Newburgh faced a massive task in the 2nd Round of the South Challenge Cup at East Shore for the reward of beating Kinnoull in the First Round with a visit of Lowland League side Civil Service Strollers, a team sitting 4 divisions above the Burgh.
A monumental tie on a bright afternoon with a good crowd present, with the teams lead out by young Jaxon and the team of Newburgh 2011s.
Burgh showed no fear of their higher-level opposition and, in fact, posed an early fright for the side from Edinburgh when Logan Whyte gave the home side the lead in only the 2nd minute when he hooked a high shot home from about 6 yards out after Mitchell Sharp’s long throw was headed on to beat Strollers’ keeper Owens at the near post.
The visitors were soon back showing their possession and strength that you would expect from that gulf in League positions in the 5th minute when Aluko’s effort was well saved by Joe Russell with the rebound put over by Yeats before being blown for offside.
Scott was slid through in the 11th minute but his shot by the legs of Russell and Aluko turned neatly but fired wide in the 13th minute.
Burgh were dealt a cruel blow in the 15th minute when defender Matty Mitchell was caught in a fairly innocuous-looking challenge with Aluko but came off worse and was carried off. Mitchell, unfortunately, was taken to hospital and the outcome is serious enough that the popular player will be absent from the team for some time. We wish Matty all the best on his recovery.
The Strollers got the equaliser many expected in the 19th minute when Yeats played through Aluko just inside the area. Johnny Malcolm managed to get a foot in to block any shot but the ball fell to Scott to roll home from 15 yards out to make it 1-1.
Whilst the visitors dominated the first half chances that came at either end, Burgh were certainly putting in a good account of themselves and not being over-run.
McLeod put an effort over from just inside the area in the 27th minute before Mackenzie Williamson’s looping backwards header landed on the roof of the Stroller’s net on 31 minutes.
Scott had another couple of chances before the break, with his second bringing an outstanding point-blank save from Russell and Yeats also testing the Burgh keeper.
Just before half time the visitors took the lead when a cross from the right found Yeats unmarked at the back post to tap home from close range.
Burgh were still well in the game with a shout and produced another scare for the Lowland League side by scoring a second – and equalising – in the 60th minute when Sharp’s free-kick prowess yielded further results with an effort keeper Owens will perhaps be kicking himself about not doing better. But it was a well-placed set piece and a goal’s a goal as Sharp wheeled away in celebration.
The joy was short-lived, though, as within two minutes Civil Service had regained the lead on 62 minutes when Yeats again found himself with too much space to curl a low effort into the far corner with a neat finish.
Credit to Burgh, though, who kept their heads up chasing another equaliser and a driving run by Sharp on the right wing sent over a glorious ball towards the six-yard box but just out of reach of an oncoming team-mate to get the final touch on.
New signing Stevie Jefferies came on for the last 18 minutes with Owen McCallion and looked a threat. His pace and energy looked to really keep the Strollers’ defence on their toes.
It was a really pleasing performance from the Burgh team, despite the result. There was absolutely no disgrace in coming out on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against Lowland opposition. It is now important to extend that application into League duty starting with the visit back to the capital next weekend.
Sponsors Man of the Match: Mackenzie Williamson.
