Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Hi, Ho Silver … As Winton Upset the Cup Odds
Deflated Buffs are Frye-d!
Overjoyed Ardrossan Winton rovers skipper Stevie O'Neill was basking in glory as he lifted the club's first piece of silverware in 14 years last Wednesday (13 June 2007) night at Meadow Park and then set his sight on a push for promotion next season.
Goalkeeper O'Neill (31) was in immense form in the second half as Winton won the North Ayrshire Cup with a 3-1 victory against red hot trophy favourites Kilwinning Rangers at Meadow Park.
And later, the big former Stranraer and Kilbirnie Ladeside keeper, who joined from the Garnock Valley club earlier this season and has signed up already for next term, praised the players for their efforts.
He said: "We really deserved to win tonight and while I was pleased with my performance it was a great team effort. Now our aim is to try and get promotion to the Super First Division next season. Derek Frye is an excellent manager and hopefully we can add experience to the squad in time for next season."
Frye, celebrating his first trophy success as a manager in only his second season at Winton Park said: "The lads deserve their success, we competed really well and took our chances."
"But this win is not all about Derek Frye, it's for everyone at the club, from the committee to all the players and I hope to add experience in time for next season although I am making no predictions about that at the moment."
Scott Adam, who gave Winton an early lead said: "It was great to get a goal so early on and I was pleased with the strike. We deserved the win and the lads were well up for the game."
Davie Wilson, who bagged the second goal but later went off with a foot injury and is in his first season after signing up from Super Premier Division side Bellshill Athletic said: "I knew I was struggling a bit but decided I would keep on playing for a bit and Sean Quinn delivered a great corner kick which I headed home. We had been confident of victory, having had Kilwinning Rangers watched in the semi final."
Third goalscorer Ray Montgomerie Jnr, son of former Tennent's Scottish Cup winning captain and Saltcoats Victoria chairman Ray, said: "It was great to score in a final and my dad was watching the game. I won the West of Scotland Cup and West of Scotland League and got to the semi finals of the Scottish Cup with the Winton Rovers Under 19's, so it has been a great season."
Meanwhile Frye admitted his disappointment in losing top goalscorer Stephen McAvoy, who has left to join derby rivals Saltcoats Victoria. He said: "Stephen has done well for us and it's a pity we are losing him but we wish him all the best. I hope to bring someone else in although Scott Adam has been doing well upfront."
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.