Linlithgow Rose CFC 1 Newburgh 4

Newburgh returned to league duties on Saturday with a visit to Linlithgow Rose CFC. Linlithgow joined the Junior association this year and have made a good start to their life in the East region having progressed to the 3^rd round of the Scottish cup and only having lost once in the league so far.

Linlithgow started well and were to create the first chance of the game in the 3^rd minute. Good work in midfield carved an opening for a snap shot that hit the side netting.

Newburgh were to open the scoring on the 8^thminute. Scott Sutherland benefitted from some excellent build up play down the right with Kyle Fraser and Fraser Robinson combining to create space for a cross that Sutherland turned under the goalkeeper to give Newburgh an early lead.

Linlithgow managed to restore parity soon after from the penalty spot. A lunging tackle on the edge of the 18-yard box was penalised by the referee who awarded the spot kick to the home sided. MacLean made no mistake from the spot sending Calum Sutherland the wrong way.

The remainder of the first half passed without any real clear-cut chances for either side with most of the play taking place in the midfield areas.

The second half was only a few minutes old when Newburgh once again took the lead. A corner from the left was swung over by Jamie Gay. Gordon Clark rose at the back post to win the header back into the danger area where Jack Hutchison controlled the ball and smashed it high onto the net giving the home keeper no chance of making a stop.

Linlithgow took the game to Newburgh to seek an equaliser. A series of corners and free kicks were conceded by Newburgh as they defended en-masse to keep the home side at bay. Newburgh crafted third goal on the break in the 57^th minute to kill off any hopes of a Linlithgow revival. Sam Kirkham defended a high ball into the box finding Ryan Smart in midfield with his header. Fraser Robinson and Aidan Edwards broke quickly splitting the home defence leaving space for Scott Sutherland to pick up an inch perfect Jamie Gay pass and slot the ball into the corner of the net.

Linlithgow’s cause was made all the more difficult shortly before the hour when they were reduced to 10 men following a straight red card for dissent.

Callum Galloway making his ‘Burgh debut replaced Kyle Fraser, who had taken a knock, just after the hour played.

Ben Scarborough and Aidan Edwards were causing the home side problems on the left-hand side with their pace and direct running and with the introduction of Harry Galloway for Scott Sutherland the home defence were really having to be on their toes to deal with the attacking threat that Newburgh possessed.

A fourth goal came in the 75th from the penalty spot with Aidan Edwards converting the spot kick to earn himself a well-deserved entry on the score sheet.

Newburgh ended the game on the front foot and were well worth their win.

Manager Hudson was delighted with the way his side had played, “It is great to earn the 3 points and to win here against a side who have started their Junior life in a very positive manner, but what impressed me more than anything was the way we kept a hold of the ball moving it around the park probing for opening. We were patient and did not try to rush things. The work that we are putting in on the training park is really starting to shine through on game days”.