Ardeer Thistle 0 Hurlford United 3

This was yet another game in which if Ardeer had taken their chances, the scoreline could have been much closer. That being said, the home side almost got off to the worst possible start when with Hurlford had a great chance to score. One of their strikers managed to break free from the Ardeer defence and round the goalkeeper but couldnt finish from a tight angle. The away team did take the lead with twelve minutes played when Davie Richardson was beaten by a high, powerful shot. Lee Munro hit the bar from long range for Ardeer after a corner was half-cleared but it was Hurlford that went two-nil up after 29 minutes. It was all too easy as one of their strikers broke free on the right wing, and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. The third goal came shortly afterwards from a similar area when a shot deflected off the unfortunate Craig Fairbairn and into the net.

Ardeer were very unlucky not to get a goal back after the Hurlford goalkeeper made a right hash of a kick-out and it went straight to Sandy Wylie. He saw his shot agonisingly hit off the post before being cleared off the line before Lee Munro could reach it

There was less action in the second half, but debutant Tommy Maitland (formerly of Irvine Vics u19s) did ok in midfield and the home side again seemed to be short of luck in the final third of the pitch. The next game scheduled is away to fellow strugglers Muirkirk and it should be a real chance for Ardeer to get some long overdue points. Muirkirk were defeated by us 4-3 in a cracker early in the season and will be looking for revenge, but a repeat performance from Ardeer should at least secure a draw.