Burgh prepare for massive Scottish Cup clash in style
BELLSHILL ATHLETIC ................................ 0 JOHNSTONE BURGH ................................. 5
Johnstone Burgh warmed up for their huge impending Scottish Junior Cup fourth round tie with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in perfect fashion after putting on a five-star show against Bellshill Athletic.
Jojo Gillespie’s early penalty put the visitors in control on Saturday before Sam Esplin doubled their lead ahead of the half-time whistle.
Brian Connor put the game beyond all doubt with 20 minutes to go, with Esplin and debutant Fraser Lee putting the gloss on the scoreline late on.
Burgh welcome Premier Division side Rob Roy to Keanie Park this Saturday with a coveted quarter-final spot up for grabs.
And while boss Jamie McKim admits they face an uphill battle against their top flight opposition, he’s determined to go into this weekend’s tie all guns blazing.
He told Express Sport:“I was delighted with the way we bounced back against Bellshill, having been disappointed with a draw the weekend before.
“When they lost the second goal you could see their heads went down, but we still did well to keep our foot on the gas and finish the game strongly.
“We said before the game that it was a must-win if we were serious about climbing the table. It was a positive first step and we’ve still got games in hand which helps our cause.
“It was the perfect result heading into a massive game this weekend against Roy Roy.
“It’s one of the biggest games I’ve been involved in at the club and it’s the furthest the club have been in several years.
“To get into the last eight would be a terrific achievment and we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.
“If we go into the game and just try and defend against them it’ll feel like a three day game, not just 90 minutes.
“There’s no way we’re going into this tie thinking negatively.
“We’ll take the game to them, play our way and hopefully pull off an historic win for the club.”
Burgh’s task is even tougher given they will be without four key players, with skipper Stuart Fyfe and David Collins both suspended and Brian Connor and Ruaridh Clark .
McKim is confident his squad will cope with the challenge, with the boss anticipating calling up some of the club’s development players to fill in the gaps.
McKim said: “We’re missing four key players which means there’ll be four changes to the team that beat Bellshill straight off the bat, which isn’t ideal.
“It’s a shame they’re missing such a big game.
“But we’ve got a strong squad and I will likely be calling up some of our young talents in for the match which will be great experience for them.
“This is a last-16 Scottish Cup tie at Keanie Park and if you can’t get up for this then there’s no point in even being at this club.
“It’s going to be a really positive day and if we don’t make it through, it certainly won’t be for a lack of trying.
“We’ll do everything we can to be solid at the back while making sure we can hurt them when we attack.”