Winton Rovers 4 Ardeer Thistle 2

Ardeer started brightly at Winton Park and took the lead with only two minutes on the clock when Greg Kean got on the end of Scott Reids pass/shot to score his first goal of the season. Unfortunately, a mini collapse within the first half soon derailed Ardeers chances of victory. Winton Rovers were 3-1 by the 36th minute, with the goals coming from Graham Muir, John Gallagher and Scott Adam. Despite the Winton being the more impressive team during this part of the game, Ardeer may have a right to be aggrieved about a couple of goals being allowed as there was a suspicion of offside attached to the first and second.

Being two goals down at the interval, Ardeer had to press for an early second half goal and achieved this in the 50th minute after some good work on the right wing, Sandy Wylie's cross was deflected into the net by an opposition defender. Unfortunately, Winton Rovers re-established their two goal advantage seven minutes later when some slack defending left Graeme Hamilton with an easy chance to make it 4-2 and he made no mistake.

From that point onwards, Ardeer dominated the game with most of the attacks coming from the left wing through Greg Kean, who had a great game and caused the Winton right-back no end of problems throughout. A deep cross from the left was met by the head of Craig Little, who headed narrowly wide. Darren Quinn had the ball in the net twice but was adjudged by the referee to be offside on both occasions. With time running out to score, Ardeer were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute. Captain Graeme Patterson stepped up and placed his effort to the goalkeepers left but it was touched wide for a corne

Overall, a battling away defeat to a team placed 2nd in the league isnt a terrible result. Despite suffering defeat again, it was another improved performance from Ardeer and with a bit of luck, results should hopefully pick up soon. We were scheduled to play Saltcoats Vics on the 14th but as they have to replay their Scottish Cup fixture against Nairn St. Ninian, a free weekend was anticipated. However, it now looks like we have a home fixture against Lugar Boswell Thistle instead.