Burgh were in action on Sunday with the lunch time kick off against Fife neighbours Cowdenbeath Central as part of the "Groundhoppers Weekend" in the area which saw a number of matches staggered across the weekend.

As with our previous meeting at East Shore Park, Venters Park had a big number of football fans from around the UK and beyond to see if Burgh could pick up an important win – and a hat-trick against the League new boys.

It turned into a typical Scottish day with the weather seemingly presenting four seasons in 90 minutes with a strong blustery wind blowing from one end to the other.

It was Burgh that had the elements, theoretically, in their favour in the opening 45 minutes and in just the second minute Ronnie Martin’s floated free kick to the back post sent ex-Burgh keeper David Chalmers stretching to tip behind (more of that battle later…).

In the 11th minute Finn Bannerman was played through by a beautiful pass from Man of the Match Blair Campbell. But the young man’s first touch was perhaps a little too strong and it gave Chalmers chance to rush out and managed to deflect the Burgh man’s second touch behind for a corner.

In the 23rd minute Bannerman again went close with a turn and shot that was blocked by Chalmers from close range.

Whilst at this stage Burgh were looking the stronger, they weren’t making the most of the potential weather advantage. Hosts Cowden were getting a foot-hold on the game and fired a couple of warning shots across the bow.

The first of which came in the 31st minute when Coventry cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful low shot into the far corner that Scott Kyles managed to get a hand to and it rebounded off the post before Kyle Tracey could hack the ball clear.

In the 34th minute Coventry went close again after a neat Cowden move and his low shot was again matched by Kyles who pushed round for a corner.

Burgh didn’t heed the warnings, however, and the home side took the lead moments later when a cross from Simpson on the right was headed home well by Stewart.

The hosts lead, however, was short-lived and owed much to the same finish that Livingston United netted against Burgh before Christmas that was attributed to a touch of Brazilian swerve. This time it was Roberto Martinho (aka Ronnie Martin) whose corner took a sharp swerve at the near post to fly past the helpless Chalmers for 1-1.

Burgh had a chance just on the stroke of half time to make the wind advantage count after good work by Andrew McCallion on the touch line set up a chance for Campbell, whose effort was deflected behind by a desperate last ditch tackle.

As the second half began, the heavens opened and the exposed crowd of 294 was getting soaked as well as wind-swept. This time the home side had the wind at their back and in the 52nd minute a long free kick into the Burgh area was met by head of Spence about 6 yards out and Kyles flung himself to push over well.

On 59 minutes Kyles was down low to save from Jelen’s low drive before Rhys Sneddon hacked clear. On 61 minutes Bannerman continued his search for a goal after good work by Ryan Daly, but the winger’s ball into the six yard box saw Chalmers narrowly beat Bannerman to the cross.

What turned out to be the winning goal came in the 73rd minute as the sun appeared again. Campbell’s floated ball into the Cowden penalty area was header across the area by Andrew McCallion and it was his younger brother Owen who was in the most forward to turn and fire a low shot into the far corner.

It was a touching moment for the McCallion family with one brother providing the assist for the other, and young Owen was delighted with his finish (and rightly so).

Whilst Cowden were desperately seeking an equaliser in the closing stages, a shot from Coventry just over the bar and then a gilt-edged chance for Spence were the only opportunities afforded by the resolute Burgh defence.

Whilst it was never a classic, the wild conditions having much to do with it, it was still an interesting and close encounter between two good sides and hopefully the many Groundhoppers in attendance enjoyed their visits to the area.

Man of the Match: Blair Campbell – arguably his best game for Burgh and ran his socks off for the cause

Notable mention: Scott Kyles – a number of key, important saves owed much to Burgh getting the points.