Newburgh commenced the 2024/25 season with a historic visit of Linton Hotspur for their first trip to East Shore Park. Both sides were looking to have an improved campaign compared to previous season and were eager to get off to a good start on the opening day.
Logan Whyte had the season’s first chance after Mackenzie Williamson nudged Ehizojie off the ball in the middle of the park and Whyte’s low shot from just outside the area was pushed away by the keeper in the 7th minute. Furness went close for Linton moments later after the visitors came out on top from a drop ball and his low effort went wide of the post.
Mitchell Sharp then went close in the 12th with a free kick on the edge of the area that was pushed over the bar by Gibb.
There was a scare in the 29th minute as the ball bobbled just as Johnny Malcolm went to play a ball back to keeper Russell resulting in it looping high towards the helpless keeper. With a striker pressing, Russell’s difficult clearance sliced up and towards goal and the keeper was in two minds what to do as he back tracked to goal and fisted the ball away. The result was a booking and an indirect free kick just by the six yard box.
Thankfully the danger was averted and the talking point switched the other end as Burgh broke away with the speedy Whyte beating the defender to the ball just inside the home team’s half and was cynically scythed down. Whyte still would have had a lot to do but he had the pace and would have made it towards goal before a defender would have come across to cover but the official showed the defender a yellow card which, perhaps, was the right decision. Had Whyte been 10-20 yards further forward, it could have been a different outcome.
Linton took the lead in the 40th minute when a high ball into the Linton half was headed forward by Greig and then flicked on by Ehizojie putting Furness through on goal and he slotted past Russell for the opener.
The visitors started the second period sharper and McKenzie forced Russell into a save minutes after the restart and then Watson also tested the keeper.
Manager Andy Healy made a couple of changes and Trialist B also made an immediate impact after the Linton keeper made a hash of a clearance just outside his area with the ball falling to the trialist about 30 yards out who lobbed the retreating keeper but also narrowly beat the crossbar too.
Watson then went close when he hit the base of the post after a break forward in the 55th minute and Ehizojie forced Russell to save well. Mitchell Sharp then went close with a run and shot on the right that was pushed behind by Gibb in the 60th minute.
Linton doubled their lead in the 61st minute when a high ball into the box saw Russell go for the punch under pressure from a striker with the ball landing nicely at the feet of Ehizojie who made it 2-0.
Burgh were stepping up the pace to get back into the game and Kellar Harris was put through on goal by sub Owen McNally and saw his shot saved by the keeper’s feet with the rebound falling to Trialist B whose effort was blocked by a defender.
Burgh then had three efforts blocked in quick succession with the ball falling to McCallion who sent over a cross that the Trialist could only head over in the 66th minute.
With the game coming to the end, Burgh were still not giving up and after a cross from Williamson wide on the right, Trialist and defender collided and the ball was hooked away but fell to Sharp who turned inside and fired a shot into the far corner that was brilliantly tipped away by Gibb in the 85th minute.
In injury time McNally did well to control the ball down, quickly turn past Greig and slide a great ball through to Trialist RHYS WARDLAW who easily slotted past Gibb. Unfortunately it was a little too late and Linton held on to the points.
A disappointing start, but a lot to work on and be encouraged about. The season, of course, is a marathon not a sprint and there’s plenty to play for.
Man of the Match: Lewis Stevenson – a very good performance at left back, some important tackles.
