ARDAGH GLASS LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Kilbirnie Ladeside 1

Auchinleck Talbot 0

Ladeside got their hands on the first silverware of the season after a hard fought victory against Auchinleck Talbot at Meadow Park. 

First half chances were few and far between as both teams cancelled each other out in midfield and defence and it took it took until the 22nd minute before it looked like we may get a goal when Graham Wilson was played through but Mark Staunton got back and make a good covering tackle to stop any danger. 

A few minutes later Auchinleck had another chance when a Bryan Young corner from the right was flicked on to Wilson but his effort was blocked by Kyle Rafferty. 

It took Ladeside until the 41st minute before they created a real chance - a Rafferty throw in found Martin Grehan and his low cross into the box saw Ciaran McElroy get an effort on target but Andy Leishman saved comfortably. 

In added time at the end of the half Auchinleck were awarded a free kick which Gordon Pope swung in at the second attempt.

Craig McCracken headed goal-ward at the back post, but Kieran Hughes was well positioned to save his effort.

The second half was just as tight but again it was Talbot who had the first chance when a Pope free kick was cleared only as far as Steven White but he fired his effort well wide. 

With just over an hour played Ladeside made their first substitution of the afternoon with Ed McTernan replacing Kieran Brannan. 

This proved to be an inspired substitution as Kilbirnie took the lead two minutes later.

David Anderson picked the ball up in midfield and played a good pass to Grehan who in turn split the Talbot defence with a ball through for McTernan who held off the defender and slotted the ball past the advancing Leishman into the far corner. 

Ladeside created another chance when an Adam Forde free kick from the left was touched back to the edge of the box by McTernan to Anderson but his shot flew over the bar. 

Stephen Swift's side looked to be keeping Talbot at bay stopping any further chances but three minutes into added time a long ball was flicked on to Mark Shankland in the box.

Somehow he fired his effort wide with the referee immediately blowing for full time and cue the celebrations from the Ladeside players, management and fans. 

Kilbirnie Ladeside - Hughes; Rafferty, Gray, Staunton, Haxton, Green, Brannan, Anderson, Grehan, McElroy, Gold

Subs - Donnelly, Forde, McTernan, Meechan, Malone