The Burgh welcomed mid-table Dalkeith to East Shore Park with manager Rikki McNeill taking charge of his first game at East Shore Park with the locals keen to see how the side is taking shape under the new manager.

The answer is, despite the result, an improving sign that are taking on board the new manager’s methods and the signs are promising as the existing squad are keen to embrace the new instructions and are gelling well.

It was a bright start by McNeill’s chargers as Mitchell Sharp had a chance in the opening minute, whilst new signing Blaine Ferguson, making his full debut, had a shot deflected for a corner in the 3rd minute.

Joe Russell was in the Burgh goal with McNeill keen to give game time to all his squad to help learn about his players. In the main, the keeper had a sound game (more of that shortly) and was called into action in the 7th minute saving well with his feet.

Ferguson had another shot on target in the 19th minute, whilst Burgh were foiled moments later by the offside trap. Full back Adam Wilson then had a great chance with his shot touched round the post by the visiting keeper on 22 minutes, whilst Kyle Tracey fired a good opportunity over the bar moments later.

Burgh were creating a few good chances and another fell to Kellar Harris in the 30th minute at the back post but the striker lost his balance and the chance went by. Ferguson had another shot just wide in the 34th minute

In the 35th minute it was Elliot Jowitt to the rescue clearing off the line before the young defender succumbed to an impact injury and hobbled off minutes later.

The Jags had a couple of chances themselves with a header at the near post going wide in the 40th minute and a shot over the bar in the 43rd minute.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game came on the stroke of half time as Russell went down well low to block a close-range effort. Unfortunately, the ball looped up and fell nicely for Stokes to nod home from a few yards out.
In the 61st minute a cross into the Burgh box from the right was claimed by Russell, but there appeared to be a clash with the keeper and attacker. Words were seemingly exchanged and the referee didn’t appreciate what he heard and Russell was given a straight red.

Ferguson has sadly sacrificed to bring on sub keeper Chalmers but the 10-men of Newburgh more than held their own.

In the closing 10 minutes it looked likely that Burgh were going to grab a deserved equaliser. Sharp had a shot over from a long kick upfield by Chalmers on 81 minutes, whilst skipper Andrew Cameron headed just wide two minutes later.

Adam Wilson again had another chance in the 88th minute after good play down the left hand side, whilst in injury time Dalkeith could have also netted their second with an effort hitting the post.

A tough lesson for Burgh, but also an another hard-working and encouraging display. Man of the Match for Burgh was Bryan Wilson who helped marshall and settle down the defence when needed.