McBookie League One

GREENOCK JUNIORS 0

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 1

SPIRITED Winton rang in 2019 with a hard-fought victory away to their nearest league opponents.

In another game played under floodlights, it was a fairly scrappy first 15 minutes but Greenock created the first chance in six minutes when good build-up play saw Ryan Connelly get into the box but his shot was comfortably saved by Scott Watson. A couple of minutes later a long throw-in by Craig Brown into the goalmouth was dropped by the Winton keeper at his near post under pressure but the loose ball was cleared.

Rovers’ first chance came in 18 minutes when Andy McGregor played a good ball to David Adams who laid it off to Jamie McKenna, whose cross was met at the far post by Sam Liddington but Graeme MacRae saved well. Adams then chased a ball into the box but the keeper saved on the goal-line.

Winton were creating real chances but the hosts were still dangerous and Ryan Corr shot over the bar from a good position. Rovers went down the other end where Adams ran on to a McKenna ball into the box and as MacRae came in to close down the angle the striker slotted the ball past him and into the empty net on the half hour to make it 1-0.

In 35 minutes good play involving David Smith, David Adams and Jamie McKenna saw the latter’s shot comfortably saved by MacRae.

Winton kept giving the ball away early in the second half. Despite pressure Greenock couldn't capitalise and in 68 minutes Scott Watson came off his line and saved at the second attempt from Corr.

David Wilson then blocked a Darren Kennedy shot from the edge of the box. In 77 minutes, Winton won a free-kick 25 yards out but Smith's shot went well over the bar. Rovers ended stronger and in 86 minutes Adams collected a good ball from McKenna and ran in on goal. MacRae forced him wide and he tried to roll it into the net from a tight angle but it ran agonisingly wide.

Two minutes into injury-time Adams fired in a cross which was cleared out to Chris Wilson just outside the box and his shot went narrowly over the bar.

This was an important win at a time when grinding out results even if you are not playing well is important.

ARDROSSAN WR: Watson; McGregor, Hunter, D Wilson, Longair, Maxwell, Smith, Jamie Cunningham, Adams, McKenna, Liddington. Subs:. Wilson, Mears, Cunningham, D Cunningham, Bruce, Young.