It was a promotion party at Keanie Park for The Buffs, as a 3-4 victory earned them a place in next season’s Lowland League West. It was a game of two halves in Johnstone as The Buffs strolled to a 1-4 lead, before ‘The Burgh’ clawed their way back into the contest, but failed to draw level.
It was a dream start for Strain’s side, who found themselves in front less than three minutes into the game when they profited from slack Burgh play. A poor back pass from captain Del Esplin allowed Wilson to dribble into the Burgh box, before squaring to Robbie Scullion, who finished into the empty net. It was Robbie’s first goal for the club, and his second wouldn’t be too far in the future.
The Buffs could’ve doubled their lead just a few minutes later, after some more untidy build-up from The Burgh. Scullion put some great pressure on McShane in the middle of the park and managed to rob him of possession. The midfielder then moved the ball inside to Wilson, who had space to drive into and did so prior to hitting a shot from distance. Wilson had plenty of time to get his effort away, but couldn’t quite seem to get the ball out from under his feet, pulling his shot wide of the left post.
After a lacklustre start from the hosts, they were able to equalise with just 10 minutes on the clock from a fairly simple set-piece. McShane’s quality right foot placed a perfect cross on the head of centre-back Lewis King at the front post, who glanced the ball into the left side of the net. The Buffs will be disappointed with their defensive efforts here, as King was totally unchallenged when attacking the cross.
The equaliser didn’t discourage The Buffs, however, as they instantly retook the lead. This time, it was a poor clearance by Luke Scullion in the Burgh goal that set the Buffs off, as Weir picked up possession and headed inside to McLaughlin. Conor’s attempted flick over the top was intercepted, although the loose ball was once again picked up by Weir on the right wing. The winger swung a cross into the box, which found Robbie Scullion, where he curled a great volley inside the far post to net his second of the game.
The Buffs added a third and took full control of the match just before the 25-minute mark. As he has done many times since joining on loan a few months ago, Lockhart whipped a great free-kick into the box, finding Lawrence Hendry. Hendry had to stoop slightly, but was still able to direct his header low and past the goalkeeper from around the penalty spot.
Aaron Mason came close to getting The Burgh back in the game, just before the halftime break, as he beat several Buffs men before smashing a shot from the edge of the box. His strike left Brown no chance of saving, but fortunately for the Buffs’ keeper, it whistled past the top left corner.
It was a great half for The Buffs, who headed into the interval with a much deserved two goal advantage, and it only got better early in the second 45.
A neat one-two just inside the Burgh half allowed MacIntyre to break through on the right-hand side, in behind the Burgh defence. After carrying the ball forward, Blair played it across the box for Wilson, who was never going to miss from close range, as he placed his shot into the back of the net.
Just as it looked like the three points were sealed for The Buffs, a Johnstone Burgh move up the left wing resulted in a dangerous cross into the box. The cross was driven right across the face of the goal and into the path of Watson, where he squeezed the ball past Brown to pull a goal back for his side.
The half-time changes made by The Burgh had clearly worked as they really began ramping up the pressure on The Buffs, who had lost their way in the game. Despite the hosts’ hard work, the Buffs defence was standing strong and denying any clear-cut chances falling their way.
Finally, with around 15 minutes left on the clock, Burgh scored their third through Rossiter from the penalty spot. It was a strange penalty for the Buffs to give away. A free-kick was fired well over the bar, with the referee then pulling the game back to give a Burgh penalty for a Hendry foul. Rossiter made no mistake from the spot to set up a nervy finish.
Fortunately for The Buffs, the only remaining chance the game produced fell the way of Wilson, who worked tirelessly all day. The forward controlled a long ball and danced through the Burgh defence, creating space in the box to get his shot off. Ryan tried to place his side-footed attempt into the far, bottom right corner, but couldn’t quite get the bend on the shot he was looking for, allowing Scullion to get down and save.
The win not only guarantees promotion for the club, but it also moves us up to 7th in the division, just a point behind Pollok and Johnstone Burgh. It’s set up to be a great final day at Largs as the club looks to celebrate their final home game of the season on a high, with promotion already secured.
