Johnstone Burgh returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 win over Rutherglen Glencairn on a windy afternoon at the Hamish B. Allan Stadium in Rutherglen.
Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made four changes from the starting XI that lost 3-0 to Cumnock Juniors on Wednesday night. Out went Matty Grant, Kian Gilday, Blair Rossiter and Kyle Lafferty, and in came Lewis King and Aiden Gilmartin, as well as U20 development players Ross MacKinnon and Nicholas Gallagher, who were both making their first starts for the senior team.
They were joined by fellow U20s Niall Graham and Jude Cummins, who got some much deserved game time for the senior team.
Rutherglen Glencairn made a bright start and had the first chance of the game in the 3rd minute. Ryan Carlin collected the ball and created himself a good opening from 20 yards, but his left foot shot went well wide of the left-hand post.
The home side threatened again in the 8th minute as Harry Mitchell had a sight of goal from 10 yards on the right-hand side of the box, but his low right foot effort was well blocked by Malky McDonald.
The Burgh opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Ian McShane floated a dangerous corner kick into the box, and Scott Forrester was on hand to head the ball into the net from 6 yards.
Johnstone Burgh came close to doubling their lead in the 14th minute when Ross MacKinnon put a beautiful left foot cross into the box. However, Aiden Gilmartin’s powerful header from 6 yards was brilliantly saved by Jamie Smith.
Rutherglen Glencairn had the next chance to score in the 26th minute. Ryan McManus produced a lovely bit of skill to create himself an excellent chance, but his powerful left foot shot from 12 yards was well saved by Luke Scullion.
The Burgh had a great chance to score a minute later as Aiden Gilmartin showed good strength and composure in the box to lay the ball off to Ian McShane, but the former East Kilbride man’s right foot shot from 18 yards flew well over the crossbar.
Rutherglen Glencairn’s best chance of the match came in the 34th minute. Aidan Shields ran with the ball on the right wing and produced a fantastic long-range pass to find Ryan McManus in the box, but with just Luke Scullion to beat from 8 yards, “The Glens” striker lobbed the ball over the Burgh number one but could only find the top of the crossbar.
The Keanie Park side eventually doubled their lead in the 41st minute. Ian McShane delivered another dangerous corner kick into the box, and Lewis King was in the right place at the right time to head the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net from 7 yards.
The Burgh went into the half-time break 2-0 up.
“The Glens” made the perfect start to the second half and pulled a goal back in the 46th minute. Ross Paton put through a killer pass to Ryan McManus, who produced a fine, low, right foot finish into the net from 16 yards.
The Burgh looked to restore their two-goal cushion and came close in the 51st minute. Lewis King put a brilliant cross into the box to find Broque Watson, but his right foot shot from 12 yards was well blocked.
Photo: Aiden Gilmartin in action for Johnstone Burgh during their 3–1 win over Rutherglen Glencairn
Photo Credit: Graham Morgan / Johnstone Burgh
Johnstone Burgh came even closer to adding to their lead in the 57th minute. Ian McShane once again put a fine corner into the box, but Nicholas Gallagher’s header from 6 yards went just over the crossbar.
The Johnstone side eventually got their third goal of the match in the 65th minute. Darren Christie showed some nice footwork on the right wing before putting a dangerous cross into the box, which found Broque Watson, who then headed the ball high into the net from 6 yards.
In the 73rd minute, Lewis King had a half chance, but his right foot attempt from 14 yards went just over the crossbar.
In the 78th minute, Johnstone Burgh U20 player Niall Graham, who had just come on as a substitute, had a sight of goal, but his right foot shot from 18 yards went over the crossbar.
Rutherglen had a good chance to score in the 82nd minute when Daniel Connor produced a touch of class to set up Boris Melingui, but his powerful left foot shot from 10 yards was brilliantly saved by Luke Scullion.
The home side had another good chance to score their second goal, but Ben Hobbs headed the ball just wide of the left-hand post from 8 yards.
The final chance of the match came for Johnstone Burgh in the 2nd minute of injury time. Lewis King’s headed flick-on found Niall Graham, but his close-range header was well saved by Jamie Smith.
The Burgh saw out the final minute of the game to secure a fine 3-1 win.
After today’s result, Johnstone Burgh remain in 6th place on 40 points, with 22 matches played.
Next up for the Burgh is Renfrew FC in the WoSFL Premier Division at Keanie Park on Wednesday 15th April. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.
Full time: Rutherglen Glencairn 3-1 Johnstone Burgh
West of Scotland Football League Premier Division results
Saturday 11th April 2026
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Arthurlie | 2-1 | Shotts Bon Accord |
| Beith Juniors | 2-4 | Cumnock Juniors |
| Glenafton Athletic | 1-3 | Renfrew |
| Kilwinning Rangers | 3-2 | Hurlford United |
| Rutherglen Glencairn | 1-3 | Johnstone Burgh |
| St Cadoc’s | 2-2 | Drumchapel United |
| Troon | 1-0 | Pollok |
West of Scotland Football League Premier Division fixtures
Wednesday 15th April 2026
| Time | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Auchinleck Talbot | Kilwinning Rangers | Beechwood Park |
| 7:30pm | Beith Juniors | Largs Thistle | Bellsdale Park |
| 7:30pm | Johnstone Burgh | Renfrew | Keanie Park |
Saturday 18th April 2026
| Time | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00pm | Cumnock Juniors | Auchinleck Talbot | Townhead Park |
| 2:00pm | Drumchapel United | Beith Juniors | Donald Dewar Centre |
| 2:00pm | Hurlford United | Arthurlie | Blair Park |
| 2:00pm | Johnstone Burgh | Shotts Bon Accord | Keanie Park |
| 2:00pm | Kilwinning Rangers | Glenafton Athletic | Buffs Park |
| 2:00pm | Largs Thistle | Troon | Barrfields Stadium |
| 2:00pm | Renfrew | Rutherglen Glencairn | New Western Park |
West of Scotland Football League Premier Division table
Correct as at 12th April 2026
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troon | 24 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 53 | 27 | 26 | 55 |
| 2 | Cumnock Juniors | 24 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 45 | 21 | 24 | 54 |
| 3 | Auchinleck Talbot | 20 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 64 | 22 | 42 | 46 |
| 4 | Largs Thistle | 25 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 41 |
| 5 | Pollok | 25 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 41 |
| 6 | Johnstone Burgh | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 41 | 33 | 8 | 40 |
| 7 | Arthurlie | 25 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 65 | 53 | 12 | 39 |
| 8 | Hurlford United | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 36 |
| 9 | Drumchapel United | 25 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 46 | 55 | -9 | 33 |
| 10 | Kilwinning Rangers | 24 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 46 | 47 | -1 | 30 |
| 11 | Renfrew | 23 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 40 | 41 | -1 | 30 |
| 12 | Glenafton Athletic | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 32 | 52 | -20 | 29 |
| 13 | Beith Juniors | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 31 | 45 | -14 | 27 |
| 14 | Shotts Bon Accord | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 42 | -3 | 24 |
| 15 | Rutherglen Glencairn | 24 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 27 | 53 | -26 | 20 |
| 16 | St Cadoc’s | 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 22 | 77 | -55 | 9 |