Ramage, made four changes from the starting XI that played in the 1-1 draw with Beith Juniors last Saturday at Keanie Park. In came Lewis King, Ben Mullen, Jude Cummins and Broque Watson, and out went Scott Forrester, Malky McDonald, Aaron Mason and Sam McGarva.

The Burgh made a fast start and almost took the lead inside the first minute as Blair Rossiter put in a fine cross from the right hand side, which found Jude Cummins at the back post, but his header from 6 yards went over the crossbar.

The away side didn't wait long for the opening goal which came in the 10th minute. Aiden Gilmartin superbly brought down a high ball from a Kian Gilday headed clearance on the halfway line, before producing a brilliant through ball with the outside of his left foot to send Jude Cummins through on goal. Cummins made no mistake as he calmly fired a right foot shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 16 yards.

The Burgh were well on top and almost made it goal number two in the 15th minute as club captain Del Esplin found some space just outside the box, but his powerful right foot shot was well saved by Sandy Thomson.

The chances continued to come for Johnstone Burgh, and they once again came close to scoring in the 16th minute. Blair Rossiter showed some good skill in the right hand side of the box to create himself a sight of goal, but his curling left foot shot from 16 yards was brilliantly saved by Sandy Thomson.

Shotts Bon Accord's first real chance of the match came in the 23rd minute. Marc McKenzie done well to control a high ball to leave him with a clear sight of goal, but his left foot shot from 16 yards went wide of the right hand post.

The home side levelled the match in the 27th minute with a superb goal when the ball was cleared from the box from a long throw in, which fell to Robbie Torrance who fired a tremendously powerful right foot shot from 35 yards into the top left hand corner of the net, leaving Luke Scullion with no chance.

Shotts Bon Accord came close to taking the lead through club captain Ally Martin in the 33rd minute, but his right foot volley from 12 yards was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Scullion.

The teams would go in level at the break.

Half time: 1-1

Johnstone Burgh started the second half well and had a couple of chances in the 47th and 48th minutes. Firstly Ben Mullen's goalbound header at the back post was deflected wide of the right hand post, then Kian Gilday's header from 10 yards went over the crossbar.

Shotts Bon Accord took the lead in the 49th minute. Taylor Evans won the battle with Ben Mullen at the edge of the box, before firing an unstoppable left foot shot high into the net from around 12 yards.

The home side missed their chance to score their third goal of the afternoon in the 65th minute when Taylor Evans pounced on an error from Ben Mullen, but with the goal at his mercy he dragged his left foot shot wide of the right hand post from 10 yards.

The Burgh had a half chance in the 70th minute as Aaron Mason created himself a good opening, but his right foot shot from 20 yards was deflected wide of the left hand post.

In the 72nd minute, U20 development player Noah Grady came off the bench to make his first appearance for the Johnstone Burgh senior team. Congratulations Noah.

Shotts Bon Accord scored their third goal that would seal the three points in the 88th minute. Ben Richford's superb pass put Taylor Evans in on goal, and he made no mistake as his right foot shot from 8 yards found the back of the net.

The home side claimed for a penalty in the third minute of added time, as Ben Richford went down after knocking the ball past Luke Scullion, but the referee waved play on.

Shotts Bon Accord seen out the last minute of added time to secure a deserved 3-1 win.

Following today's defeat Johnstone Burgh have dropped down to 5th in the table on 44 points with 27 matches played.

Full time: 3-1

Shotts Bon Accord goals: Torrance 27, Evans 49, 88

Johnstone Burgh goal: Cummins 10

Man Of The Match: Kian Gilday

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant, Gilday, King, Mullen (McShane 72), Esplin (C), Cummins (Mason 63), Faulds, Gilmartin (MacKenzie 63), Watson (Grady 72), Rossiter

A big thank you to all the Johnstone Burgh supporters who travelled to Shotts to attend today's match.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Kilwinning Rangers in the WoSFL Premier Division, in what will be our final home match of the season at Keanie Park on Saturday 9th May. Kick off is at 2pm.

Match Report: ©John
Images: ©Graham

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