late goal sends Keanie Park wild

Published 28 Apr 2010 15:24 0 Comments

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JUBILATION: Perrie wheels away to celebrate his late winner. Photo by Martin McLellan.

By Sahil Jaidka - Johnstone Burgh 3 St Roch's 2

JOHNSTONE Burgh clinched all three points in a five-goal thriller thanks to a last minute strike from midfielder Ross Perrie.

Coincidentally, Burgh scored at the death last time these sides met to steal all three points and relieved manager George Walker admitted his players got more than they deserved this time out against a plucky St Roch's side.

He told Gazette Sport: "It was a hard fought win and we didn't play particularly well.

"St Roch's were the better side by far, we were very poor, not taking anything away from St Roch's, they played well and deserved at least a draw.

"We are delighted with the three points but it was a poor, poor team performance, St Roch's deserved more from today."

It was a bright start from the home team who took the lead at Keanie Park after nine minutes when a good move ended with a lay-off pass from striker Steven Fitzpatrick into the path of midfielder David Brolly who slammed home a 25-yard strike into the top left corner.

However, the lead didn't last long as the visitors won a corner minutes later and Garry Bennett's cross was met by Russell Pollock who headed St Roch's level after 11 minutes.

As the game opened up, Burgh wasted several good chances to get their second of the game with Brolly missing the easiest opportunity when he headed wide from four yards out.

Burgh carved open the visitors defence again, just before the interval, as Brolly found Perrie and the midfielder set-up George Hamilton who fired a shot at goal which forced a top class save from St Roch's keeper Jim Doherty.

The visitors started the brighter of the two teams after the break and were soon in the lead when Bennett was fouled in the area by Hamilton and striker Brian Henderson stepped up to chip the ball down the middle of the goal, sending keeper Fraser Wilson the wrong way.

The goal led to changes by the home side with Hamilton and Brolly replaced by Craig Marr and Neil Dinnen as Burgh searched for the equaliser.

They didn't have long to wait as a throw-in from Perrie lead to a scramble in the box and Martin McIntyre forced the ball over the line.

Doherty was again forced to keep out Burgh when a good passing move saw McIntyre play in Sherry but the striker's shot was saved as the home team pushed on for the winner. As the match appeared to be heading for a draw, a long throw-in by Steven McGarrigle was met by the head of McIntyre and his effort crashed off the bar. But Perrie reacted the fastest and scrambled the ball into the back of the net, snatching the three points at the death for the home team and sending Keanie Park into jubilation.

Team: Wilson, McIntyre, Ross, Donaghy, McGarrigle, Perrie, Brolly (Marr 60), Hamilton (Dinnen 60), Fitzpatrick, Sherry (c) (Lennon76), Chalmers. Subs not used: Hendren, Craig, Smith, Doherty.

This article appeared in The Gazette 28 Apr 10

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