Newburgh Juniors vs Thornton Hibs
1 - 1
30 August 2022 · East of Scotland<br>Third Division
Home league match played on 30 August 2022.
Kicked off at 6:30 PM
1-1
vs Thornton Hibs
Home league match
The Burgh returned to East Shore Park for a visit of fellow Fifers Thornton Hibs and showed their continuing maturity to absorb the pressure and even “embarrass” their opponents by taking the lead.
The visitors had the lion’s share of the opening 45 minutes, opportunities wise, but they could find no way past a resolute Burgh defence, led by skipper Andrew Cameron and aided by Messrs Doyle, Byrne and keeper Chalmers.
Calum Anderson had a good chance for the home side in the 26th minute after good play on the left-hand side, started by Ryan Lawson and Rory Marshall presented a shooting chance from ‘Ando’, but his shot went just wide of the far post.
The Burgh surprised their opponents in the 51st minute and it owed much to the work of Connall White wide on the right who beat his man and sent over a superb cross than was a gift for Kellar Harris who rose the highest to flick a header into the far corner of the net beyond former Burgh Calum Sutherland.
This provided a spark to the Newburgh boys who had a good spell of pressure after successfully absorbing any Thornton threat. Luis O’Rourke had an effort saved about a good cross from Lawson on the left, whilst Marshall’s effort looked destined for the top corner if not for a save from Sutherland in the 63rd minute.
The visitors got back into the game in the 68th minute when Aman Johal was fouled in the box and Drummond despatched the penalty away with power past Chalmers.
Debutant Ronan Hall was having an impressive game in the middle of the park, looking very assured and imposing. Burgh’s other new signing, Hamid Eddouss, was introduced in the 72nd minute and looked impressive with his energy and runs despite being clattered by Sutherland in the closing minutes with the keeper only getting a yellow. With Marshall having made way a few moments earlier, free kick duties fell to Dylan Paterson whose effort just cleared the crossbar.
It was a very good performance from a young Burgh side and one that showed that the team are starting to gel and develop well. With a couple of the more experienced players due back from injuries in the coming weeks, things look encouraging if they can maintain their work ethic and determination.