Newburgh travelled over the River Forth to face league leaders Stoneyburn Juniors on Saturday in a first v second tie. Stoneyburn have managed to remain un-defeated so far this season so this was going to be a difficult trip for the ‘Burgh Newburgh started the game well with some neat passing and movement causing Stoneyburn problems in the opening exchanges. Jamie Gay and Jack Hutchison were working well together in the middle of the park moving the ball through the home defence for the lively Harry Galloway. Newburgh opened the scoring in the tenth minute the product of some excellent play by Jack Cowan. A crossed ball into the box was neatly flicked on by Sam Kirkham finding Cowan inside the penalty area. The ‘Burgh livewire beat three defenders to give himself space to slot the ball into the corner establishing an early lead for Newburgh. Newburgh were well worth their lead at this point and could have extended the advantage creating several chances shortly after the re-start. The home side pulled their socks up and fought their way back into the game with Gowans causing the Newburgh defence problems with his movement and pace on the left-hand side. The equaliser came in the 27^th minute with Robertson pouncing on a loose pass across the defence. The Stoneyburn top goal scorer curled an inch perfect shot beyond Calum Sutherland to restore parity to the score line. A crazy 2-minute spell just after the half hour shaped the remainder of the game. In the 32ns minute Stoneyburn were awarded a penalty when Gordon Clark tackled a Stoneyburn forward in the box. The ‘Burgh defender insisted to the referee that he played the ball first but the official had made his mind up and the spot kick was converted by Gowans to give the home side the lead. Within a minute of the re-start Newburgh were reduced to ten men with Thomson send for an early shower after a poorly timed tackle cost him his second yellow card of the game. Newburgh continued to play well but with ten men the game was always going to be an uphill struggle. The second half continued in a similar vein as the first had ended. Stoneyburn held on to the ball well and with Newburgh chasing the game chances were few and far between, Stoneyburn added a third goal to give them a 2-goal cushion in the 68^th minute with a perfect strike by Craig from 10 yards out beating Sutherland. Newburgh crafted several chances in the remainder of the game the with Scarborough, Ananndale and Kirkham all coming close to reducing the deficit. As the game drew to a close Stoneyburn stamped their authority on proceeding and as Newburgh’s ten me tired they found it more and more difficult to create chances. A Stoneyburn header that hit the ‘Burgh post in the closing minutes was as close as either side came to increasing their goal tally. Manager Hudson spoke after the game “What was going to be a difficult task was not helped with the sending off. Stoneyburn are not top of the league by accident. We played well in phases and I am proud of the way we continued to play our game even being a man down”. Newburgh are without a fixture this coming weekend with their next fixture on the 30^th of November away to Kirkcaldy & Dysart FC.