Johnstone Burgh recorded their second win in the space of four days after a comfortable 3-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table side St Cadoc’s at New Tinto Park in Govan.
Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made one change from the starting XI that beat Hurlford United 3-1 at Keanie Park on Wednesday night, with Ian McShane replacing Stuart Faulds.
The Johnstone side had the first chance of the afternoon after seven minutes. Darren Christie put a fine cross into the box from the right-hand side, but Aidan Gilmartin headed the ball well wide of the right-hand post from around six yards.
The Burgh had the vast majority of the ball and had a good chance to take the lead just before the 20-minute mark. Lewis King whipped in a brilliant cross from the right wing into the danger area, but Aaron Mason could only head the ball over the crossbar from six yards.
Johnstone Burgh’s pressure would finally pay off in the 22nd minute as they took the lead after a brilliant goal from Broque Watson. Kian Gilday fed the ball to former Tranent man Watson down the left wing around 18 yards inside the St Cadoc’s half. He then went on a superb solo run before firing a beautiful right-foot shot into the top left-hand corner of the net from around 14 yards, leaving St Cadoc’s goalkeeper Josh Quigley with no chance.
Aidan Gilmartin had the next chance for the Burgh in the 32nd minute. The powerful striker ran on to a pass from Aaron Mason, but his shot from around 12 yards, from a fairly tight angle, went over the crossbar.
Gilmartin was not to be denied, though, and would get a deserved goal after 36 minutes. Aaron Mason put in a dangerous ball from a corner kick on the left to the back post, which Lewis King headed back across goal straight to the former St Mirren man, who headed the ball into the net from a yard out to give the Burgh a deserved 2-0 lead.
In a first half totally dominated by Johnstone Burgh, St Cadoc’s had their first attack of note and came close to pulling a goal back after 41 minutes. Daniel Matheson made a brilliant run down the right wing before squaring the ball to Leo Adam, who saw his right-foot shot from around 10 yards well blocked by Danny O’Neill.
Johnstone Burgh went into the half-time break 2-0 ahead.
Half time: 0-2
The first chance of the second half came for the away side in the 50th minute. Ian McShane had a chance to score from a direct free kick from 25 yards, but his well-struck shot was well saved by Quigley.
The Burgh were in cruise control, and it would be Aaron Mason who had the next chance halfway through the second half, but his shot from 20 yards was well blocked by the St Cadoc’s defence.
With 15 minutes remaining, Danny O’Neill scored goal number three for the Burgh. Aaron Mason’s dangerous corner from the left found the head of Aidan Gilmartin, but his effort from around three yards came back off the crossbar. Thankfully, O’Neill was on hand to finish the rebound brilliantly with his right foot into the top left-hand corner of the net from eight yards.
Aaron Mason showed some brilliant pace and skill on the left-hand side of the box, but his cross-come-shot from about 12 yards was scrambled away by Quigley for a corner kick, with just over 10 minutes left to play.
After yet another dangerous delivery from Aaron Mason, Scott Forrester had his towering header from six yards cleared off the line. The rebound then fell to Danny O’Neill, who saw his low goalbound shot diverted wide by Broque Watson with 81 minutes on the clock.
St Cadoc’s scored a consolation goal with four minutes of normal time remaining. Daniel Matheson had a sight of goal from 20 yards and produced a lovely low right-foot shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net past Luke Scullion, who barely had a save to make all afternoon.
Johnstone Burgh saw out the final few minutes of the match to secure a 3-1 win and three points.
After today’s win in Govan, the Burgh remain in 9th place in the table with 30 points from 17 games.
Next up for the Burgh is Dundee North End in the Scottish Communities Cup quarter-final at Keanie Park on Saturday 21st March. Kick-off is at 1:30pm.
WoSFL Premier Division – Saturday 14th March 2026 results, upcoming fixtures and table
Results – Saturday 14th March 2026
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Arthurlie | 3-2 | Renfrew |
| Auchinleck Talbot | 2-0 | Rutherglen Glencairn |
| Glenafton Athletic | 1-2 | Troon |
| Hurlford United | 1-2 | Cumnock Juniors |
| Pollok | 2-0 | Kilwinning Rangers |
| Shotts Bon Accord | 1-2 | Drumchapel United |
| St Cadoc’s | 1-3 | Johnstone Burgh |
Upcoming fixtures
| Home | v | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beith Juniors | vs | Shotts Bon Accord | Bellsdale Park |
| Cumnock Juniors | vs | Pollok | Townhead Park |
| Drumchapel United | vs | Hurlford United | Donald Dewar Centre |
| Kilwinning Rangers | vs | Arthurlie | Buffs Park |
| Renfrew | vs | Largs Thistle | New Western Park |
| Rutherglen Glencairn | vs | Glenafton Athletic | Hamish B Allan Stadium |
Premier Division table
Table correct as at 15th March 2026
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troon | 20 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 40 | 24 | 16 | 43 |
| 2 | Cumnock Juniors | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 42 |
| 3 | Auchinleck Talbot | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 58 | 21 | 37 | 40 |
| 4 | Pollok | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 38 | 25 | 13 | 38 |
| 5 | Hurlford United | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 33 |
| 6 | Largs Thistle | 20 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 40 | 30 | 10 | 32 |
| 7 | Arthurlie | 22 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 54 | 49 | 5 | 32 |
| 8 | Drumchapel United | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 32 |
| 9 | Johnstone Burgh | 17 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 32 | 26 | 6 | 30 |
| 10 | Renfrew | 20 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 34 | 38 | -4 | 24 |
| 11 | Glenafton Athletic | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 26 | 44 | -18 | 24 |
| 12 | Kilwinning Rangers | 20 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 36 | 40 | -4 | 23 |
| 13 | Beith Juniors | 21 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 26 | 37 | -11 | 23 |
| 14 | Shotts Bon Accord | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 32 | 33 | -1 | 20 |
| 15 | Rutherglen Glencairn | 19 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 22 | 39 | -17 | 16 |
| 16 | St Cadoc’s | 22 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 19 | 68 | -49 | 8 |