Ardagh Glass League Cup

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 0

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 2

ONCE again Winton fielded a makeshift side at a sunny Winton Park, although they did have Alan Muir available again, against a Kilbirnie team who had picked up their first points on Wednesday.

Winton were looking for their first win and a good performance after the mauling at Abbey Park on Wednesday night.

Kilbirnie had the first chance almost from the kick-off when a dangerous cross from Kris Lafferty was only headed out to the edge of the box. The follow-up shot was partly blocked by Michael Lennox and the ball ran back through to Bryan Tucker. Bradley Rodden headed narrowly wide in five minutes and a couple of minutes later Tucker made a good save from a long range shot from Reece Williamson.

Winton’s first real threat came in the eight minutes when a good cross from the left from Dylan McLaughlan was cleared back out for a throw – in. A minute later Adam Easdon had a long range free kick go wide of the far post.

Winton’s first real attempt on goal came in 20 minutes when Dylan McLaughlan got a great pass from Jordan Cairnie on the edge of the box, turned the defender and got into the box but his shot was comfortably saved by Hughes.

Rovers' next attempt to break the deadlock saw shots from Larry McMahon and Jordan Cairnie from the edge of the box blocked and cleared. In 33 minutes Regan Ross saw his 30-yard free -kick go well over the bar.

Ladeside opened the scoring in 36 minutes when the dangerous Kris Lafferty made a strong run down the right before crossing the ball low into the goalmouth where Scullion was on hand to knock the ball home for 1-0. With five minutes of the half left to go Rovers won a free-kick right on the edge of the Ladeside box but Michael Lennox’s effort was deflected for a corner. Alan Muir then shot over the bar from about 20 yards before Williamson had a shot blocked then cleared after some good play by Lafferty in 43 minutes. Right on half-=time Bryan Tucker made a good save from Williamson before Jordan Cairnie cleared the loose ball.

Kilbirnie brought on Peter McGill for Bradley Rodden at the start of the second half and Winton’s injury woes continued with less than five minutes gone when their most effective player up front, McLaughlan, had to leave the pitch with blood coming from a head wound and also an arm injury and was replaced by Lee Davidson.

Despite some chances for Winton, Kilbirnie controversially doubled their lead in 63 minutes when substitute Peter McGill, who looked clearly offside was allowed to run in on goal and although Bryan Tucker came out to meet him and partially blocked his shot the ball ended up in the net and despite strong protests from Rovers the goal stood for 2-0. Kilbirnie brought out good saves from Tucker with 10 minutes left before Lee Davidson saw his free-kick go narrowly over the bar in 85 minutes.

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS: Tucker; Cairnie, Easdon, Davidson, Lennox, Muir, Anderson, Ross, McLaughlan, Tan, McMahon. Subs: Davidson, Cowie, Jamieson, Orr.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: Halliday, Mitchell, Bembo, O'Byrne, Hughes, Lafferty, Anderson, Rodden, Scullion, Williamson, Hughes (GK). Subs: McGill, Clark, Burns, Gray.