Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Beaten by Ten Men
| Troon | 1 |
| Ardrossan Winton Rovers | 0 |
Stagecoach Ayrshire League
IT was a desperately disappointing afternoon for those in Winton colours as Troon did the double and picked up the three points despite playing most of the game with 10 men.
Winton were on the charge from the kick off and their first real chance came in five mintues when Graham Muir sent Milliken free on the left and he ran in on goal but shot high and wide of the mark.
After eight minutes another good chance fell to Rovers when Hamilton was sent clear this time and he managed to force a decent save from Darren Johnson.
After 10 minutes another chance was created when Hamilton crossed for John Gallagher to set up Gilmour who skewed his shot wide.
The main talking point of the game came in 15 minutes when Milliken sent in a cross to Gallgher and his shot was blocked by Carlo Walker with his hands although it did look as if he was trying to protect his face. However referee Craig Winning sent the veteran off and awarded Rovers a spot kick.
Gallgher then stepped up but sent his shot over the bar.
Winton were still going at Troon and debutant Garreth Armstrong suprisingly freed by Cumnock during the week, did get the ball in the net on 32 minutes but the effort was chalked off for offside.
Troon managed to the only goal of the game just before half time when Hanvey's cross was met by Gary Robertson who tried an overhead kick, mishit the ball but it had enough on it to trundle in off the post.
Yet Winton could have nicked a goal just after this when a poorly hit corner went low but right across the Troon goal with no takers for Rovers.
Troon opened the second half with couple of corners and Baillie got a header in that Stewart blocked with his chest. John Rae then had an effort on 56 minutes but there was no real power behind his shot.
Winton huffed and puffed but struggled to get behind the Troon defence, ably marshalled by Baillie and at times you wondered who had the 10 men in this game as Winton struggled to find any space.
Winton lived dangerously at times and Abbot almost set up Samson with a nice cut back but McGrath showed his class, slid in to clear the danger on 67 minutes.
Robertson should have wrapped the game up in 70 minutes when Samson got clear on the left and set up his team mate who took too long to get a shot in and Stewart saved with his legs to send the ball out for a corner, with Baillie almost getting a goal from a header from this setpiece.
On 80 minutes Winton were denied what was surely a stonewall penalty as he turned in the box and then got clattered but the ref amazingly waved play on. This raised the temperature of the game up a notch or two as the cards started to be produced.
Winton did try to get the equaliser but Mark Murray's free-kick was well held by Johnson and then John Rae walked for a second yellow card in injury time followed closely by Murray for comments to the referee.
WINTON: Stewart, Wilson, Jones, Muir, McGrath,
Rae,
Gilmour, Gallagher, Armstrong, Hamilon, Milliken.
Subs: McGeady, Breen, Paton, Reid, Murray, Ireland.
This match report has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.