Whilst even the most ardent or optimistic fan would have been even the least bit fearful, those fears were realised within 25 seconds of the start of the game as a depleted Burgh side – missing a further 4 players who picked up injuries at Armadale – fell behind to yet another early goal. Robbie Hall played a ball through to McNeish on the left hand side of the area, who cut inside and fired a low shot that beat Joe Russell at his near post.

In the 16th minute that Hall/McNeish combination was at it again with a neat one-two that allowed McNeish to send over a pin-point cross that Soutar headed home from close range. Two quickly turned to three on 22 minutes as Thomson got his name on the scoresheet beating the Burgh defence to a corner at the near post to nod home.

Matters went from bad to worse just before half time when the blustery wind held up the ball heading through to Russell enough for Thomson to latch onto it as he caught by the keeper as he took it round him. The referee pointed to the spot for the first of two occasions and deemed it a red card offence.

With the other main keeper Jack Foster recovering from injury and not named on the bench, goalkeeper coach Jason Inglis signed on as an emergency option earlier in the season was called into action for his first appearance in a Burgh jersey in the 44th minute. ‘Jingles’ first action was to face the penalty but Drummond made no mistake and the visitors went in at the break 4-0 up.

With a weakened side now down to 10 men, it was always going to mission impossible and Thornton showed their strength with their second penalty of the game in the 50th minute when a tangle of legs between Jowitt and Soutar saw the ref again pointing to the spot and Drummond repeated this first half feat by scoring.

On 61 minutes McCallion was played through a static Burgh defence and made no mistake firing beyond Inglis for 6-0.

It was all one-way traffic throughout the game and Burgh was just hoping for the final whistle but there was still one more goal to come and in the 76th minute another ball over the heads of the defence found Thomson who had the easiest of tasks to slot home.

It was, perhaps, a predictable result (maybe not quite so heavy!) but it was the manner of the defeat and performance that was disappointing, following on from such impressive displays at both Stirling Uni and Armadale. But with several injuries, a molehill inevitably turned into a mountain even before going down to 10 men and Thornton were well worthy of their win.

Match Sponsors Man of the Match: Ronan Hall.