McBookie Ayrshire District League

ARDEER THISTLE 1

GIRVAN 5

by Matt Speirs

FORM team Girvan moved into second place in the league with a comfortable win over basement side Ardeer Thistle.

Right from the kick off Ardeer made ground on the right and Steven Douglas has to scramble to turn a cross- cum-shot from Jordan Bruce over the bar.

Girvan took control of the match after this and in 11 minutes, an effort from David Cunningham was well saved by home goalie Paul McCann. Seven minutes later McCann again came to Ardeer's rescue with another great save from a Robert Patterson shot.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in 26 minutes when Paul Cameron was bundled down inside the box. The same player dusted himself down to slot home the resultant spot kick. Four minutes later Chris Allan brought out a fine save from McCann but the ball fell to Tony Murphy, who drove it into the net.

Ardeer were awarded a free-kick in 32 minutes but Gareth Armstrong's shot was saved by Steven Douglas.

Then in 37 minutes a Chris Reid cross was netted at the back post by Patterson to give Girvan a three-goal advantage. Two minutes later Ardeer were back in the match when a shot by Ryan Morrow crashed off the bar and Jordan Bruce shot across goal and into the net off the far post.

Girvan swept up the park from the kick off and Paul McCann had to be at his best to turn the ball over for a corner.

Thistle should have reduced the leeway in 44 minutes when Ryan Morrow was through one- on-one with the keeper but his effort drifted wide. Right from the goal kick Girvan swept to the far end and Paul McCann had a fine save from Patterson. But.the ball rebounded to Cameron and again McCann saved well. However Cameron knocked the rebound into the net.

With players tiring in the heavy conditions. goalmouth incidents were few and far between in the second half.

Ardeer kept probing and Douglas had to look smartly to turn an effort from Stephen Reid over the bar 15 minutes from time.

In 86 minutes, Patterson completed the scoring when he picked up a cross and ran through to slot home.

ARDEER THISTLE: McCann; McKay, Nugent, Green, Donnelly, Ramsay, Bruce, Tan, Armstrong, Maxwell, Morrow. Subs: Stephen Reid, Dee, Kean Scott Reid.

GIRVAN: Douglas; Reid, Mossie, Cargill, Danny Cunningham, Dinwoodie, Murphy, Camern,. Allan, Paterson, David Cunningham.Subs: Marshall, Sloan, Nairn, McVittie.