Johnstone Burgh exit South Challenge Cup after narrow defeat to Threave Rovers

Johnstone Burgh exited the South Challenge Cup after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Threave Rovers in Sunday’s fourth-round tie at Meadow Park, Castle Douglas.

Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made three changes from the starting XI that lost 3-1 to Clydebank at Keanie Park last Saturday (7th November). Out went Lewis King, Del Esplin and Sam Jamieson, and in came Scott Williamson, Cammy Eadie and Aaron Mason.

The home side created the first chance of the match in the 6th minute as Dylan Bruce found Ross Irving in the box with a crisp pass, but his right-foot shot from 8 yards was cleared off the line.

The Rovers had made a fast start and had another chance in the 8th minute when Lewis Todd had a clear sight of goal, but his low right-foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Brett Long.

Threave Rovers continued to probe for the opening goal and had the next chance in the 12th minute. Tommy Goss created some space for himself outside the box, but his high left-foot shot from 20 yards was once again saved by Long.

The Burgh had their first chance to score in the 19th minute as Max Kerr had plenty of space, but his left-foot shot from 25 yards was saved by Charlie Cowie.

The Castle Douglas side were next to threaten in the 21st minute as Ross Irving had a sight of goal, but his right-foot shot from 14 yards was saved by Long.

The Rovers were seeing plenty of the ball and had another chance just two minutes later. Once again, the ball fell to Ross Irving, but his left-foot shot from 16 yards went over the crossbar.

The away side were finding it difficult to create chances to score in the final third, but they had a great chance to take the lead in the 34th minute when Kristopher Kerr drove into the left-hand side of the box and put a brilliant pass across the face of goal. However, from a few yards out at the back post, Max Kerr put the ball wide of the right-hand post.

Johnstone Burgh had the final chance of the first half in the 42nd minute when Mark Barrowman picked up the ball, then hit a high left-foot shot from 45 yards that was tipped over the crossbar by Charlie Cowie.

Half-time: Threave Rovers 0-0 Johnstone Burgh

The Burgh came back and made a fast start to the second half, creating a half-chance in the 46th minute. The ball broke to Stuart Faulds just outside the box, but his right-foot shot went just wide of the left-hand post.

In the 50th minute, Max Kerr had a chance to score from a direct free kick 25 yards from goal, but his left-foot shot was easily saved by Cowie.

Johnstone Burgh had all the momentum and they had a great chance to take the lead in the 55th minute as Kristopher Kerr raced through on goal, but his left-foot shot from 12 yards was blocked by Alex Henderson.

The Keanie Park side had yet another chance to open the scoring on the hour mark as Aaron Mason found Kristopher Kerr with a crisp pass, but his low left-foot shot from 18 yards was well saved by Charlie Cowie.

The Rovers had made little impact in the second half but created the next chance in the 61st minute when Harry Officer ran towards goal, but his left-foot shot from 18 yards went well wide of the left-hand post.

The home side were starting to see more of the ball and had another good chance to open the scoring in the 69th minute when the ball broke to Tommy Goss 8 yards from goal, but his powerful left-foot shot was superbly saved by Brett Long.

Threave Rovers’ pressure paid off as they finally took the lead in the 74th minute of the match. Tommy Goss headed a Liam Nish throw-in in the direction of the in-form Harry Officer, who then ran towards goal before firing a superb right-foot shot into the top right-hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

The Burgh now had to respond and had a great chance to equalise in the 79th minute when Aaron Mason found himself with some space on the left-hand side of the box, but from 8 yards, his left-foot shot hit the side netting and the chance was gone.

Time was running out for Johnstone Burgh, and they had their final chance of the match in the 89th minute as Kristopher Kerr had a sight of goal from around 8 yards, but his left-foot shot was blocked, and it would be Threave Rovers who progressed to the next round.

Full-time: Threave Rovers 1-0 Johnstone Burgh

Johnstone Burgh return to Scottish Lowland Football League West action on Wednesday 18th November when they travel to Bellsdale Park to face Beith Juniors. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.