Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Rampant Rovers
| Irvine Victoria | 0 |
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 4 |
Stagecoach Ayrshire District League
A DOUBLE from midfielder Scott Clelland saw Winton hammer a home side who looked ring-rusty following three weeks without a game
The Westenders got off to the worst possible start, conceding two early goals and only several good saves from John Cherry kept the score down.
Sanny McAnespies's men created several good chances and were also twice denied by the woodwork.
Vics found themselves two down inside only four minutes. The first goal came in a minute courtesy of some slack marking that allowed Ross Fraser to slip the ball into the path of Clelland who made no mistake inside the box. Three minutes later the entire home defence was posted missing allowing Mark McCann to score.
A Bryan Taggart long range effort was inches over in nine minutes and at the other end in 20 minutes visiting keeper Robert McGoogan spilt a cross but Billy Easton cleared the danger. Clelland was in on goal six minutes later after a mix up between Gary Seymour and Cherry, the attack ended with Stuart Little making a goal line clearance.
Winton were carving through the home defence like a hot knife through butter and in 27 minutes Cherry produced a great save to thwart Clelland, a minute later Alan Shanks was clean through but shot into the side netting.
Irvine's first real chance came in 29 minutes when a Keith Graham cross was headed back into the danger area where Lee Duncan was quickest to react. Hius effort had the keeper beaten but it struck the inside of the post before Winton cleared their lines. Rab Madden should have got his side back into the game in 34 minutes but shot wide when he should have done better.
John Cherry made another fabulous stop to deny Ross Fraser in 35 minutes and the keeper dived at the feet of an advancing Sean Quinn in 40 minutes. The final chance of the first half fell to the Westenders when McGoogan spilt a cross before a defender blocked Keith Graham's goal bound effort. Irvine were dealt a huge blow when Cherry had to be replaced after picking up an injury, Martin McLeod took his place.
However, Vics came so close to getting back into the game two minutes after the restart. Graham burst into the box and it was the legs of McGoogan that denied him.
The game was over in 53 minutes when Winton took a three goal advantage. McLeod fumbled what seemed an easy ball to catch and Ross Fraser took full advantage. The keeper then came for a cross three minutes later, but was nowhere near it and Little made another goal line clearance. The hosts brought on Gary McGrath, who made an instant difference, testing McGoogan with a vicious strike in 58 minutes. The Irvine player was quickest to react in a packed goalmouth on the hour mark but Winton keeper made a great save to deny him.
The westenders should have got a goal back three minutes later when Duncan had the simplest of tasks of tapping home from close range, but somehow failed to make contact and the chance was lost.
Duncan spurned another great opportunity in 65 minutes, this time he headed wide when he should have scored. A minute later Graham had an empty net at his mercy after rounding McGoogan but tried to blast it home and hit the post. Irvine had a penalty claim turned down in 77 minutes when Easton appeared to be pulling at Duncan's jersey inside the box.
Winton scored again in 78 minutes when what seemed like a very easy shot to keep out from Clelland wnet right through McLeod's hands into the back of the net. The last chance of the game fell to Fraser with eight minutes left, but this time the substitute keeper managed to make the save.
Irvine Victoria: Cherry, Timony, McAnespie, Seymour, McIntosh,
Taylor,
Russell, Graham, Duncan, Madden, Little.
Subs: McGrath, Dunlop, Keenan, McLeod.
WINTON: McGoogan, Robertson, Taggart, Crawford, Easton,
McCann,
Clelland, Shanks, Fraser, Frye, Quinn.
Subs: McNab, Gray, Cook, Connelly.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.