When Lewis Stevenson hit his stunning 48th minute equaliser on Saturday at Stirling Uni, it capped a great rise through the young 20 year old’s fledging career with more sure to follow.

But it was manager Allan Moody’s keen eye for young talent that recognised the potential of the Burgh midfielder as ‘Stevo’ will continue to develop after recently completing a permanent move from Oakley United and reaching the end of their U20s set up with first team opportunities limited.

It’s another journey that Moody doesn’t shy away from giving opportunity to spot and work with younger players and giving them chance to shine and develop.

Stevenson started his journey with spells with Dunfermline Pro Youth and then Alloa Pro Youth, where he was playing in a year group above his age. Spells followed at the Blue Brazil and then Valleyfield YFC where his progress was stopped by the club not entering an U20s side.

A move to Oakley’s U20s side followed where he featured regularly, topped up with a number of appearances for their first team. But when the U20s season finished, Moody made his approach to loan, initially, Stevenson to give him game time. Such was the impression that the defender/midfielder made, that Burgh moved quickly to made the deal permanent.

Lewis has been a regular feature in the team and an asset in either covering in defence or in midfield, where he has flourished. Stevenson created both assists in the 2-2 draw at Hawick, and then followed this up with a goal and assist in the great 2-1 win over Stirling at the weekend.

He isn’t the first young player to come under the wings and guidance of Moody, and coaches Steve Clark and Ewan Baillie. There are actually several examples within the Burgh squad that have been with the management trio for a number of years and progressed, such as Greg Stapleton, Andrew Reade with Josh Doyle and Rory Marshall being two recent examples that are young players making a big impact to their development and future.

An even more obvious success story lies with Burgh defender Lewis Caulfield. ‘Big Cau’ came onto Moody’s radar and given his chance in a friendly for Fossoway AFC, ironically against the Burgh at East Shore Park, at the tender age of just 15! By 16 he featured in the Kinross Tournament and was given occasional games as he developed.

By the age of 18, Cau was a regular in the heart of the Fossoway (then to merge as Kinross Colts) defence and became one of the club’s youngest captains. This is one player that Moody was quick to bring to East Shore Park when he joined the club and Cau has again continued his progress on a higher stage in the East of Scotland Leagues.

There aren’t many better coaches for a young player to come than work under the knowledge and mentoring of Moody, Clark and Baillie and the future looks bright for the youth of Newburgh!