Newburgh Juniors 3 vs 1 Pumpherston

Newburgh returned to East Shore Park for the first of three consecutive home games following last Sunday’s win at Cowdenbeath Central by hosting fifth-placed Pumpherston.

The weather was much improved from the horrible conditions at Venters Park and it was nice to see a good turn out.

The game got off to a lively start with the first goal coming in just the 5th minute as a long ball forward by Owen McCallion sent brother Andrew racing towards the Pumpherston goal. Fortunately for Andrew, defender Nyang appeared to slip going for the ball and it fell nicely for Burgh’s top scorer to roll home his 26th goal of the campaign past the advancing keeper.

The visitors would prove to pose a stern challenge and were certainly not about to lie down and Amhanre was put through in the 7th minute but Scott Kyles was out well to block the shot.

But Pumphy got their chance moments later from a penalty kick after a foul in the box and Howe netted from the spot.

Burgh regained the lead, however, in the 19th minute when a Rhys Sneddon free kick was floated into the penalty area and the Pumpherston defender’s header just went across his own area and found Ryan Daly who made no mistake firing into the far corner.

The visitors were still looking dangerous and Amhanre sent a low shot across the face of goal in the 24th minute and Alexander tested Kyles’ gloves moments later.

On 26 minutes Burgh had a chance to extend their lead with a somewhat potentially harsh handball decision, but Andrew McCallion put the resultant penalty into the far corner beyond Thomson’s reach.

On 40 minutes Ryan Heatherill was smartly played through by Finn Bannerman, but the winger’s touch and shot was blocked by Omobude.

Burgh were indebted to Kyles at the start of the second half as he raced out to the edge of his area to block Sankhour who had latched onto a stray backpass to save well.

In the 66th minute Sankhour could have possibly given his side a lifeline as Burgh didn’t clear their lines but his shot flew just over the crossbar. Whilst on 73 minutes good and persistent work by Owen McCallion saw him receive back a shooting opportunity from the edge of the area but he couldn’t quite find the target.

On 78 minutes it was Andrew McCallion’s turn as he raced down the right-hand side, cut in and fired a low shot in the body of Thomson after a good run.

Credit to Pumpherston as they were still knocking on the door trying to get back in the game and Wilbert went close with a low shot across the face of goal that, thankfully, Cammy Taylor was able to deflect the other side of the post in the 81st minute.

On 84 minutes McCallion went seeking his third hat-trick of the campaign attempting to latch onto a sliced clearance from Nyang but McInnes managed to get in first to hack clear.

In the 86th minute following a Pumpherston corner there was a brief goalmouth scramble in front of Kyles’ goal with the ball looping all over the place before finding its way to Nyang about 7 yards from goal who’s shot somehow deflected over for a corner.

It was a testing encounter against a good and persistent Pumpherston side who continued to pose a threat throughout the game, but Kyles and the Burgh defence managed to hold firm to help claim an important three points.

Man of the Match: Scott Kyles – some important saves helped Burgh to three points.

Notable mentions: A good shift from Owen McCallion and Calum Geddes in a good all-round team performance.