New‘Burn strip marks return to winning ways

BANNOCKBURN .................................... 3 GREENOCK HSFP ................................... 0

Bannockburn returned to winning ways in the sun and a first showing of their new, Tartan Arms sponsored, home strip.

The anticipation was palpable as the players, management team and supporters felt the importance of shaking off the previous week’s cup exit.

Burn were industrious, showing resoluteness in defence, fervour to win second balls and pacey moves up front.

Burn pressured the visitor’s goal from the first minutes. Brian McGinlay was particularly effective with a variety of crosses that Burn just couldn’t convert.

A Darren Walker header from a McGinlay free kick shaved the post, a Mitchel Reid header too went close. Dylan McGowan fizzed several balls low across the goal for Mark Fox. A floated McGinlay cross was headed by

Fox but landed on top of the net. Walker did head home for the opener on the half hour from a McGowan cross.

Burn’s bad karma for injuries struck again as Christian Marcu succumbed to what looked like a bad knee injury to be replaced with Niall Burns.

The second half continued like the first until Greenock got a good spell of sustained pressure. They had four decent opportunities to score from a header and shots from outside the box.

Adam Young in goal thwarted their advances with saves when called upon.

Burn got back on track as Logan Downie manufactured a 25 yard shot that doubled Burn’s lead. Within minutes the referee played a good advantage and Declan Wood slotted home for a third.

Next week Burn are away in the West of Scotland Cup to face North Glasgow Victory.