The Burgh were back at East Shore Park for the third Saturday on the trot with hopes of completing another third – this time completing a hat-trick of wins over visitors Edinburgh United following two successes in the Capital – and buoyed after the previous week’s win over Livingston.
A week is a long time in football, and this proved the case. With a weakened side struck down with a sickness bug going through the camp, it was not to be a repeat with United leaving Fife with the points.
The early signs were good, however, with striker Andrew McCallion making his first start with attackers Tam Hampson, Lyall Brown and Mackenzie Williamson all absent. In the 2nd minute Andrew received a pass on the right from Owen McCallion to drive into the box and get his shot away which was tipped over by United keeper Barlas.
Moments later Andrew McCallion beat the offside trap to force Barlas to race out from goal to head clear with the ball falling to Owen who was unable to find the target from distance with the goal exposed.
At the other end, Scott Kyles did well to save from Wynne in the 17th minute pushing away an overhead shot, whilst getting down low to push a shot at his near post from Hunter on 25 minutes.
In the 29th minute Owen McCallion tested the palms of Barlas after Kyle Tracey played the Burgh man on the right side of the box. On 35 minutes a good spell of Burgh pressure saw a quick succession of shots blocked from Owen McCallion (twice), Tracey and Adam Wilson.
On 39 minutes a ball into the United penalty area was headed away by a defender before Wilson and then Tracey flicked forward to present Owen McCallion with another chance for a powerful drive from 10 yards out that was pushed behind for a corner.
United nearly took the lead in the 41st minute when Kyles did well to come out quickly to deny McQuillan from close range, with the follow up being covered by Calum Leadbeatter and going behind.
The opening goal duly arrived just before half time with an excellent free kick from Roue curling round the wall giving Kyles no chance. In first half stoppage time Owen McNally’s persistence nearly paid off when he won possession just inside the United area and his low shot was blocked by the legs of keeper Barlas.
The second half got off to the worst possible start as Burgh didn’t clear their lines and Wynne nodded a header over the defence for Roue to knock home from 6 yards.
Newburgh had a good chance to get back into the game on 52 minutes when a dinked Beattie free kick found Callum Roughead unmarked but his header went just wide of the post.
The killer goal came on the hour mark when another Roue free kick floated into the Burgh penalty area eluded everybody but McQuillan unmarked at the back post to finish past Kyles.
Kyles then had to recover to save from McQuillan at the second attempt as Burgh looked deflated from the third goal. From the following corner that was played back out to Roue on the wing, the United no.20 sent over a deep cross/shot that Kyles managed to back track and tip over.
In the 72nd minute United scored their fourth goal of the game when another Roue corner fell onto the head of sub Bosepa to nod home from close range.
The game dwindled out with few remaining chances, other than an audacious chip from Roue inside the centre circle as he saw Kyles off his line but the effort cleared the cross bar.
A disappointing outcome from Burgh who had gone into the game with high spirits. Much could be pointed at the number of absentees and possible other players feeling less than 100%, but the manner of defeat was a let down against a side that deserved the points.
