Johnstone Burgh stormed to an impressive 6-2 win over Darvel in their fifth and final pre-season friendly before the start of the Lowland League West season at a warm and sunny Recreation Park, Darvel.
Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made five changes to the starting XI that played in the 4-0 win against Ardrossan Winton Rovers last Tuesday evening. Out went Luke Scullion, Scott Williamson, Calvin McGrory, Malky McDonald and Max Kerr, and in came Brett Long, Lewis King, Stuart Faulds, Broque Watson and Kyle Lafferty.
The Keanie Park side came flying out of the traps and scored the opening goal of the match after just 12 seconds. Broque Watson pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the park before finding Kyle Lafferty, who then played a brilliant pass to Aaron Mason. Mason then saw his right-foot shot from 12 yards saved by Callum Smith, but Kristopher Kerr was on hand to tap the ball into the net from close range.
The Burgh looked in the mood for another goal and had two chances just seconds apart in the fifth minute. Mark Durnan played a superb long ball through to Kyle Lafferty, who produced a brilliant first touch before firing a right-foot shot from 12 yards that was well saved by Smith. Lafferty showed determination to get to the rebound first, but his right-foot shot from a tight angle was again well saved by Darvel goalkeeper Callum Smith.
Darvel, who had made a quiet start to the match, equalised against the run of play in the 21st minute. From a long throw into the box, the ball found Alex Nimmo, who showed lovely skill before firing a right-foot shot from 16 yards, via a slight deflection, into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Johnstone Burgh had a chance to go back in front in the 34th minute. Kyle Lafferty stepped up to take a direct free-kick from 20 yards, but his right-foot shot was saved by Smith.
The Burgh finally regained the lead in the 36th minute. Kyle Lafferty headed the ball to Kristopher Kerr down the right-hand side and the former Hurlford United man went on a fine solo run, gliding past three Darvel players before firing a fine left-foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from 12 yards.
The away side almost made it goal number three in the 38th minute as Aaron Mason produced a lovely first touch before firing a powerful right-foot shot from 20 yards, which was brilliantly saved by Callum Smith.
The final chance of the first half fell to Darvel in the 43rd minute, but Tom Sneddon’s right-foot shot on the bounce from 22 yards went well over the crossbar.
The home side started the second half well and had the chance to equalise in the 47th minute, but Jamie Taggart’s right-foot shot from 22 yards was saved by Brett Long.
Darvel levelled the match in the 48th minute after Lewis King’s poor pass back was pounced on by Alex Nimmo, who made no mistake as his right-foot shot from 16 yards found the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Johnstone Burgh once again regained the lead in the 51st minute. A long ball from Mark Durnan caused havoc in the centre of the Darvel defence, but Kyle Lafferty was on hand to take advantage as he struck a superb right-foot shot from 22 yards into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
The Burgh scored their fourth goal of the evening in the 55th minute when Darvel defender Dominic Chiedu took too long on the ball just outside the box and was robbed by Kyle Lafferty, who then ran into the box, took the ball past Darvel goalkeeper Callum Smith and produced a clinical right-foot finish from a tight angle, from around 12 yards, into the back of the net.
The away side came close to scoring their fifth goal of the match in the 73rd minute as Broque Watson’s corner from the left found Mark Durnan, but his header from four yards went just over the crossbar.
The Burgh made it goal number five in the 82nd minute as Max Kerr showed pace and power on the right wing before running into the box and unleashing a powerful left-foot shot from 17 yards that flew high into the net.
The next chance for the Johnstone side came in the 86th minute. Mark Barrowman ran into the box and played a fine pass across the face of goal, which found Thomas Orr, but his close-range effort was saved by Smith. A minute later, Malky McDonald pounced on a loose pass from Dominic Chiedu, but his right-foot shot from 20 yards, via a deflection, was saved by Smith.
Johnstone Burgh made it goal number six with the final kick of the match in the 90th minute. Max Kerr’s left-foot shot from just outside the box was deflected into the path of Noah Grady, and he made no mistake as he dinked the ball over Smith with his left foot from 10 yards into the back of the net.
Full time: 2-6
Darvel FC goals: Nimmo 21, 48
Johnstone Burgh FC goals: K. Kerr 1, 36; Lafferty 51, 55; M. Kerr 82; Grady 90
Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Troon FC at Keanie Park in their first match of the Lowland League West season on Wednesday 29th July. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Burgh do not play on Saturday. Having also been promoted to the Scottish Lowland League West this season, they have the first scheduled bye of the campaign. The league has 17 teams, meaning one club has a free week in each round of fixtures.