Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Bryce in Bother as Winton Make a Point
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 0 |
| Kilbirnie Ladeside | 0 |
Stagecoach Ayrshire District League
THE sending off of Kilbirnie manager Tommy Bryce from the sidelines was one of the few highlights of this Ayrshire derby match at Ardrossan.
Bryce was sent to the dressing room by referee Andy Tait before half time for dissent after a Kilbirnie "goal" was disallowed by the whistler.
It was a controversial moment in the 22nd minute when Jamie Longworth blocked a kick out by young Winton keeper Robert McGugan and ran on to put the ball in the net.
However, referee Tait who had been near the halfway line - and had no official linesmen - ruled that the ball had crossed the by-line before Longworth scored.
Ladeside who have drawn most of their league games must still be wondering how they did not get on the scoreline.
For example, in the ninth minute James Longworth set up Chris Erskine with only the keeper to beat but he tried a not so clever lob which went wide.
For much of the first half the neat inter linking play of Longworth, Erskine, Davie Anderson and Kevin Struthers gave Kilbirnie the attacking edge but Billy Easton, back in the home defence, had the back four well organised.
Winton danger man Scott Clelland got round the Kilbirnie defence in 35 minutes but keeper O'Neill saved well, and just on half time he held Scott Crawford's free-kick under the bar.
In the opening period of the second half O'Neill was busy, making a diving save from Graham Muir and blocking Brian Taggart. He also dived bravely at the feet of Clelland who was booked for "diving". Gradually Ladeside came back at Rovers whose young keeper Robert McGugan made a fine save from an Erskine free-kick.
Kilbirnie full back Mark Caldwell was unlucky when he ran half of the field, playing a 1-2 with Longworth before beating the keeper but seeing the ball rebound from the bar.
McGugan brought off a spectacular save over the bar from another Erskine effort in the 75th minute of a half spoiled by a strong, swirling wind.
Graham Muir had the ball in the net for Winton in the 80th minute but the keeper had been fouled.
Central defender Alan Shanks was pushed into attack by manager Derek Frye near the end and he could have been a hero but with the goal at his mercy shanked the ball wide of target.
To even things up David Watt did the same at the other end in the final minute. So first league point for Rovers and another draw for Ladeside. Clelland, Easton and Connelly were top men for Winton while Gemmell, Longworth and Erskine were Kilbirnie's best.
WINTON: McGugan, Crawford, Connelly, Shanks, Easton,
V Muir,
Clelland, G Muir, Fraser, Taggart, Quinn.
Subs: Cook, McNab, Robertson, Gray, Padden.
Kilbirnie: O'Neill, Caldwell, McGuinness, Barton, Gemmell,
Smith,
Watt, Anderson, Struthers, Longworth, Erskine.
Subs: Madden, Granaghan, Todd, Harkins.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.