Johnstone Burgh Boss Jamie McKim hailed last Saturday as a perfect day from start to finish as his side kicked off their League Two season with a 5-3 win over Forth Wanderers at Kingsmill Park. 


His players met early in the morning for the away tie, and were together until late at night at a club fundraising event. 


And McKim knows that the team spirit and morale that came from Saturday is just as important as the three points recorded by his side. 


He said: “It was a very positive day from start to finish. 


“We met just before 11am for the bus and the team were together until midnight as we had a race night. It was brilliant for team bonding and the result helped that.” 

The Gazette:

Burgh boss Jamie McKim (centre) 

Burgh have been in tremendous form as they have cruised to the knockout stages of the Sectional League Cup with two convincing wins and a tight loss and they continued that form against the Wanderers as they got off to a flying start, scoring after just 35 seconds when new arrival Ryan Officer fired past the keeper. 


The 22-year-old was prolific for previous club Glynhill Moorcroft with more than 150 goals in two seasons there and wasted no time in opening up his Burgh account, showing killer instinct to remain composed to slot past the keeper with a neat finish. 


The hosts fought their way back into it eight minutes later after putting the Burgh defence under sustained pressure from set-pieces with Stephen Larkin putting it beyond Cammy Sinclair. 


McKim’s side restored their lead before the break through winger Sam Esplin who continued his goal-scoring form with a stunning effort that provided an early contender for goal of the season after a superb solo run and shot that clipped the underside of the bar on the way in.


Burgh upped the tempo in the second half and piled on the pressure.


The three points were all but sealed just after the hour mark as Scott Arthur finished from close range before Ross Geddes took advantage of lacklustre defending just six minutes later. 


The home side reduced the deficit to two in the final ten minutes through Kris Dick, but any hope of a fightback was quickly extinguished as Officer got his second on 85 minutes.


Forth bagged a consolation goal in injury time but it was too little too late. 


Burgh were missing a number of players from Saturday’s squad but swept aside Forth, recently relegated but among the title favourites, to put a warning out to the rest of the league. 


Delighted McKim said: “We went there with a depleted squad and played two up top, which we haven’t really done in pre-season but the boys worked their socks off and got what they deserved. 


“After the opening goal 35 seconds in we just got stronger and stronger. 
“To take us lightly would be very foolish, for any team. 


“The atmosphere between the players is getting better every week.

"They’re beginning to fight for each as well and it’s only going to get better. 


“We feel confident going up against anybody right now. There’s no fear.”