Hurrah! That day has come where I don’t need to soften the blow over a harsh defeat for a match report and instead of can be completely truthful and say Newburgh Juniors Football Club got the result their performances and hard work have threatened for a number of weeks.
They had to go about it the hard way, of course, when the home side took an early lead when Frankland fired a shot across goal into the far corner which Mark Robertson could only get a hand to but not keep out.
Stirling continued to apply the early pressure a number of chances in the opening half an hour with a collection of saves or shots wide prevent the hosts extending their lead, whilst Michael Perrie turned well but his effort went just wide of the far post. Sam Kirkham also went close with a header from a Lewis Stevenson free kick which was saved by the Stirling keeper.
But this time it was Burgh who came out of the second half blocks quickest and it took Stevenson three minutes to net the equaliser in cracking fashion. Lewis Caulfield on the left hand touch line laid it off to Stevenson who cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot from distance that seemed to swerve in the air and deceive the keeper and he could only watch as it rebounded off his body and into the roof of his net.
It was a great strike from the Burgh number 11 to go along with his two assists at Hawick last week (which he’s hammered me about not mentioning even though I wasn’t at that game!!! Ha ha…) and his team mates were equally impressed as they celebrated.
The tide was turning in Burgh’s favour now. The defence were rock solid, the midfield were battling 110% and the front line were putting in a great shift. Perrie against went close in the 55th minute with a turn and shot but the keeper got his body behind to hold on this time.
But the Burgh perseverance was rewarded in the 57th minute when a free kick/assist (OK now, Lewis?) found it’s way deep into the confusion of the Stirling six-yard box. With defence and keeper all at sea, it was a race between Kirkham and Caulfield to tap home. It was Big Sam that drew the plaudits (despite Cau’s subsequent protestations!) as he knocked home to put the Burgh 2-1 ahead.
It was largely all Burgh now and Rory Marshall had a header cleared off the line, whilst Rory Ferguson also went close after good play and a lay off from Perrie.
The team stayed resolute for the remaining minutes and put in a mature and hard-working performance to seal the club’s first win since beating Heriot-Watt in December.
If you’re swithering over coming to Burgh games or an outsider looking in, this is a result that is proof that the team are working exceptionally hard and heading in the right direction. From my time at the club, the performances are continuing to improve and there have been times when they’ve been very unlucky.
But make no mistake, Allan Moody and his coaching team along with the players are working so hard and, believe me, things are very encouraging. They all deserve a massive pat on the back for this performance and result. There’s still a lot more work to do, but the signs are extremely promising and they all deserve a beer tonight and to enjoy this result. WELL DONE GUYS!
