Stoneyburn manager Steven Sharp admitted his side weren’t at their best in the opening exchanges of the Fulshie’s East of Scotland Division Three tie with Harthill Royal at Gibbshill Park, writes Callum McCormack.
They would eventually run out 4-0 winners, but had to battle through a nervy first 45 minutes.
Speaking after the match, he said: “I thought in the first-half we were a little bit lacklustre, a bit poor in terms of keeping possession, keeping the ball. If I’m honest a bit all over the place. But I think conditions played a big part of that, it was a very strong wind and it was hard to play in.”
Despite the poor first-half showing, he gives his side credit for their reaction after the break, saying: "We came in at half-time, we said we need to protect the ball more, we need to get on the ball, we need to use the shape we’re playing in.
"We went out in the second-half and they executed everything we asked them to do, so in that respect absolutely delighted with the second-half performance, but we know that we can’t just play for 45 minutes and expect to get results in this league.”
Fulshie forward Ryan Robertson proved to be the difference maker for Sharp’s side. His hat-trick helped ensure the three points went back to Beechwood Park, but Sharp was also quick to praise the striker's team-mates.
He said: “Ryan was good, he was on his game and he was confident. On his day he’s a phenomenal player, but I also think the service from the guys around him was very, very good.
"The work-rate off the ball, in the second half especially, was phenomenal. We take the positives of that and go onto the next game.”
Next up for Stoneyburn, they host Bathgate Thistle on Wednesday night.
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