IT took a lot of hard work by the Rovers groundsman to ensure this game went ahead after Hurlford requested that the game be switched to Winton Park to ensure that they had a game before this weekend’s Scottish Junior Cup Quarter-Final.

Although a bit soft in places the pitch stood up well and this game was one of the very few played in the west at the weekend. Incredibly this was Rovers’ first home game since January 18 and only the second match since then.

Winton struggled throughout this game against their Premier Division opponents and for only the second time this season failed to score in a match.

Hurlford’s first real chance came in the 2nd minute when a long ball into the box came to Steele but he shot well over the bar. It was 1-0 five minutes later though when an unmarked Mitchell headed home a corner from the right at the near post.

On 15 minutes Winton had their first real opportunity when recent signing Paul Weaver played a good ball out to the left to Lee McCrea who ran on and shot from just outside the box but the ball went wide of the far post, A couple of minutes later Michael Wardrope had to make a good save following a flowing attack by ‘Ford. It was 2-0 in 27 minutes when the Winton defence failed to clear a long throw – in from the right and the ball broke to Kean who scored with a spectacular overhead kick at the near post.

Rovers then replaced McCrea with another recent signing Ross Campbell, from Ayr United, who took over at left back. This allowed Mark Murray to replace McCrea in midfield.

‘Ford extended their lead in 35 minutes after the defence failed to clear a corner on the left and Wardrope’s punched clearance found its way to McGregor. Although the keeper did well to block his initial shot Robertson was quickest to the loose ball to force it over the line from close range.

The last five minutes of the half saw three good half chances for Winton come to nothing after some good play, with efforts from Jared Willet and two from Ian Cashmore being saved or blocked, After a chance for United on 48 minutes Winton had their best spell. On 52 minutes some good play down the right by Weaver, Callum Walsh and Jared Willet saw a good shot from Walsh deflected for a corner.

On 56 minutes Joe Young played a Willet cross from the right back to Ben Carson on the edge of the box and his shot went narrowly past the right post. On the hour Rovers won a free-kick 25 yards out following a foul on Joe Young. Ben Carson’s great curling setpiece was turned round the post by Brown in the Hurlford goal as Winton put on the pressure.

It was however ‘Ford who extended their lead when the defence were unable to clear a shot, after a good passing move by the visitors inside the box, was blocked by Wardrope. But the ball came to Patterson who fired home from about 15 yards for 4-0. A minute later it took another good save from the Winton keeper to deny United a fifth.

Rovers then made two changes, with Sean Hainey replacing Ian Cashmore, who had taken a few knocks, on 65 minutes and Stuart Wilson coming on for Walsh eight minutes later.

Hurlford made it 5-0 with 10 minutes to go when Kean dispossessed Hainey out on the left and crossed into the box. Although Wardrope blocked Robertson’s initial shot the ball broke to substitute Dempster who scored from 10 yards.

With three minutes remaining Dempster rounded off the scoring from close range.

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS: Wardrope; Walsh, Murray, Hay, Bonner, Carson, Willet, Weaver, Cashmore, Young and McCrea. Subs – Wilson, Walker, Campbell, Hainey, Biggart.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.