McBookie Premiership

HURLFORD UNITED 0

KILWINNING RANGERS

Pictures: Ross Mackenzie

BUOYANT Buffs became the first team to defeat Hurlford in the league as they put them to the sword at Blair Park.

Early on the hosts came close when Richie McKillen sent a glancing header just past Adam Strain’s goal

At the other end, a Sam McCloskey strike went over Alistair Brown’s goal. Then Strain pushed away a Ryan Caddis free-kick and at the other end, Michael Wardrope shot wide of target. A Ryan Nisbet effort almost crossed the line before being scrambled to safety.

Hurlford were then reduced to 10 men when Chris Robertson caught Bryan Boylan in the head with high challenge and referee Stephen Brown gave straight red card

From this point on Buffs dominated the match, winning a series of corners at start of the second half

McCloskey's cross-cum shot was then tipped over the bar by Ally Brown.

However Buffs went ahead when David Syme headed powerfully into the net from a Nisbet cross. McCloskey was then given a straight red card for challenge on Paul McKenzie

A Carlo Monti corner was forced home at the back post by Marc McKenzie to make it 2-0. McKenzie beat the keeper shortly after but was harshly judged to be offside.

In the dying seconds McKenzie beat Brown but shot comes back off the post

HURLFORD UNITED: Brown; Hodge, Lidington, McKillen, Robertson, L Caddis, McKenzie, Whittaker, R Caddis, Watt, Hilton. Subs: Robertson, Reilly, Fisher, Byrne, McWatters.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Maitland, McCloskey, Pettigrew, Syme, McGuinness, Monti, Lewis, Boylan, Wardrope, Nisbet. Subs: McLevy, Curragh, McKenzie.