McBookie Super League First Division

KILWINNING RANGERS 0

ARTHURLIE 1

Report and Pictures by Robert Burns

ARTHURLIE gained revenge for two defeats at the hands of the Buffs this season as they edged out Chris Strain's struggling hosts.

Arthurlie started well and went ahead in only five minutes, Michael Fulton showing great skill before spotting Graham Girvan rampaging down the right wing. Girvan steadied himself before sending over a fantastic cross which Eddie McTernan headed home.

The hosts had the bulk of possession in the opening half without actually creating anything of note, the closest they came was after 17 minutes when a long ball from Findlay Frye saw Grant Hay race from his area to get to the ball before new Buffs signing Darren Moffat..

Just before the half hour a Kilwinning attack broke down and Arthurlie sped up the park, McTernan fed the ball inside to Gary Carroll who held off his marker before setting Fulton free on the right, the recent signing skipped past two defenders but seemed caught in two minds where to shoot or cross and did neither as the ball trundled harmlessly into the arms of home goalie Adam Strain.

Kilwinning didn’t have their first sight of the Arthurlie goal until 37 minutes a long hopeful ball split the 'Lie defence in two, allowing Hogg to race through but Hay saved well.

The half was almost over when Carroll had a chance to double Arthurlie’s lead, when he raced in on goal and looked to be fouled but stayed on his feet before forcing Strain into a decent save.

Ten minutes after the restart Arthurlie doubled their advantage. Fulton found space to release McTernan who crossed for Carroll to nod home.

Carroll looked to have been fouled inside the area 12 minutes later, a view that was shared by the assistant referee but the man in the middle, Stephen Brown, thought differently and awarded a bye-kick to the hosts. Then in 70 minutes, Deas showed great close control to drift past two defenders before testing Strain from the edge of the area.

Kenny Hogg pulled a goal back for the home side.

However Kilwinning didn’t really threaten as much as they should have given the possession they enjoyed at times.

Ben Lewis forced a decent save from Hay and with two minutes remaining, there was still one last chance for the hosts when McGregor’s clearance fell to Joe Coleman who fired it back into the mix but McGregor was there again to clear the danger.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Coleman, McCloskey, Kerr, Maitland, Frye, Moffat, McGuinness, Cashmore, Lewis, Hogg. Subs: Fleeting, Monti, Burns, Haney.