MATCH REPORT by Michael Connelly

The first of 4 pre-season friendly games took place on Saturday 6th July, the venue: Keanie Park, home to our opponents Johnstone Burgh.

Warm summer sunshine greeted the teams and the healthy band of Seasiders supporters who had made the journey. The locals had the better of the first half exchanges – their number 9 William Lennox, in particular, was a handful. Marty Fraser, making his second debut in goal, had a couple of good saves & we were perhaps fortunate to go in level at the break.

Understandably, there were more than the usual number of allowed substitutions made by both teams – mainly after the interval.

The second half was a closer affair, particularly in the closing stages, and a number of our younger squad players and trialists played well. However, despite some near misses by both teams, the game ended goalless. It was a good workout for the squad, although we could have anticipated a win against a team who are 3 leagues below us in League Two & finished mid-table.

Recent signing Raymond Montgomerie from Cumnock impressed on his debut, as did young Cammie Reid at left-back. Another of our Academy graduates, Sam McCloy, did well when he came on as a substitute & the other trialist in central defence, when he came on as a second half substitute, looked a good prospect.

It’s early days and not too much should be read into the performance or result. The home team did however show more commitment, and probably would have deserved to win. The game did however achieve it’s purpose – to assist the squad in achieving match fitness. It also allowed our new Manager, Jonathan Baillie, and Assistant Manager Dean Keenan to experiment, and gauge the ability of some of the newer squad players.

We may not have acquired a victory, but our supporters did acquire a sun tan!

REFEREE: Alan Grainger
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Club linesman
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Club linesman