McBookie Ayrshire District League

WHITLETTS VICTORIA 2

ARDEER THISTLE 1

THIS was the proverbial game of two halves. At half-time Whitletts looked to be assured of the points as they led 2-0 with plenty of missed opportunities to have an even greater advantage.

But in the second half it was a complete role reversal with Thistle probably ruing their missed chances that could have at least earned them a point.

Whitletts took the lead in 11 minutes when a run and shot from Jordan Boyd was blocked by Thistle keeper Paul McCann and striker Craig Harvey rolled home from six yards.

Vics upped the ante and took the game to their opponents. Harvey sclaffed a shot wide across goal and then both Boyd and Mbanje Munyaradzi saw their efforts slip wide.

The hosts had goalkeeper Stevie Douglas to thank for keeping that lead in tact when he kept out a Matthew Stevenson drive from 12 yards.

Vics scored again three minutes before the break, it was a moment their normally reliable keeper McCann will want to forget. From the corner of the penalty area, Louis Kerr crossed deep into the goalmouth. But the big goalie uncharacteristically let the ball slip through his hands and it dropped over the line.

The hosts were rocked in the opening minute of the second when Ardeer reduced the leeway. A ball into the box found Stevenson who set up Derek Kennedy who from six yards managed to dig the ball out from under his feet to net.

Ardeer were carrying the greater threat and midway through the half should have equalised when Kennedy picked up the ball inside the box from a throw and from inside the six yards Douglas did enough to block his effort for it to go over the bar. And with 15 minutes remaining the big goalie pushed away a 22 yard- drive by Archie Sewell.

Vics should have wrapped up the points when first Harvey’s shot was parried out by McCann. Boyd’s follow up was blocked on the line and then with the goal at his mercy inside the six-yard box Munyaradzi scooped his shot wide.

Gareth Turner had a great chance for the visitors but his netbound shot was blocked by Isaac Kerr and then Douglas kept out a back post header from Jamie Donnelly.

Ardeer were pressing hard and the Vics' goal had another let escape nine minutes from time after Douglas could only parry a cross ball into the path of Kennedy but with the goal at his mercy from eight yards out he blasted the ball over the crossbar.

The Vics goal had led a charmed life in the second period but in injury-time they were given the deal opportunity to secure all three points when Harvey was barged inside the area leaving referee McAlpine no option but to point to the spot. Harvey took the kick but McCann dived to save Harvey’s weak effort.

WHITLETTS VICTORIA: Douglas; Boyle, Lawrie, I Kerr, Buchanan, Sloan, Munyaradzi (Ogston 85); Boyd, Harvey, L Kerr, Ewart (Milligan 72)

Subs (not used): Ogston, McClung.