Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive

Five Star Rovers Prove Their Worth

Ardrossan Winton Rovers 5
New Elgin 1

Citylink Scottish Junior Cup First Round

FIVE STAR Rovers eased into the Second Round draw of the Scottish Junior Cup after their home win in this competition for nine years.

The hosts got off to the best possible start after only three minutes when a mistake by Barry Stewart saw him try to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper. But it was more of a cut back and Keir Milliken nipped in to sidefoot home.

The New Elgin defence were a bit ragged at this stage and Winton continued pressing, but the North side got a goal back in 12 minutes when a mistake in defence saw the ball go for a corner and the in swinging cross was knocked across the goal and Stewart, who was guilty with a mistake for Winton's goal redeemed himself by powering a header high into the net.

The home side were rattled by the equaliser and New Elgin had some pressure at this stage with Burgess getting a shot on target.

Winton restored the lead on 23 minutes when a corner was partially cleared and McAvoy got a good low shot in across the keeper who could only parry the ball and captain Billy Easton was on hand to tap the ball home.

Derek Frye's side were getting some joy down the right channel and on 29 minutes Milliken got on the end of a Wallace cross but Todd saved well.

Winton got a penalty on 43 minutes when Mitchell as guilty of a tackle on McAvoy. The Winton striker got up to take the penalty but Todd saved his shot easily enough.

McAvoy almost made up for missing the penalty on 47 minutes when Milliken did really well to run at the New Elgin defence and set up McAvoy but his shot went wide.

Milliken was proving a thorn in the northerners defence with his energy and skill. Montgomerie almost extended the Winton lead in 55 minutes but his shot was parried then cleared. Steven Todd in the New Elgin goal was proving a bit of a hero for his side keeping the Rovers at bay but at the other end Stevie O'Neill pulled off a brilliant save from one of the visitors few forays up the park on 58 minutes when Alan Turner's shot was tipped onto the bar and the Winton number one got up to deny McGettrick who was following up.

This proved to be a turning point in the game as on 63 minutes a free kick from 35 yards out was fired in by Montgomerie and as Winton went to challenge the ball floated over everyone and nestled in the net.

Graham Muir a minute later sealed the game for the Ardrossan side as he slid in to knock a Milliken cross home from six yards. Winton almost extended the lead on 66 minutes as he ran in on goal but blasted the ball over.

O'Neill looked lively on 72 minutes when he tipped a Stewart free kick past the post. With 11 minutes to go the flow was now one way but Winton weren't taking their chances, summed up when a great cross by McAvoy was met by the head of Scott Adam but the ball went agonisingly past the post. David Wilson headed a corner over the bar on 84 minutes and Adam again went close but was denied by Todd.

Winton went nap when Muir got on the end of a pass on the edge of the box, beat his man and curled a great shot past Todd into the net.

WINTON: O'Neill, Wallace, McCann, Wilson, Easton, Shanks,
Montgomerie, Muir, McAvoy, Adam, Milliken.
Subs: Paton, Patrick, Gray, Murray, McNab.

New Elgin: Todd, J Stewart, Campbell, B Stewart, Mitchell, Hilson,
Burchil, Turner, Burgess, Cooper, McGettrick.
Subs: Robinson, L Wood, Barclay, G Wood, Connelly.

 

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