McBookie Ayrshire District League

CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS 3

ARDEER THISTLE 0

THISTLE completed their last away league fixture for the season at a windy Station Park on Saturday.

After a late call-off, Ardeer had to play Assistant Manager Gareth Armstrong in goals.

The match was slow to get going with neither goalkeeper being called into action early on.

Ardeer had the first clear chance in 15 minutes when a Lee Munro cross found David Henry in the penalty area but the striker's header flew over the bar.

Craigmark hit back and Kieran Nisbet saw his goalbound shot blocked by Michael Holden then Ryan McCubbin saw his 25-yard effort fly wide.

Craigmark were putting pressure on the visitors defence now and Adam Lawrie fired in a shot for 20 yards which was held by Gareth Armstrong. The stand-in keeper had no chance in 28 minutes when the home side went in front. A through ball out wide on the left found Scott Dempster in acres of space. He raced into the box and his diagonal 15-yard shot beat Armstrong to put Craigmark ahead.

This setback spurred Ardeer into action and Ryan Morrow saw his shot blocked at the edge of the box then a Jamie Donnelly pass found Lee Munro running into the box but his 15 yard effort flew over Craigmark keeper Mark Higgins and the crossbar when the striker really should have done better. Jack Robertson had a long range effort wide of target as half time approached. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with a slow start.

The hosts finally got a second goal in 62 minutes when a cross from the left found substitute Mitchell Ewing, who headed the ball back into the path of Stephen McLelland on the edge of the box and his 15-yard effort gave Armstrong no chance.

Five minutes later, Craigmark looked to have the points sewn up when they scored a third goal. A Lewis Kirkwood free-kick just outside the area was well saved by the diving Armstrong but the ball wasn't cleared by the Ardeer defence and the ball found its way to Dempster who scored his second goal from close range.

Ardeer came more into the game after this but it was a case of too little too late. Ryan Morrow saw his 25-yard free-kick saved by Higgins then Lee Munro had a long range drive saved after being set up by David Henry.

At the other end Armstrong saved a Ewing free-kick.

Late on Munro had three efforts foiled by Higgins in the Craigmark goal but the home side had taken their chances and deserved the three points.