McBookie Ayrshire District League

MAYBOLE 1

DARVEL 3

by Matt Speirs

DARVEL picked up the league championship at Ladywell Stadium against a Maybole side who were short of both their regular strikers and another two players.

Now the visitors will be playing in the Super League for the first time in their history next season.

Maybole battled hard but were no match for the East Ayrshire side, who had so much at stake and were up for the game.

In saying that the home side have chalked up some good results, including a win away to Winton Rovers, and look to be headed in the right direction for next season.

With one or two additions to the squad, they could challenge at the top end of the league.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Murray Johnston netted at the back post.

The lead was doubled in 20 minutes when a corner was headed home by Callum Walsh.

Dillon Dunn had a shot on the turn in 31 minutes saved by David Markey in the Darvel goal.

Darvel had a chance in 35 minutes, but Callum Walsh headed the ball straight at goalkeeper Elliott Masterson.

Two minutes later James Cuthbertson headed a free-kick from an Aiden Conner corner-kick wide of target.

Two minutes from the interval home player Tommy Sloan sent a 20-yard shot just wide.

Right on the interval Jordan Ryan had a chance for Darvel but shot wide from six yards.

Maybole got off to the best possible start to the second half when a cross from Adam Caldwell found Dunn, who smashed the ball into the net.

Five minutes later Maybole's Craig Brown drove the ball just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

Darvel regained their two-goal cushion in 58 minutes, Johnston netting a cross from Jordan Ryan.

Maybole came close to reducing the deficit in 71 minutes, but Markey turned Craig Brown's effort over the bar as the visitors prepared to celebrate their achievement.