The Challenge Cup brings the good opportunity to pit yourselves against teams from outside the East of Scotland set up, with previous matches against Lowland League sides such as Albion Rovers and Civil Service Strollers, as well as West of Scotland Glasgow University in recent years. Saturday was no different, with the visit of Lowland League East Dunipace to East Shore Park.

It was always going to be a big ask to match the strength of a side such as ‘Pace’ and within the first 7 minutes, it threatened to be something of a nightmare.

As expected, Dunipace dominated proceedings pretty much throughout and marked their early intent when Sinclair forced Duffield down at his near post to tip round a free kick for a corner in the 4th minute.

Moments later the deadlock was broken following a corner that was knocked around the box and then rifled home by MacDonald from 10 yards out.

Matters went from bad to worse moments later as another ‘Pace’ move into the Burgh box saw MacDonald run into the path of Newsome and his ankles were clipped with the referee pointing to the spot. France stepped up and narrowly got his penalty past the fingertips of Duffield for 2-0 on 7 minutes.

Whilst the visitors were dominating possession, Burgh were doing their best to stand firm and limit chances on Duffield’s goal, although the Burgh keeper was on hand to do his bit for the cause.

As Burgh steadied the ship, they also had a spell of pressure at the other end of the field with McLaren having a good chance blocked by a last-ditch challenge on 24 minutes, whilst Twaddell forced Kane into a close range save for a corner a few minutes later and then sub Cotorobai got on the end of a quick corner to drive a shot towards the near post that was blocked on 37 minutes.

Dunipace increased their lead in the 39th minute following a corner from the left which was headed against the bar with the rebound falling to Williamson who was quickest on hand to fire home the rebound from close range.

Credit to Burgh, though, as they weren’t over-awed and continued to push towards the Dunipace goal. In the 50th minute Daly’s free kick found Bannerman who beat the advancing keeper to loop a header just over the bar.

‘Pace’ were the next scorers, however, when MacDonald’s pass cut through the Burgh defence and France fired a low shot past Duffield in the 53rd minute. Thankfully Daly was on hand to clear off the line, but MacDonald’s rebound shot was deflected home by Mitchell from close range for 4-0.

Sinclair was desperate to get on the scoresheet for Dunipace, following his four goals against Whitehill Welfare recently, and he tested Duffield again on 55 minutes but the Burgh keeper was down well to stretch out his left hand to save.

Bannerman had another goalward header just wide of target from a long Daly throw into the box in the 61st minute, whilst on 71 minutes Burgh spurned their best chance of the game after great determination from Cotorobai set up a 2 vs 1 attack in Burgh’s favour. The Burgh sub laid off McLaren with a sight on goal but the Burgh striker was unable to trouble the keeper.

Sinclair was still trying to get his goal past the Burgh stopper but his low long-range effort on 73 minutes posed little threat to Duffield who was down to his right to save.

As the clock moved into stoppage time, MacDonald nearly made it five with a curling free kick just over the bar.

Whilst the result was never in doubt against a stronger Dunipace side, there was much positive and heart from the Newburgh performance that kept working hard throughout.

Best wishes to Dunipace for the next round and the rest of the season.

Man of the Match: Ben Duffield – a busy afternoon, but a number of great saves to keep the scoreline respectable against a side capable of punishing chances.