Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive

Penalty Shootout was a winner for Winton

Ardrossan Winton Rovers	1
Irvine Victoria	1
Ardrossan Winton Rovers won 6-5 on penalties

North Ayrshire Cup Final

GOALKEEPER Stevie O'Neill was saint turned sinner for Winton as he missed a penalty before saving two in a nerve jangling shootout at chilly Winton Park on Monday night to edge out battling Vics and help his side retain the North Ayrshire Cup.

Later he admitted the key to victory was knowing exactly where former team mate Gary Madden would place his spot-kick.

O'Neill who also kept out Gareth Timoney's effort said afterwards: "I a team mate of Gary's at Arthurlie and I knew how he placed his penalties so I was surprised he hadn't changed. It was great to hold on to the cup and I would have preferred it if the big guns had been in the competition but you can beat what is in front of you."

Added goalscorer Scott Adam: "We didn't play nearly as well as we could but Stevie O'Neill helped win it for us. Hopefully we can use this as a springboard for promotion next season"

Winton took the lead with virtually the first move of the game in three minutes as Scott Adam outjumped the visiting defence to powerfully head home Colin Frye's cross from eight yards. Barely a minute later they had a chance to double their advantage but Frye headed just over the bar from six yards.

Determined Vics hit back and in nine minutes Gary McGrath shot narrowly past the post from 14 yards before a minute later, Gareth Timoney sent a 10 yard effort narrowly wide of the target. The holders had another opportunity in 18 minutes but Stephen McAvoy sent a shot from eight yards just wide. Then visiting keeper Scott Gilmour confidently clutched Frye's cross-cum shot in 25 minutes.

Winton were awarded a penalty kick two minutes later as Scott Adam was adjudged to have been tripped by a visiting defender. However Scott Gilmour dived to save Graeme Patterson's spot kick. Vics then came close in 33 minutes as a Darryl Boyd 20 yard effort was deflected wide. But three minutes later Vics were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Blair Gilmour outjumped the home defence to brilliantly head home Boyd's setpiece.

Then four minutes from half time Boyd's inswinging cross from 25 yards was handled well by O'Neill.

Eight minutes after the break Keir Milliken made a darting run but had a shot blocked by defender. However two minutes later Vics had a goalden chance to seize the lead but Ewan Robertson's initial shot was blocked and the same player knocked the rebound wide from close range. As Vics enjoyed a good spell, Boyd sliced wide from 18 yards two minutes later. A 20 yard rocket from McGrath was skilfully tipped over the bar by the alert O'Neill in 59 minutes before a minute later goalscorer Gilmour's header was scrambled wide.

Scott Hayes then blasted over the bar from 10 yards with only O'Neill to beat six minutes later.

Keeper Gilmour then dived to save at the feet of McAvoy in 69 minutes and Adam had a shot from 10 yards confidently saved by the Vics number one as play moved from end to end. Five minutes from time home substitute Gary Davidson sent a free kick from the edge of the box over the bar as we headed into the shootout.

Each side converted their first four kicks with McAdam, Frye, Adam and Davidson netting for Winton and Boyd, McGrath, Robertson and B Gilmour converting for Vics. However O'Neill opted to take a penalty for Winton but Gilmour was equal to his effort. However he responded immediately by saving Gary Madden's effort to square it and Jamie Paton netted for Winton with Barry Taylor scoring for Vics.

Paul Monan made it 6-5 for Winton before O'Neill denied Timoney and joyous scenes erupted among home players and fans with Vics left to reflect on what might have been.

WINTON: O'Neill, Wilson, Milliken, Brown, Easton, Muir,
Patterson, Frye, McAvoy, Adam, Gallagher.
Subs: Monan, Davidson, Shanks, Paton.

Irvine Victoria: S Gilmour, Hayes, Taylor, Boyd, Smith, B Gilmour,
McIntosh, Timoney, McGrath, Robertson.
Subs: Little, White, Madden, Love.

This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.