Newburgh travelled to the capital to face Edinburgh United at their temporary home of Saughton Enclosure, normally the ground of Hutchison Vale.
For the Burgh squad, it was a mission to record back-to-back wins following last weekend’s South Challenge Cup triumph over Kinnoull and pick up the first win of the season and continue the recent form which has also seen a 1-1 draw with leaders Lochgelly Albert.
The action got going quickly as in just the 2nd minute a long throw from Mitchell Sharp was flicked on and as Mackenzie Williamson went for the ball and was clattered by a defender. The referee was within yards and had no hesitation of awarding the penalty.
Williamson picked himself up and netted his second goal in as many games as he sent the keeper the wrong way to give Burgh the lead.
Newburgh were playing some good football and in the 11th minute a superb pinpoint through-ball beat the United defence and Sharp was inches away from connecting to surely score.
The good play continued when in the 14th minute Adam Wilson won possession in the centre circle and played another ball through to Sharp who was running from the half way line. As the Burgh no.9 entered the right-hand side his cutback was cleared before he was caught by the keeper on the touchline.
The home side weren’t without chances themselves, but were finding the defence marshalled by Man of the Match Matty Mitchell in good form. A dangerous ball into the box was headed behind by Cammy Newsome, and in the 28th minute a corner from the left was met by Keenan but went just wide of the far post of Joe Russell’s goal.
In the 30th minute Sharp was on target to make it 2-0, much to the credit of a poor clearance by the Edinburgh United keeper and a superb one-touch forward ball by Wilson to set Sharp through to beat the keeper from 10 yards out.
Sharp was a real livewire and he intercepted a short pass to run in on the left hand side of the area, he cut inside and let fire at goal which looped up from a defender’s body and fell to Euan Morris who couldn’t quite keep his effort down to make it 3-0.
Newburgh’s cause took a turn for the worse in the 64th minute as a coming together between Williamson and a United player saw the Burgh skipper pick up his second yellow card.
The visitors numerical disadvantage wasn’t causing any concern as the clock edged towards full time with a Keenan header the only chance that fell the hosts way until a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area deep into injury time.
Helm made the most of his opportunity with this free kick in the 97th minute which beat the wall and keeper to set up a nervy last few moments as Burgh sought to cling on to a lead that had always felt comfortable until that moment.
With time ticking, Russell’s goalmouth resembled a pinball machine on “multiball” mode as balls were pinged on the pitch as quickly as the original had left the pitch. This issue caused confusion in the 98th minute as the original ball was returned after a replacement had been kicked. After much frustration from the home side, the referee deemed this as time wasting and issued Russell with a 2nd yellow card.
With all subs already used, it was Mitchell that donned the gloves and keeper’s shirt for the remaining seconds. With his only touch in goal being the free kick given before Russell’s departure, his clearance upfield was met by the full time whistle.
It was another encouraging performance as the side continue to bed in and settle down. Several very good performances across the park; Adam Wilson did well in midfield, along with CJ Thomson, but it was cameo keeper Mitchell that picked up the award for a solid display in the heart of defence.
Pleasing to record back-to-back wins and extend the unbeaten run to 3 games with a tough Alex Jack Cup tie with Fauldhouse United next on the calendar.
Man of the Match: Matty Mitchell.
