Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Stone Killers
| Stonehouse Violet | 2 |
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 3 |
Whyte & MacKay West of Scotland Cup - Round 2
INSPIRED Winton Rovers overcome a side who were heavily favoured by the bookies to defeat them to post their best victory of the season so far and advance to the last 16 of the Junior game's second biggest cup competition.
Derek Frye's side, who were rated at a tempting 7-4 to win the tie against a home side who were priced at 8-11 forged into a 3-1 lead and withstood a determined fightback from the Lanarkshire hosts.
The first 20 minutes saw Stonehouse Violet on top as they hit the post twice and the bar once.
However, against the run of play Winton, who had seen off Glasgow Perthsire in the opening round, went ahead in 25 minutes when a corner kick from Sean Quinn was headed home from six yards out by Billy Easton.
But 10 minutes later Stonehouse broke away, MCluskey netting after rounding Robert McGoogan and netting low into the bottom corner of the net.
Then in 43 minutes a cross from Bryan Taggart was headed across goal by Scott Clelland and Graham Muir sent an overhead kick from six yards into the the bottom corner to restore the Ardrossan side's lead.
The second half saw a lot of the play confined to midfield with few chances created.
However there was drama in 70 minutes when Ross Fraser turned in the box and was brought down with Quinn sending the penalty kick low to the keeper's right and into the net to give the visitor's a 3-1 lead.
A lifeline was grabbed by Stonehouse 10 minutes when McCluskey stepped inside Easton and fired low into the corner at the goalkeeper's left.
McGoogan then made two excellent saves to thwart dangerous home player Bell in the closing stages as Winton held on for an excellent win.
WINTON: McGoogan, Crawford, McCann, Connelly, Easton,
Muir,
Clelland, Shanks, Fraser, Taggart, Quinn.
Subs: McNab, Robertson, Henderson, Padden, Gray.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.