Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup First Round

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1

LADESIDE fell at the first hurdle in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup after going down to an added-time penalty at Loch Park.

Glenafton created the first chance when Joe Andrew set up Ryan Borris who cut inside but his shot was easily saved by Kieran Hughes.

Ladeside took the lead in four minutes when a Paul Harkins free-kick into the box was touched on by Adam Forde to Mick O’Byrne and his effort took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Ciaran McElroy then shot just wide after a flick on from Martin Grehan. In 11 minutes Kilbirnie had strong claims for a penalty turned down when McElroy was taken out by keeper Blair Lochhead just inside the area.

David Gray then fired a free-kick well over the bar before a Borris shot from distance went well wide. McElroy then had an effort on goal but this was easily saved by Lochhead. Glenafton drew level in 38 minutes after being awarded a soft free-kick 20 yards out. Gray fired the set-piece into the wall and a massive deflection took the ball away from Hughes into the opposite corner of the net.

Kilbirnie started the second half brightly and good play between David Anderson and Forde saw the latter shoot just over the bar. Substitute Ally Park then headed wide from a Gray free kick. In 72 minutes a Conor Lynass shot took a deflection but Hughes dived to save.

Kilbirnie had a good opportunity in 76 minutes when a ball into the middle fell to Forde inside the box but he fired wide. Park then shot over the bar from 30 yards.

With time running out it looked set for a penalty shoot out but a late attack saw Lynass fire the ball goalwards and the referee pointed to the penalty spot, having harshly adjudged O’Byrne had handled the ball. Gray stepped up to net.