The Berts got their pre-season off to the best possible start with a convining win over Newmains United at Gardiners Park.
The pitch survived the early morning heavy rain (which re-appeared at the start of the second half) and lined up two of the new signings, Steven Donaldson and Martin Payne, in the starting line up with other new signings Lee Reddington and Sam Courts on the bench. Chris Hughes was unavailable due to injury, along with skipper Andy Barratt, Andy MacFarlane and Greig Sinclair.
Newmains started the game the most lively when put through in the 5th minute, forcing Chris Galloway into a smart save. Then in the 12th minute came close from a free-kick, awarded after a foul by James Davies which resulted in the Newmains number 7 hobbling off the pitch, taking no further part in the game.
The Berts soon took control of the game and grabbed the lead with a fine goal from Craig McGuire, who turned and shot home from just inside the box following a corner from the right.
The lead was extended when Greig Robertson headed home from close range from another corner, this time from the left, with the visiting defence again struggling to deal with set-pieces. Robertson powering home a header at the far post from about 3 yards out on 23 minutes.
Then in the 33rd minute Lee Celentano was unable to connect fully with a volley from a good Stevie Brown cross on the right. A minute later Robertson again went close from distance with a shot just over the bar.
Eight minutes later McGuire again went close after cutting in from the left well and shooting just wide. This was followed moments later with a shot from Willie Telford from outside the area which was well saved by the Newmains keeper with Celentano unable to finish from an acute angle or find a team-mate.
The half finished with the Berts now comfortable with their 2-0 lead. At half time, manager Ross Kinnell made 4 changes with Colin Rushford, Reddington, Courts and Colin Jeffrey all appearing.
The achilles heel of Berts matches towards the end of last season reappeared again with a slow start to a half which almost saw Newmains score. Firstly on 48 minutes a back header from Reddington sold sub keeper Rushford short but the opposition striker failed to capitalise. Then a few minutes later a cross from the right flew across the Berts goal with, thankfully, nobody on hand to get on the end of the cross.
On 55 minutes a good run from Brown involved a lay off with Jeffrey but unfortunately the players were on different wavelengths and the move broke down. Possession was quickly regained and Payne had a shot blocked just outside the box. A few moments later a deep cross from Brown briefly troubled the Newmains defence before just sailing over the crossbar at the far post.
On 60 minutes the Berts were awarded a penalty when Jeffrey was brought down in the box as he turned. The referee was in no doubt and awarded the kick. Brown stepped up and planted the ball into the top right hand corner to put the home side 3-0 up.
Two minutes later the lead was further extended when Jeffrey got himself on the scoresheet with a good volley from a Brown cross giving the Newmains keeper no chance.
Newmains bravely battled back and created two chances in quick succession with a shot just over on 71 minutes and followed this spell of pressure with a shot a minute later which Rushford touched over the bar.
It was back up the other end when a cross from Payne then saw a shot from Jeffrey saved by the Newmains keeper. The clearance was very quickly lost and McGuire got himself on the scoresheet to give the Berts a 5-0 lead.
On 78 minutes a long solo run from Brown saw Berts right sided player burst into the Newmains penalty area and unleash a shot which went just wide. It was to be the last action of note for Brown who was injured in a tackle and appeared to twist his knee as he fell. It was clear he was unable to take any further part and the Berts saw out the last 10 minutes with ten men with all available subs being used.
On 83 minutes Newmains nearly gifted Berts a sixth when a mix up between defender and keeper saw a header loop over the bar. A minute later they achieved that!
The visitors did manage to get on the scoresheet in the closing minutes with a header which looked to have possibly cleared off the line. But the referee was well-placed to deem the ball had in fact crossed the line. Jimmy Brown managed to take a photo and it would suggest that from the positioning of the defender that the referee was indeed correct to award the goal.
The only piece of remaining action of the game saw Newmains break on their right and force Rushford into a save before the referee blew for full time.
A useful work out for the Berts and we would like to thank our visitors for coming over to Lochgelly for the game today. We wish you all the best for the new season.
