McBookie Super League First Division

IRVINE VICTORIA 0

PETERSHILL 1

VICS went into this game knowing relegation is almost certainly on the cards.

However they began well and Andy Neil was slightly short with a back pass to JC Hutchison in two minutes and he was caught in possession by Eddie Ablohr as he tried to dribble clear, but Donaldson hammered the loose ball to safety.

Vics continued to be the more likely side to score as Glencairn struggled to get any form of controlled possession, and Jordan Craig's free-kick flew over the bar before the referee gave them a second chance, with Callum Davidson's curled effort blocked by the defensive wall.

Glencairn came close when McKay's diagonal cross from the left picked out the Hall who headed wide.

McNab tried a speculative effort from distance and saw home goalie Chris Lamb off his line, but the dipping effort dropped a couple of yards wide.

Then McNab tested Lamb again in 21 minutes as his cross towards Fraser Team was initially held by the stopper, then he juggled it a few times, before recovering.

Team almost pounced on a short pass back in 23 minutes, but could only block Lamb's kick and the ball flew well off target.

There was a reminder of The Vics' threat as the ball broke on the edge of the penalty area to Callum Davidson and he fired narrowly wide. Moments later Sean Mears got in behind Hall on the left and his low cross was volleyed wide by David Adams.

However in 36 minutes Hamilton's short corner was returned to him by Hunter. The ball bounced up off the surface, but Hamilton controlled it on the chest, before volleying the ball across the face of goal where Jay McKay had escaped his marker to dive in and head home.

Just after the break, McKay's clever turn and pass almost set up Team, denied only by a fine defensive interception by experienced campaigner Bryan Slavin.

Glencairn's defence continued standing strong as Neil and Donaldson made important blocks to keep out Ablorh on the edge of the penalty area.

Hamilton drilled a 25-yard free-kick past the defensive wall in 59 minutes but Lamb held the ball after an initial slight fumble.

The Vics upped their game slightly as the mid-point of the second half arrived, and a vital blocking tackle by Muir denied Kevin Adam the chance to shoot.

The pace of Ablorh seemed like the only way Vics were going to harm the Glens' defence, and in 71 minutes a long clearance saw the ball spin in behind the defence, but a combination of a fine save by Hutchison and last-ditch tackles by Docherty and Neil somehow kept the hosts at bay.

Ablorh should have done better than shooting tamely straight at Hutchison in 79 minutes.

Vics substitute Ryan Singleton's appearance lasted only two minutes as he turned his ankle almost immediately after coming on, and he was replaced Keiran Hollis.

Irvine Victoria :- Lamb, Young, Slavin, Longair, Bonner, Craig, Ablorh, Davidson, Adam, Adams (Singleton (Hollis)), Mears. Subs not used: Hambelton, Scott.