Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Nolan Is Vics' Hat-Trick Hero
| Saltcoats Victoria | 4 |
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 3 |
Stagecoach Ayrshire District League
ALEX Gourlay's Saltcoats side got their League campaign off to a flying start with a hard fought win over derby rivals Winton.
Main contributor was Johnny Nolan who blasted in a hat trick in a nine minute first half spell that put the home side in the driving seat.
However, it was fingernail biting time in the last ten minutes as Rovers came storming forward, but to no avail.
Saltcoats took the lead after 35 minutes when Nolan kept close possession on the edge of the Ardrossan box, turned and rocketed the ball into the top left hand corner.
Three minutes later and the Visitorswere level when a Fraser cut back to Quinn was squared for Graham W Muir to drive into the net.
A minute later Danny Connelly ran in on goal, allowing Nolan to slip the ball under the diving keeper to put home side back in front.
Five minutes later and a hand ball by Stephen Wilson resulted in a penalty for the Seasiders, which Nolan converted.
A rebound from the keeper fell to Elliot, who calmly slotted it square to Montgomerie, who emulated his father who scored on his league debut 26 years ago.
Far from being dead and buried, Winton then found a new lease of life. Clelland beat Harvie and crossed for Graeme Muir to meet at the far post and head home.
Winton kept up the fight into the dying minutes of the match as Robert Gray replaced Mark Bishop but Saltcoats looked out on their feet.
Clelland was amazingly sent off after he clattered Montgomerie with a hard challenge. No doubt it was foul play by Mr Roache may have overdone it showing the red card
Ten man Rovers fought hard and with the last kick of the ball, Fraser bundled the ball home, but it was just not enough.
Saltcoats: Kerr, McKee, Bishop, Lynch, Burgess,
Collins,
Nolan, Forrest, Montgomerie, Harvie, Elliot.
Subs: Syme, Gray, Padden.
WINTON: Robertson, Crawford, Connelly, McCann, Wilson,
Shanks,
G W Muir, Clelland, Quinn, G Muir, Fraser.
Subs: Boothman, McNab, Sloan, Henderson, S Robertson.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.