Johnstone Burgh earn hard-fought point against Celtic B

Johnstone Burgh and Celtic B played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in this afternoon’s Lowland League West match at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, Airdrie.

Burgh manager Stevie Farrell made four changes from the starting XI that defeated Troon 2-0 at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Out went Lewis King, Stuart Faulds, Malky McDonald and Thomas Orr, with Scott Williamson, Calvin McGrory, Broque Watson and Kyle Lafferty coming into the side.

Celtic B made a flying start, taking the lead in the 2nd minute. Rhys Dargie played a quick pass to Francis Turley on the right-hand side of the box and he made no mistake, firing a right-foot shot into the bottom left-hand corner from 12 yards.

The home side remained on top and created another good chance in the 22nd minute. Michael Charlton picked the ball up on the halfway line before driving towards goal, but his right-foot effort from 25 yards drifted just wide of the left-hand post.

Celtic B continued to threaten and went close again in the 30th minute. Conor Daly worked an opening on the right-hand side of the box, but his right-foot shot from 10 yards cleared the crossbar.

The young Celtic side came close again in the 35th minute. Emmanuel Obidiwe showed good skill just outside the penalty area to create space for himself, but his deflected right-foot effort from 18 yards was saved by Johnstone Burgh goalkeeper Brett Long.

Burgh had offered little going forward during the opening stages, but they levelled in the 36th minute. Kris Kerr passed the ball to Stuart Faulds just inside the box and the former Largs Thistle captain produced a superb curling left-foot finish into the top left-hand corner from 17 yards.

Celtic B had the final chance of the half in the second minute of added time from a direct free-kick 22 yards from goal. Rhys Dargie’s low left-foot effort was well saved by Long.

Johnstone Burgh had the first chance after the restart from a free-kick 22 yards out in the 51st minute. Kyle Lafferty’s initial effort was blocked by the Celtic wall and, when the ball broke back to him, his first-time shot drifted wide of the right-hand post.

Celtic B responded in the 52nd minute when the lively Obidiwe saw an 18-yard effort deflected wide. Four minutes later, Conor Daly’s pass found Obidiwe in space, but his left-foot shot from 12 yards was well saved by Long.

On the hour mark, Burgh had a great chance to take the lead. Stuart Faulds burst down the right and delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal to Kyle Lafferty, but the former Rangers striker’s right-foot effort from six yards was brilliantly saved by Celtic goalkeeper Corey Shaw.

Burgh continued to enjoy the better of the second half and created another opening in the 66th minute. Aaron Mason drove in from the left wing before seeing his right-foot shot from 16 yards well saved by Shaw.

Celtic B remained a threat and almost restored their lead in the 73rd minute. Conor Daly found himself six yards from goal, but his right-foot effort was brilliantly kept out by Long. Four minutes later, Daly tested the Burgh goalkeeper again with a left-foot shot from 16 yards, but Long was equal to it once more.

In the 79th minute, Johnstone Burgh were reduced to 10 men when Aaron Mason received a second yellow card for dissent following a routine foul.

The final clear-cut chance came in the 82nd minute when Celtic captain Liam Kennedy’s right-foot shot from 20 yards was saved by Long. Celtic B dominated the closing stages, pinning Burgh back during the remaining eight minutes of normal time and six minutes of added time, but the visitors showed grit and determination to hold on for a deserved point.

The result leaves Johnstone Burgh in eighth place in the table with four points from their opening two matches.

Johnstone Burgh’s next match is against Albion Rovers at Keanie Park in the Lowland League West on Saturday, 8th August, with kick-off at 3pm.

Scorers:
Celtic B: Turley (2)
Johnstone Burgh: Faulds (36)

Johnstone Burgh Man of the Match: Stuart Faulds

Johnstone Burgh: Long; Williamson (Faulds 30), Gilday, Barrowman, Durnan (C), McGrory, K. Kerr (Esplin 69), Watson, Lafferty (Orr 69), McShane (Forrester 88), Mason.
Unused substitutes: Hargreaves (GK), M. Kerr, Murphy.

Celtic B: Shaw; Dembele (Keenan 69), Haney, Charlton (English 37), Sedwell, Kennedy (C), Dargie, Turley, Clearie, Daly (Watt 84), Obidiwe (Meechan 69).
Unused substitutes: Lyall (GK), Anderson, Forrester.

Referee: Thomas Denholm
Assistant referees: Thomas Sutherland, Jon-Paul McGovern