Burgh travelled the relatively short distance west to Perth to face First Division Kinnoull in the South Challenge Cup, with both sides eager to earn a mouth-watering tie at home to Lowland League Civil Service Strollers in Round 2.
Burgh had a weakened line up due to a number of absentees, and were up against ex-Burgh players Ruairidh McPhate, who started, and Connall White on the bench (but was to make an appearance as early as the 9th minute of the game).
The hosts got off to a quick start as within a minute of kick off Chalmers had a chance blocked but Middleton fired the rebound well over Joe Russell’s crossbar.
After White was called off the Kinnoull bench, the home side took the lead as a free kick from the right-hand touchline was met by the head of Ragan from close range to put the home side 1-0 up.
Their joy was short-lived, though, as great play by Rhys Sneddon flicked a ball through to set Mitchell Sharp on goal. Sharp narrowly beat the keeper to the ball but was clipped by keeper Townley and the referee had no hesitation to point to the spot.
It was a pleasing moment to see skipper Mackenzie Williamson step up and smash home from the spot to register his first goal in Burgh colours and tie the game at 1-1 in the 13th minute.
The confidence in ‘Mack’s play was starting to thrive and in the 18th minute he sent a rasping shot from distance just past the far post leaving Townley scrambling across goal.
Kinnoull were still working hard to regain the lead and glorious chances were spurned by McPhate, who seemed to slice wide with the goal at his mercy, and Wolecki hitting the crossbar from close range and also Ragan missed a good chance when he couldn’t quite connect to force a shot at Russell after being flicked through.
But Burgh were playing some good football of their own, with Sharp looking lively having two good chances, one being put through on goal again with Townley blocking his shot and forcing the keeper into a save, along with an effort from Ryan Heatherill too.
The Burgh midfield were working well and controlling the game with some good possession and passing, in particular both Owens McNally and McCallion.
The decisive goal came just after the start of the second half and owed a lot to the persistence of both Sharp and Adam Wilson. After Sneddon had done well on the left to send over a ball across goal. Wilson recovered the ball on the opposite flank before crossing for Sharp around the six-yard box. Sharp’s first attempt to flick in at the near post was blocked by the defender but the Burgh no.11 got up quickest to flick home the rebound from close range past Townley.
Burgh weren’t without their scares or setbacks either. Russell put his team-mates hearts in their mouths as he was caught out following a back pass. Thankfully Wilson managed to clear the ball before any damage was done. Then losing influential defender Matty Mitchell with injury early in the second half.
But Burgh were still looking to increase their advantage and Sharp again was posing a threat to the Kinnoull defence. Williamson also had a good chance blocked by Townley from close range following a corner on the right in the 56th minute, and McNally had a shot deflected behind in the 60th minute.
Russell was to redeem himself in the Burgh goal with a couple of more important saves, pushing away a stinging effort on 69 minutes. At the other end, Sharp looked to recreate his free kick exploits forcing Townley into a save.
As the game ran into the last 10 minutes, both sides looked capable of scoring as Kinnoull sought an equaliser and Burgh to put the game to bed. In the 86th minute, persistent play by Wilson nearly rewarded him with a goal after he battled to win back possession deep into the opposition final third, he then received a return pass from McNally, laid across to Williamson and then a return pass to set himself up with a chance at goal but it flew just over.
As the clock hit 94 minutes came the biggest moment of the game and showed Burgh the bit of ‘Lady Luck’ that had eluded them so much of last season. A speculative ball deep into the Burgh box from distance by Wilkie seemed to take a slight deflection off Logan Whyte’s effort to block.
The ball sent Russell drastically back-tracking and at full stretch to finger tip the ball onto the bar that seemed destined to fall just under the bar. The loose ball fell slightly behind Robertson to net the rebound and his shot was pounced on by a joyful Russell.
It was a remarkable piece of goalkeeping from Russell and marked a hopeful change in fortunes for Newburgh. Many a time over the past 18 months that would have cruelly found the net, but the dogged resilence from the Black & Whites is starting to yield the results (and luck) they deserve.
It was a great performance all over the park from each and every member of the team and they deserved to enjoy the celebrations every bit, as well as the Burgh followers on the sidelines.
The keeper and defence stood firm throughout, the midfield worked it socks off and played some neat and cutting moves into the opposition half and Sharp ran his socks off and looked a constant threat, but the Man of the Match award went to skipper Williamson who lead like a leader, battled like a lion and was rewarded with his first (of many) Burgh goals.
An exciting tie against Civil Service Strollers awaits in Round 2 but for now, the lads (both present and absent) deserve the plaudits after a rewarding week with a tough draw at leaders Lochgelly on Wednesday and then win at Kinnoull.
