McBookie Super League First Division

GIRVAN 4

IRVINE VICTORIA 0

by Matt Speirs

GIRVAN ran out comfortable winners in the end but were made to work hard early in the second half to contain Irvine Vics.

Early play was pretty even with neither side creating any clearcut chances.

The hosts had a chance to go ahead in the twentieth minute Robert Paterson sent in a nice cross but Jack McDowell headed over the bar.

The opening goal came in 25 minutes when Michael Reilly set up Scott Dinwoodie who shot low into the corner of the net from 20 yards.

Nine minutes later it took a fine save from visiting goalie Chris Lamb to turn away a Robert Paterson shot as the visitors kept pressing.

The lead was doubled when from the resultant corner Steven McCreadie found Jack McDowall in the 18-yard box and his powerful header flew into the net.

The first chance of the second half fell to Girvan in 53 minutes but McDowall's effort was saved by Lamb.

Vics then had their best spell in the game and in 57 minutes an effort from Grant Bolton flew just wide of the post.

Five minutes later Scott Johnson kept his side's two-goal advantage with a fine save to deny David Adam.

Girvan made the points safe in 79 minutes when Mark Doolan set up McDowall who netted with a low shot into the corner of the goal. Five minutes time the scoring was complete when a poor clearance from Lamb found Paterson and he drove the ball into the net.

A minute later it took a fine save by Chris Lamb to deny Paterson a second goal.

Victory keeps Girvan's promotion challenge alive as we approach the business end of the season, however Vics face a huge struggle to stay up with games running out.