Burgh teen sinks Yoker

Ewan McInnes - Ewan McInnes • Published 25 Feb 2009 12:30

Johnstone Burgh 3 Yoker 1

Burgh boss George Walker praised his players" performance after a comfortable win over Yoker, singling out a talented teenager for his terrific display.

Youngster Michael Rutherford is on the way back after a bad knee injury and Walker is happy to have him at Keanie Park as he returns to form.

He said: 'It was a tremendous result for us. I thought the team played very well today, especially the second half performance.

'I think the young boy Rutherford we have just signed was outstanding.

'We took him off with fifteen minutes to go because he is just back from a knee injury.

'We will be nursing the boy because he is only seventeen but he was exceptional today. The boy has got a wee chance if he keeps playing like that.

'Overall the whole team performance was good but I was disappointed at the death because I felt we lost a bad, bad goal again with four minutes to go, which we shouldn"t be losing.'

After a scrappy start Burgh took an early lead in the ninth minute.

Ross Perrie found space in the left-hand side of Yoker"s penalty box and was fouled by Gary Vickers.

Yoker felt aggrieved claiming Perrie was originally offside but the referee waved away their protests and John Sherry popped up to calmly slot home.

Yoker had plenty of possession in the opening third of the game, but could not find any clear chances and were almost two down just after the half hour.

Striker Kevin Adam picked up the ball 35 yards out and after a fine touch and turn he rifled a shot just inches over the crossbar.

On 35 minutes a crunching tackle on Yoker"s Tom Jordan by Christie opened up another attack for Burgh.

The ball was slipped out right to Rutherford and the youngster"s low cross dropped back to Christie, whose shot was cleared off the line by Schoneville.

Minutes from half-time Adam had another chance to net Burgh"s second when he rounded the oncoming Kenny Meechan, but his tame shot was stopped yards from the line.

Burgh eventually added to their tally 10 minutes into the second half when the impressive Rutherford broke on the counter.

The youngster put in a teasing cross which was missed by Adam but landed at the feet of Sherry at the back post.

His delicate chip was then headed down and in by midfield dynamo Perrie.

There is no love lost between these two sides and it showed with tempers flaring on several occasions.

Yoker were never in the game, creating few chances, and just after the hour Gary Bisland allowed his frustration to boil over when his shocking tackle on Rutherford saw him receive a straight red.

Yoker had further problems as it seemed left back James O"Hara was trying his best to get a second yellow with some badly timed tackles and acts of petulance aimed at Burgh players and the ref.

He was hooked with 20 minutes to go but his replacement, Billy McCafferty, could do nothing to prevent Burgh going three up. Rutherford was found wide open on the right and his neat pass put Adamone on one with Meechan and the striker"s drilled shot hit the net in off the post.

Yoker finally had a clear-cut chance with 10 minutes to play when sub McCafferty whipped in a cross but Martin Gallagher headed over when it looked much easier to score.

Burgh had several chances to add to their lead but it was Yoker who completed the scoring.

Gary Vickers" cross from the right was headed in by Gallagher who made amends for his earlier miss but it was all too little too late.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 25 Feb 09

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