6 Aug 2008 - Opening day defeat at Dalry
Wednesday 6th August 2008 Ardagh Cup Section 1
Dalry 3 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Dalry produced an electric start in this game to catch Winton cold with three goals in the first 20 minutes. The result could have hinged on the dismissal of Dalry keeper William Rankin, sent off after denying a goal scoring opportunity, but Winton couldn’t take full advantage and were left pointless.
However, the Winton did produce the first chance in the game
in 4 minutes when McAvoy was put through one on one with Rankin but the Dalry
keeper blocked well. Thistle went up the park and opened the scoring when
Stewart initially pulled off a good stop from a fiercely struck shot but the
loose ball fell kindly to Alan Duncan who drilled the ball home. Five minutes later a ball in behind the
Rovers defence looked to be going out but Scott Brown nipped in at the back
post to tuck the ball home to make it 2 – 0. Winton were just not at the races
as Dalry were on top and
Winton re – grouped after this and put together a decent passing move in 37 minutes when Colin Frye got one on one with Rankin, tried to go round him but the keeper took his legs away and the referee was left with little option but to award the penalty kick and dismiss the home side’s keeper. In stepped centre half Cameron McKinnell to don the gloves but his first action was to pick the ball out of the net as Frye clinically dispatched the spot kick. McKinnell then began to show some good shot stopping skills denying Reid and McAvoy before the interval. Just after the interval, 10 man Dalry were on the attack immediately when a cut back on the right was fired just over by McKnight. On 54 minutes Winton passed up a good chance when a cut back from the left came to Paton who’s shot was again blocked by McKinnell. The game settled into a pattern which saw Winton having tons of possession but no decisive final ball and Dalry looking very dangerous on the break. Winton pushed and pushed Dalry back but only after a total mix up at the back between Rodgers and McKinnell saw the ball fall to Reid who rolled it home on 77 minutes. The Dalry defenders defended as if their lives depended on it blocking efforts from Winton and packing their defence as Winton ran out of ideas and Dalry picked up a welcomed early season boost.
Dalry Thistle
Rankin, Rodgers,
Subs Rae, O’Mally, Fleeting, Sanderson, Crawford
Winton
Stewart, Paton, Milliken,
Subs Monan, Patterson, Adam
Ref C.Wake