Saturday 21st November 2020 – South Regional Challenge Cup 2nd Round
Blackburn United 3 Newburgh Juniors 1
Redfern 51, 67 Watson 73 Edwards 10
Brian Ross, making his first appearance after returning to the club during the week from Wishaw HSFP, almost got things off to a dream start when he played a quick one-two with Danny Campbell inside the Newburgh area but Calum Sutherland in the Newburgh goal palmed his effort away. A few minutes later a Stuart MacLeod corner fell to James Mildren who’s effort was deflected wide. Then it was Danny Campbell who got on the end of a long goal kick and lobbed Sutherland but the ball bounced wide.
However on the 10 minute mark Blackburn were caught with a sucker punch when a long clearance from Sutherland free kick found Aiden Edwards running clear of the back line and he poked the ball through Gavin King’s legs to open the scoring. Ben Scarborough almost doubled the lead on 20 minutes when he went on a run down the left evading several challenges but his effort was well saved by King.
At the other end a minute later, MacLeod had a run and shot which was straight at Sutherland. Kieran Swanson then burst clear down the right and swung in a cross which Marley Redfern met but his shot flew over. On the half hour mark Brian Ross’s 25 yard free kick slid past.
Blackburn started the second period on the front foot and within six minutes were level. From a searching ball down the right, Laurie Devine cut into the box and lofted a cross to the back post area where Marley Redfern gathered, cut inside his marker and fired past Sutherland at his near post.
The home side began to dominate and on 67 minutes the second came, from a throw-in the Newburgh back line were pressured on the edge of their own area, and again it was Redfern who pounced on a loose pass and curled a terrific shot beyond Sutherland.
Justin Watson, on for Marc Smith, was next to go close when he drove at the Newburgh defence but dragged his shot wide. However two minutes later it was Watson again who got on the end of a Danny Campbell pass and raced in on goal before firing the ball beyond Sutherland to make it 3-1.
On 77 minutes Gordon Clark had the first real chance of the half for the visitors when his free kick drifted over the bar, then Jordan Annandale had an effort which went wide.
With time running out, first Finlay Anderson header over from a corner, and then a Richie Hutton shot from a corner eluded Sutherland but was booted off the line. With three minutes left, and after consulting his linesman, referee Cavan flashed a red card was flashed at Finlay Anderson for an altercation after a free-kick had been awarded to Newburgh, a disappointing end to a good performance and a first home win of the season, with seven of the squad being 21 or under.
Blackburn United: Gavin King, Kieran Swanson (Jordan Devine 82), Martin Lawrie, James Mildren, Finlay Anderson, Marc Smith (Justin Watson 55), Laurie Devine (Richie Hutton 78), Stuart MacLeod (Take Hirooka 78), Brian Ross, Danny Campbell (Matty Kinross 82), Marley Redfern. Unused subs: Craig Saunders
Newburgh: Calum Sutherland, Ameen Johal, Ben Scarborough, Gordon Clark, Aiden Edwards, Ben Jenkins (Scott Sutherland 60), Jamie Gay (Tijan Nyass 70), Paul Leadbetter, Jordan Annandale, Jack Hutchison (Kyle Fraser 83), Reece Redpath (Ryan Kinnes 83).
Referee: Andrew Caven Assistants: Cameron Doyle, Euan Donaldson