The Burgh’s Cup run ended at the hands of the Premier Division Champions Linlithgow Rose at Prestonfield, but the scoreline does not show the “gallant” display by the Second Division visitors who put in a hard-working performance against a side who were, understandably, on a high from winning the title and just simply too strong.
It was Michael Perrie who had the first chance in the 6th minute when his effort was blocked by a defender after Hamid Eddouss had put Perrie through on the edge of the box.
The opening goal came in the 16th minute when a ball from the left played in Sneddon heading towards the area. The Linlithgow no.16 beat Malcolm and fired a powerful drive into the bottom corner of the net past David Chalmers.
To their credit, Burgh kept working away and still looked capable of creating chances of their own and Perrie had another chance shooting over after a good team move and a low ball from the right to Perrie 12 yards out in the 23rd minute.
Newburgh were doing a good job of limiting shots at their goal against a slick moving Linlithgow side. Ogilvie was through on goal in the 34th minute but Chalmers was out well to save. Docherty had an effort for the hosts in the 43rd minute just wide of the far post, whilst a minute later Baxter was unable to capitalise after Johnny Malcolm’s clearance cannoned off Ciaran Mayne and the Rose no.23 put his shot wide.
It was a battling performance by Burgh and going in at half time only a goal behind was creditable, even though you sensed the home side were not operating in top gear.
As the second half began, Linlithgow stepped up a notch and their strength began to tell with Docherty and Ogilvie having chances denied by Chalmers. Even then, Burgh still were able to carve out a chance with Harris Mitchell shooting wide following another good team move.
The killer second goal did finally arrive in the 59th minute as Burgh were unable to clear the danger as a shot from the right-hand side of the area flashed across goal, was then crossed in from the left, Malcolm headed away but Allison was on hand to rifle home a powerful drive from the edge of the area.
The hosts were not content to stop there and they threw on a few subs who had the quality and energy to punish a tiring Burgh side. Two goals then came in the space of 79 seconds as McMullan was on hand to tap home from close range after Chalmers could only parry Cunningham’s header from a corner. Then Stowe ran on into the box to dink over the advancing keeper in the 74th minute to make it 4-0.
It was tough on Burgh but highlighted the understandable gulf between the Premier Division Champions and a side two divisions and 44 places below them.
Newburgh were still not prepared to give up and Kellar Harris came close to pulling a goal back when he couldn’t quite get enough of a flick to his shot to beat the keeper after a long ball from White. From the throw out by the keeper, a stray pass from the full-back was intercepted again by Harris and his low shot went just wide of the near post. Johnny Malcolm then tested the gloves of the home keeper in the 82nd minute with a long range strike.
In the 89th minute McMullan beat Andrew Cameron and ran into the box to fire the fifth and final goal low into the corner.
It was a harsh scoreline for Burgh, but one that perhaps highlighted the difference between the two sides whilst not giving the credit Allan Moody’s side deserved for their hard work. I know a few heads were disappointed at full time, but they should not be as they gave Linlithgow a very good game and perhaps it is a sign of the high standards that they are setting themselves.
But they did not disgrace the club, the travelling support or, just as importantly, themselves. They need to give themselves some credit, dust themselves down and get back to the bread and butter starting with Saturday’s trip to Hawick where 3 points is far more important. Put in the effort they did against Linlithgow and they won’t go far wrong.
