McBookie Ayrshire District League

ARDEER THISTLE 4

WHITLETTS VICTORIA 2

WHITLETTS' promotion ambitions were dealt a severe blow as Ardeer completed the league double over the Ayr side this season.

Having defeated Vics at their Dam Park home a fortnight earlier, Ardeer repeated the dose on their own patch and showing the desire and team spirit, deserved to take the spoils.

However despite this setback, the Ayr side's promotion hopes are still very much in their own hands but they must aim to win their last five league fixtures, including home games against promotion rivals Ardrossan and Kello.

There is no more room for error.

The game was very open from kick-off with Darren Baird getting on the end of Munya Mbanje’s cross but his header flew over.

At the other end Lee Munro had the opportunity to give the home side a third minute lead only to be denied by Ally McInnes.

For the first half hour, Whitletts were having the better of the play and should have been in front when Baird curled a shot wide from the edge of the box

Black was then denied by a last ditch challenge inside the box as the midfielder seemed set to score while in 20 minutes, Baird got on the end of a Mbanje through ball but lofted the ball over the bar. Tony Balfour was denied as another last-ditch clearance prevented him getting on the end of a Black cut back from the byeline

Impressive Thistle striker David Henry created an opening for the hosts when he turned Danny Cunningham inside the box but could only shoot straight at McInnes while for Vics, Mbanje’s shot from the edge of the area flew just wide.

The game was turned on its head in 36 minutes as the Vics defence failed to deal with a free-kick into the box and as Lee Munro looked to take advantage he was tripped by Black and referee Liam Butler pointed to the spot, with Ryan Morrow beating McInnes.

Before Vics could re-group, they were 2-0 down as Morrow took advantage of some slack play and drilled a 20-yard shot past McInnes.

Whitletts were rocked but reduced the leeway in 41 minutes. After Louis Kerr was brought down by Scott Reid inside the area, Tony Balfour dispatched the penalty past Paul McCann.

But right on half-time, Ardeer restored their two goal advantage. As Black dallied with a clearance, the ball broke kindly for Munro to fire past McInnes from close range

Whitletts had it all to do in the second half and in the opening minute Balfour laid a Mbanje cross off for Cameron who fired inches wide.

But any hopes Whitletts had of getting back into the game were ended in 54 minutes. A superb move down the right was started and ended by Henry who bulleted a header past McInnes into the top corner.

Munro was unlucky with a cheeky back-heel and then after McInnes tipped a drive from the edge of the area round the post and from the resulting corner the Whitletts number one tipped Henry’s header onto the crossbar.

Jordan Bruce then headed a Munro cross into the side netting.

Vics were given late hope six minutes from time after they were a awarded a controversial second penalty after the referee adjudged a handball by Bruce just inside the area to be deliberate. Kennedy netted the rebound after McCann had save his initial spot kick.

The game erupted right on full-time when Mbanje retaliated to a scything challenge from Thistle’s Archie Sewell. In the melee that followed, Mbanje was shown a straight red card, while amazingly Sewell received no punishment for his initial challenge.

Ardeer thoroughly deserved their victory.

WHITLETTS VICTORIA: McInnes; Anderson, Ewart, Kirkland, Cunningham, L Kerr (K Kerr 67); Mbanje, Black, Baird (Kennedy 57); Cameron, Balfour (Boyd 81). Subs (not used): Boyle, Buchanan.