Kilbirnie are beaten by Cumnock

CUMNOCK JUNIORS 3

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1

LADESIDE got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a goal in the first minute of the game.

Cumnock forced a corner from kick off and although it was headed clear it fell to ex- Kilbirnie player Raymond Montgomerie, who fired a 20-yard shot into the top corner of the net.

The visitors were dealt a blow a few minutes later when Ryan Haxton limped off injured. The next chance fell to Watt, but Kieran Hughes tipped his effort over the bar.

Ladeside then had a couple of efforts on goal when Kyle Rafferty shot wide from the edge of the box and then linked up with Martin Grehan before curling an effort wide of target. A long free-kick from Hughes then found Grehan who laid the ball off to Steven Meechan but his shot from 30 yards went wide.

A good crossfield ball found Ross McKinnon but his effort was easily saved by Johnston before the last chance of the half fell to Montgomerie, but his cross come shot was tipped over the bar by Hughes.

Cumnock pressed from the start of the second half and Hughes made a good low save from Anson after he was played through on goal.

The home side doubled their lead when a quick free-kick to Watt saw his cross into the box fall to Montgomerie 12 yards out and he smashed the ball past Hughes into the net.

Ladeside pulled a goal back four mins later when Harkins showed some good close control to tease the Cumnock defence before crossing for Adam Forde to head home from 10 yards. Morton then headed wide from a cross from the left before Mark Staunton played the ball forward to Harkins who turned his marker before shooting over from 25 yards.

Cumnock restored their two goal lead after 71 minutes when substitute Samson slotted the ball past Hughes after being slipped in by Anson. A few minutes later Anson had a chance himself from a throw-in but he fired just wide.

Further chances the fell to Esplin who fired over from inside the box before Morton shot wide from distance.

The last chance of the game fell to McElroy when he cut inside from the left wing but he fired his effort wide of the goal.

A poor performance from Ladeside after the previous weekend's win against Pollok and need to look to improve ahead of Saturday's local derby against rivals Beith.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: Hughes Gray, McKinnon, Staunton, Haxton, Green, Rafferty, Anderson, Grehan, Forde, Meechan. Subs: McElroy, Harkins, Donnelly, Brannan, Kerr.

CUMNOCK: Johnston; Woods, Crawford, Lundie, McKenna, Esplin, Montgomerie, Burns, Anson, MacKenzie, Watt. Subs: Morton, Samson, Muir, Shirkie, McRobbie.