Newburgh display one of the best ever, says boss

Kinnoull were worthy of their status early in the game as they played some superb direct football, pushing forwards through midfield and threatening the ’Burgh goal on several occasions in the opening 15 minutes.

Newburgh settled into the game and produced their first chance on goal in the 20th minute, when Scott Sutherland picked up a through ball from Jamie Gay, but the striker’s shot was gathered in by Osinski in the Kinnoull goal.

Newburgh opened their account in the 28th minute with a wonderful goal from Scott Sutherland.

The ’Burgh striker picked up a neat pass from Gay and drove in on goal. As Osinski narrowed the angle, Sutherland drove a shot low into the bottom corner beyond the Kinnoull keeper’s reach.

Newburgh drove hard at Kinnoull to add to their lead. Sutherland had another chance in the box from a Scarborough cross but the ball would not settle for him to get a clean strike away.

A Jamie Gay strike looked goalbound but for a block by Frydrychowicz, who felt the force of the shot full in his face.

The second goal would not come for Newburgh and Kinnoull began once again to create chances.

A Davies shot struck the post but, with Calum Sutherland in the Newburgh goal on top form, this was the closest the visitors came to grabbing an equaliser.

Cameron and Clark, in the middle of the Newburgh defence, were calmly thwarting any threat and, as half time arrived, Newburgh were now on top in the game.

Kinnoull started the second half at pace, throwing everything they had at Newburgh, searching for an equaliser.

But, with the ’Burgh back four having a superb game, they were unable to create anything that really threatened to make an impact.

Johal and Scarborough were defending narrowly and, with Cameron and Clark in great form, they were coping well and, additionally, creating opportunities going forwards.

Newburgh added a goal just on the hour and, once again, the in-form Scott Sutherland added to his already impressive season’s tally.

Having chased down a through ball that Osinski was called off his line in a hurry to clear, Sutherland got himself back onside to pick up a pass from Redpath.

Sutherland still had loads to do but, with two defenders bearing down on him, he managed to turn and crack a shot that took a deflection, catching Osinski wrong-footed as it bulged the back of the Kinnoull net.

Newburgh’s third and decisive goal followed directly from the re-start.

A poor first touch by a Kinnoull defender from the kick-off was pounced upon by Sutherland.

He slipped a pass into the path of strike partner Gay, who drove into the box and slotted the ball past Osinski to give Newburgh the all-important third goal.

The loss of that third counter sucked the life out of Kinnoull and they were unable to create any real cohesive threat going forwards.

Newburgh secured the majority of possession and managed the game well to a conclusion.

Manager Scott Hudson was pleased with the performance, saying: “We set out a game plan and I said to the team they would have to concentrate 100 per cent for the full game to make sure we were matching Kinnoull across the park.

“The lads stuck to this and we have just said to them in the changing room that this is probably one of our best performances since we have been at the club.

“The caveat to this is we now need to maintain this level of performance week on week, as there are no easy games in this league.”

Newburgh look forward to a trip up the A9 to Luncarty on Saturday to face the last team to hold a 100 per cent league record. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Newburgh: C. Sutherland, Johal, Clark, Cameron, Scarborough, Leadbetter (Murdoch 62), Hutchison (Fraser 74), Redpath, . Sutherland, Gay, Elseedawy.