All-square as Girvan take point at Valefield

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 0

GIRVAN 0

HONOURS were even in a fiercely contested match which saw three red cards dished out.

In a tight first half, chances were few as Girvan set up to stop Ladeside playing the attacking football of the last two games against Pollok and Beith.

Kilbirnie were dealt an early blow when striker James Finlay limped off in just 11 minutes to be replaced by David Crerand.

The first real chance fell to Girvan but Martin Reilly headed wide. On the half hour Crerand had a good chance to put the home side ahead when Scullion played the ball through for the striker but his shot was saved by Semple before Scullion then fired the rebound just wide of the target.

In 38 minutes Ladeside again came close to going in front when a good run by Gavin Mitchell then set up Jon Scullion in the middle, his shot beat Semple but Cameron was back to clear the ball off the line. Last action of the half saw Hughes make an easy save from a 20 yard shot by Mitchell before Halliday played Williamson up the right but his effort from wide was saved by Semple.

Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men in the opening minute of the second half when John Sweeney was shown a straight red card for a high tackle. A long throw in by Craig Reid into the box was knocked down to Darren Mitchell but his effort went well over.

A minute later Ladeside had a chance from a free-kick 22 yards out but Jon Scullion sent his effort over the wall and just wide of the target. Scullion again came close from a free kick a few minutes later before Anderson had a shot deflected which Ally Semple saved comfortably.

Girvan were then reduced to 10 men in 79 minutes when Steven O'Donnell was shown a straight red card after a lunging tackle on MacKinnon.

Anderson then played Scullion up the left wing but his cross into the middle was headed well over by Williamson.

In 83 minutes Girvan were reduced to nine men when skipper Scott Dinwoodie was shown a second yellow card. Ladeside continued pressing and came close when a ball into the box fell to Crerand who laid the ball back to Peter McGill, but he scooped his effort over the bar from 12 yards out.

In the last five minutes Anderson played a good ball through to Crerand who set up Lafferty but his shot from the edge of the box flew just over. Anderson again was involved when he laid the ball off to Scullion but his 20-yard effort was saved low at his near post by Semple.

The last chance came a minute into added time when a ball forward found Scullion on the edge of the box he laid it off to Crerand who took a touch away from his defender before curling a low shot which came back off the post.

Girvan will be pleased to take a point from a tough away game against a home who side who defeated Pollok in their opening game.

The hosts created a lot of opportunities but couldn't put them away.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: K Hughes; Halliday, Mitchell,Sweeney, Juskowiak, C Hughes, McGill, Anderson, Finlay, Scullion,Williamson. Subs: Crerand, Lafferty, MacKinnon, Bembo, Wilton.

GIRVAN: Semple; Reid, Doolan, Mossie, Cunningham, O'Donnell, Dinwoodie, Cameron, Reilly, Patterson, Mitchell Subs : Hunter, Auld, Cameron, Frame, McDowall.