Burgh were returning to competitive action after two weekends off with the visit of Pumpherston for their third visit of the season – this time in the King Cup, in which is seemingly becoming an annual fixture.
In the two previous League meetings this campaign at East Shore Park, visitors Pumpherston had won both and were looking to complete a hat-trick of wins.
They got off to the best start possible as in only the 4th minute a long throw into the box eluded the Burgh defence and Johnston knocked home from close range past the advancing Joe Russell.
But Newburgh were doing their best to get back into the game and seemed to be taking control of the play as the half progressed. Ronnie Martin let fly from distance and saw keeper Turner at full stretch to tip over in the 20th minute, whilst from the resultant corner, Sneddon fired wide of the near post.
Burgh got back into the game in the 30th minute when CJ Thomson’s ankles were clipped from behind and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Mackenzie Williamson stepped up from the spot to fire home to make it 1-1.
Burgh’s joy was short-lived, however, as Pumpherston regained the lead in the 35th minute after Russell did well to stop Johnston’s close range effort but the ball fell to Campbell who followed up the rebound to restore the lead for the away team.
The second half started with the home side determined to get back into the game quickly. With the first attack of the half, Sneddon cut back for a stretching Williamson who couldn’t quite find the target with the ball rolling agonising past the far post.
Williamson did, however, get it right moments later. Sneddon’s deep cross beat everyone and hit the crossbar before falling to Calum Geddes. The Burgh number 9’s turn found Adam Wilson who stung the palms of Turner with the Burgh skipper in like a flash to follow up before the keeper could pounce on the ball.
The Pumpherston keeper was injured colliding with Williamson going for the ball and required treatment as he appeared to take a knock to the cheek whilst diving at the Burgh man’s feet.
Moments later Williamson tested Turner from distance and his shot took a deflection of the defender. Turner did well to get his hands to it before a defender sliced the loose ball upwards. Turner recovered to catch the ball but clearly dazed from the earlier collision, his game was over and sub keeper Baxter replaced him.
Johnston had a couple of good chances for Pumpherston but found Russell in form to deny him, whilst Stevie Jefferies tested Baxter with a powerful shot that the keeper was equal to.
Russell did well again to deny Brash in the 79th minute but was helpless to stop Johnston netting his second of the game moments later with a close range finish.
Burgh frantically chased for their third equaliser of the afternoon with Owen McCallion going close with a deep effort from wide that just cleared the bar
Then Jefferies rose to head home an effort that Baxter got down to push round the post in the 82nd minute and Thomson went close with a low shot that fizzed past the far post on 84 minutes.
But as Burgh chased a way back into the game, it left them open at the back and Pumpherston nearly made the home side pay further with Russell saving his best to last with a brilliant point blank save to deny Johnston a hat-trick.
Man of the Match: Owen McCallion. No matter where he’s asked to play, he does it with 110% effort with no nonsense or fuss. His work rate and experience belies his young age and deservedly picked up the award.
