Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Winton's Hope of Cup Glory Dashed
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 0 |
| Neilston Juniors | 5 |
Citylink Scottish Junior Cup Third Round
WINTON exited the Scottish Junior Cup yielding five goals to their higher league opponents although the scoreline probably flattered the visitors as Derek Frye's men put in a gutsy display but never got the breaks they merited.
The park was heavy and passed an early morning inspection but the opening period wasn't a great advert for the game as there was little of note happening.
A John Sheridan header from the edge of the box on 20 minutes was the nearest opportunity for Neilston and Winton's Colin Frye had an effort from distance but he was off balance when the ball was struck and it went harmlessly wide.
David Wilson came up from right back and almost got in but his effort went past the near post. In 36 minutes ex-Irvine Vics man Sean McIlroy passed up the best chance of the half when a swirling ball into the box saw the striker get a downwards header but without too much power and Stevie O'Neill saved at the near post.
Harkins was proving more influential in the game and on 40 minutes he struck a low effort just past the post as the visitors pushed the home team back.
In first half injury time Neilston got the all important opening goal and it was down to McGowan wriggling clear of the Winton defence and sliding a ball through to Harkins who scored from 12 yards.
Winton tried to get back into the game in the second half and on 52 minutes a Scott Adam head flick was met by Sean Quinn but he shot wide.
The Farmer Boyswent 2-0 up on 55 minutes and after what looked like an infringement on a Rovers striker was waved on, a similar foul on McGowan was blown for 35 yards out. Graham Dale stepped up and hit a magnificent free kick over the wall and high into the net, giving O'Neill no chance.
Neilston made it 3-0 on 68 minutes when McIlroy slid the ball down the left channel for Harkins to score his second, rolling the ball under the advancing Winton keeper. Rovers had a great move on 73 minutes when McAvoy was sent through on goal and saw his strike from the edge of the box tipped past the post by Hewitt.
Winton went 4-0 down on 83 minutes when a brilliant save by O'Neill saw him deny Ross Currie but the ball, instead of going out for a corner, fell at the feet of McIlroy who tapped in with ease.
Winton showed a worthy 'never say die' spirit in this game and from the restart after this goal, Wilson had pushed up as an extra striker and came close with a header. In 89 minutes a sweeping move down the right saw McAvoy set up Montgomerie and he hit a cracking strike that was deflected for a corner and from the setpiece Quinn saw another effort blocked by the Neilston defence.
Into stoppage time and as the game was being stretched Neilston made it nap when McIlroy went clear on the left and a cross ball was nodded home by McKee.
WINTON: O'Neill, Wilson, McCann, Brown, Easton,
Muir,
Paton, Frye, McAvoy, Adam, Quinn.
Subs: Wallace, Shanks, Milliken, Montgomerie, Gray.
Neilston: Hewitt, Farquharson, Dale, Duncan, Whiteford,
Sheridan,
Bryers, Cameron, McIlroy, McGowan, Harkins.
Subs: Currie, McKee, Peebles, Phillips.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.