Johnstone Burgh FC 2–3 Elgin City: Pre-Season Friendly Ends in Entertaining Victory for Scottish Visitors

Elgin City continued their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 3–2 win over Johnstone Burgh FC in an international club friendly on 4 July 2026. The match, played at Keanie Park, provided plenty of entertainment for the travelling fans as the Scottish League Two side edged out their West of Scotland League hosts.

Match Overview

The friendly was used by both managers to test fitness and rotation, but the competitive edge never waned. Elgin City took an early lead through a sharp finish from striker Kane Hester in the 12th minute. Johnstone Burgh responded well and equalised before half-time via a well-taken penalty after a handball in the box.

The second half saw end-to-end action. Elgin restored their advantage through a long-range strike from midfielder Russell Dingwall, but again the home side refused to lie down, equalising for a second time with 20 minutes remaining. In the end, it was Elgin's superior fitness that told, as substitute Dylan Lawrence pounced on a loose ball inside the box to score the decisive goal in the 84th minute.

Key Moments

• 12' (0–1): Kane Hester slots home after a neat through ball.
• 35' (1–1): Johnstone Burgh convert a penalty to level the match.
• 55' (1–2): Russell Dingwall's fierce drive restores Elgin's lead.
• 70' (2–2): The hosts capitalise on a defensive mix-up to equalise again.
• 84' (2–3): Dylan Lawrence taps in from close range for the winner.

Tactical Observations

Johnstone Burgh showed they could match Elgin for long spells, particularly in midfield. However, the gulf in class became apparent as the game wore on, with Elgin's professional movement and sharper finishing proving decisive. The friendly will give Johnstone Burgh confidence ahead of their domestic campaign, while Elgin boss Ross Draper will be pleased with his side's resilience and volume of chances created.

Standouts and Implications

Kane Hester looked lively all evening, but it was substitute Dylan Lawrence who stole the headlines with his late winner. For Johnstone Burgh, midfielder Craig Malcolm impressed with his energy and composure from the spot. The result adds to Elgin City's encouraging pre-season record as they build towards the start of the Scottish League Two season.