McBookie Ayrshire District League

SALTCOATS VICTORIA 1

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE 3

THISTLE gained revenge over a Vics side who had hammered them 9-0 in last season's league opener at Campbell Park.

Lugar had the ball in the net just four minutes in when Jamie Conn's shot was deflected past goalkeeper Jim Catterson by T.J. Shirkie but referee David Burns rightly ruled the "goal" out for offside.

Conn then ran down the left and sent over a cross-cum-shot that Sean Quinn had to clear with Catterson beaten. Lugar goalkeeper Ronnie Davis made a fine save from a Tom Donovan shot but, even with the strong wind in their faces, Lugar still looked the better team. Conn sent the ball wide off a Shirkie free-kick, and a Lewis Blair pass to Darren Curtis led to Catterson blocking the latter's shot.

Davis pushed a long range effort from Justin Smith past the post but the Seasiders made the breakthrough in 35 minutes.

Former Lugar striker Michael Hart put Jack Ewing in on goal and although Davis did well to get to the shot, the ball fell to Ross Campbell who knocked it into the net from close range. A tussle for a high ball between Davis and Donovan led to a big shout for a penalty from the home side but referee David Burns was unimpressed. Victoria ended the half strongly with Quinn's wind-assisted set pieces causing trouble for Lugar.

The visitors had to spend the interval on the pitch after the door to the dressing room became jammed shut and, despite the rain, this seemed to do them no harm.

Curtis headed a corner from sub Stuart Milligan against the bar at the start of the second half, then a long throw-in from Adam Lowe brought the equaliser in 58 minutes. Catterson's one mistake of the day was to come off his line but Jordan Drummond beat him in the jump and his head flick was enough to take the ball into the net.

Lugar's confidence was high and they took the lead in 69 minutes when Curtis put in a low centre from the right and substitute Chris Stewart hit a first time shot in at the near post. The Vics' disarray was highlighted by a spat between Quinn and the Saltcoats linesman who had shown an excess of honesty over a throw-in. It has, of course, been said that club linesmen are like candles at a church service - they have to be there but they don't shed much light on proceedings.

Catterson denied Blair again before Lugar wrapped up the points 13 minutes from time. With Saltcoats pushing for an equaliser, Blair broke from midfield and sent Conn clear on the right. Yet again Catterson blocked the shot but Stewart showed good awareness and followed up to slide home the rebound and cap a fine all-round performance by the Jaggy Bunnets.

SALTCOATS VICTORIA: Catterson; Masson, Quinn, Burgess, Farrely, McLeod, Ewing, J.Smith, Hart, Donovan, Campbell. Subs: Gallagher, Morgan, D Smith, Reid, Kerr.

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE: Davis; Montgomery, Lowe, Crolley, Drummond, Struthers, Shirkie, J Malone, Conn, Blair, Curtis. Subs: Waddell, Milligan, Falconer, G Malone, Stewart.