Newburgh travelled through to Ochilview, the home of Stenhousemuir and Friday night’s opponents Stirling University. The weather conditions were horrendous with the game being played in heavy rain and had it been on a grass pitch it would have almost certainly been postponed.
Thankfully, Ochilview boasts an artificial surface and a main stand with seats and a roof so the Burgh travelling contingent made good use to stay dry and get a good view of a hard-working and impressive performance, but one that ultimately ended with a piece of very cruel luck.
Lennon created the first chance for the hosts in the 9th minute but found keeper Joe Russell more than a match for it. But Stirling Uni took the lead in the 14th minute when Doan rose the highest to head home a corner past Russell.
Newburgh were looking more confident on the ball with each week and seemed comfortable passing the ball around the pitch. A good move in the 19th minute played in Harris Mitchell who cut in from the left to whip over a cross/shot that nobody was able to quite get the final touch to score.
Mitchell Sharp continued his recent good form as he weaved his way into the Stirling box but took one defender on too many and the danger was cleared.
Another man in form was midfielder-turned-striker Ronan Hall who followed up his two goals at home to Tweedmouth by running onto to Ruairidh McPhate’s flick on to run on, hold off the defender and slot past the advancing keeper to equalise in the 27th minute.
In the 31st minute Hall nearly doubled his tally for the evening when he intercepted a defender on the right touchline and running on towards goal to whistle an effort just past the far post.
Stirling had a good chance in the 48th minute when Harney-Rogerson headed over a free kick whilst unmarked in the Burgh area, whilst skipper Andy Cameron got on the end of a corner but couldn’t keep his header down to trouble Stirling keeper Rowan in the 59th minute.
Doan brought the best out of Russell in the 61st minute with a shot that had the Burgh keeper at full stretch to tip behind for a corner. Lennon also went close in the 69th minute but Russell again was equal to it. Perris could have done better in the 72nd minute when he put wide following a brief scramble just inside the penalty area.
The possible turning point in the game came in the 84th minute when a long ball forward by Russell was flicked on by the head of Hall to set Sharp through on goal. With defender tracking back and keeper closing down the angle, the keeper was able to block the shot and recover the loose ball. It was a great chance for Burgh and one that could have won the game.
With the game seemingly settling for a well-deserved draw against 4th placed Stirling, there was still time for a cruel stroke of bad luck as Stirling sub Harty was left unmarked at the far post from a corner and was able to volley home off a defender through a crowd on bodies in the third minute of stoppage time.
It was a bitter blow for Burgh and one that was certainly not deserved. Whilst the players were understandably crest-fallen, they were applauded off by the travelling support who were highly-impressed with their hard-work and commitment and Burgh were extremely unfortunate to not get something from the game.
