Johnstone Burgh recorded a 2-0 win over St Roch’s in their second pre-season friendly after a strong performance at James McGrory Park in Glasgow.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made five changes to the side that lost 4-1 to Annan Athletic on Tuesday evening. Kian Gilday, Calvin McGrory, Ian McShane, Max Kerr and Aaron Mason dropped out, while new signing Scott Williamson, Aiden O’Neill, Scott Forrester, Nicholas Gallagher and Broque Watson came into the starting XI.
Burgh created the first chance of the match in the 4th minute when Leon Murphy ran on to Kristopher Kerr’s headed flick-on, but his right-foot shot from 14 yards was well saved by St Roch’s goalkeeper John Stark.
The visitors threatened again in the 11th minute when Kristopher Kerr laid the ball off to Murphy, whose powerful left-foot effort from 18 yards was brilliantly saved by Stark.
Johnstone Burgh were well on top by this point and came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute. Stuart Faulds played a superb long-range pass to Murphy, who controlled the ball brilliantly before running into the box, but his left-foot shot from eight yards went just wide of the right-hand post.
St Roch’s had their first chance in the 19th minute when the ball broke to Jack McKilveen in the box, but his left-foot shot from 10 yards was deflected on to the left-hand post. It was a big let-off for Burgh.
In the 23rd minute, the referee stopped play for a hydration break as the warm conditions made themselves felt at James McGrory Park.
Burgh’s next opportunity came in the 29th minute when Kristopher Kerr had a sight of goal from Nicholas Gallagher’s lay-off, but the new signing from Hurlford United fired his left-foot shot from 20 yards over the crossbar.
In the 35th minute, new signing Thomas Orr came off the bench to make his debut after replacing the injured Leon Murphy.
Burgh almost broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Broque Watson laid the ball off to Malky McDonald, but his powerful right-foot shot from 16 yards, which took a deflection, was brilliantly kept out by Stark.
The visitors continued to press before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Orr’s pass sent Kristopher Kerr through on goal, but his right-foot effort was comfortably saved by Stark.
In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, it looked as though Burgh would finally take the lead. Stuart Faulds produced a superb defence-splitting pass to Kristopher Kerr, who rounded Stark, but from a tight angle his left-foot shot from eight yards went just wide of the right-hand post. It was another big let-off for “The Candy”.
In the final action of the first half, St Roch’s won a free-kick around 20 yards from goal on the right-hand side. Jamie Adam attempted a right-footed cross-come-shot, which was well saved by Burgh goalkeeper Brett Long.
The teams went into the break level.
Just 20 seconds into the second half, St Roch’s had a great chance to take the lead. Lennon Pirrie’s sublime pass sent Kris Amponsah through on goal, but his shot from 18 yards was superbly saved by Long, who got the slightest touch to divert the ball just wide of the right-hand post.
The second half became scrappy as the wind and rain made conditions difficult. Burgh created their first chance of the half in the 65th minute when Broque Watson’s corner from the left found Mark Durnan, but his header from six yards went wide of the right-hand post.
Three minutes later, St Roch’s had arguably the best chance of the match. A ball across the face of goal left Kane with an empty net from a yard out, but somehow his effort crashed against the crossbar. It was a chance that looked easier to score than miss.
The home side threatened again in the 75th minute when Pirrie created space for himself, but his right-foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Long.
A minute later, Burgh responded as Watson turned well before firing a right-foot shot from 16 yards that was deflected behind for a corner.
The breakthrough finally came in the 79th minute. Del Esplin produced an excellent defence-splitting pass to Thomas Orr, and the former Cumnock Juniors striker made no mistake, firing a clinical left-foot shot from 10 yards into the bottom left-hand corner to score on his debut.
St Roch’s had an immediate chance to equalise in the 80th minute, but Pirrie’s right-foot shot from 16 yards drifted just over the crossbar.
Burgh sealed the victory in the 85th minute when Kristopher Kerr’s fine pass found Orr, who once again showed his quality by driving a right-foot shot from 10 yards past Kieran Hughes and into the bottom left-hand corner.
Burgh comfortably saw out the final five minutes to secure a deserved 2-0 victory.
Burgh’s next pre-season friendly is against Elgin City at Keanie Park on Saturday, 4th July. Kick-off is at 2pm.