Newburgh opened up the league campaign for season 2019-20 with a victory at East Shore Park on Saturday against one of the four new teams to join the league this season, Syngenta Juveniles.

Newburgh’s starting line-up featured several new faces, Fraser Crossley, Gordon McKinnon and Scot Harvey all joined the ‘Burgh in the close season.  Aidan Edwards and Ben Scarborough both joined on permanent deals graduation from the Abernethy U19 side that was hosted at East Shore Park last season.

Newburgh started quickly and were soon ahead. With barely a minute played a clearance by goalkeeper Sutherland caught the Syngenta defence out.  Craig Robinson’s pace allowed him to get through one on one with the goalie.  The ball bounced in the 18 yard box and as the goalkeeper tried to punch the ball.  Unfortunately for Syngenta he only managed to take Robinson out in the process.  The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.  Jamie Gay stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner to give Newburgh the perfect start to the season.

Newburgh doubled this lead on the forth minute.  Aidan Edwards picked the ball off the toe of a Syngenta forward midway into the Newburgh half.  Edwards drove forward at pace passing the ball to Gay who timed a pass to the wide left perfectly.  Edwards, who had continued his run forwards, picked the ball up inside the box and flicked his shot over the keeper into the net.

The visitors fought their way back into the game grabbing the vital third goal of the game on the 28^th minute.  A sweeping move through midfield allowed the wide midfielder to get an inch perfect cross over the danger area between the penalty spot and the six yard box.  The ball was volleyed into the net giving Sutherland no chance of making a save.

Syngenta looked the likelier to score the next goal over the remaining minutes and but for some excellent work by the ‘Burgh defence and the midfield pair of Hutchison and McKinnon they may well have grabbed an equaliser.

As the first half drew to a close Gay picked up a painful injury in a 50-50 challenge in midfield. The ‘Burgh attacker returned to the field to see out the remaining minutes of the half in visible pain. He was not to return after the break with Scott Sutherland coming off the bench.

Sutherland’s introduction introduced a new dynamic to the ‘Burgh attack with his pace offering a new option. Within two minutes of the re-start Clark played an inch perfect ball over the Syngenta defence that Sutherland latched on to.  The ‘Burgh striker snatched at his shot hitting the side netting.

Newburgh extended their lead on the 55^th minute after some excellent play down the left by Ben Scarborough. The wide man beat his man to whip a cross into Craig Robinson who beat two defenders to the ball and turned it under the keeper and in off the post.

The third goal was decisive with Newburgh now comfortably two goals ahead they relaxed and started to managed the game well as Syngenta pushed forward trying to grab a goal. Crossley, Johal and Clark coped well with the attacks and in playing through midfield Newburgh looked likely to add to their tally.

Scot Harvey made his debut replacing Gordon McKinnon adding some fresh legs to the middle of the park.

Kyle Meaney replaced the tireless Edwards with ten minutes remaining with Newburgh moving to a back four for the remainder of the game.

Scott Sutherland who had been testing the visitors defence since half time was finally rewarded with a deserved goal in the 84^th minute. Jack Hutchison won the ball back in midfield with a crunching tackle.  The ball broke to Kyle Fraser who swept a pass out wide to Craig Robinson. The ball was crossed to Sutherland who took his defensive marker out with a superb first touch allowing him to put the ball under the goalkeeper to give Newburgh a convincing victory.

‘Burgh manager Scott Hudson was delighted to have started the campaign with a win, “pre-season has been about getting everyone ready for today, we have worked hard on aspects of the game that shone through today. I have been stressing that we must manage the game better particularly after we score as we have been guilty of conceding goals shortly after we had scored. I was delighted that this was not the case today we managed the Syngenta reaction well”.

On the new squad members, “With the exception of Scot Harvey who joined us last week the additions to the squad have been with us all of pre-season. They have gelled well with the rest of the squad and have added competition for places in the starting 11. They all know they will have to train hard and play well to be picked in the starting 11 every week which is great as we need competition for places to keep everyone at the top of their game.

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