Ardagh Glass League Cup Section Two IRVINE MEADOW 1 HURLFORD UNITED 2 MEDDA suffered another agonising loss against jinx team ‘Ford who defeated them a home league match last season.

Stevie Rankin’s team bossed much of the first half but failed to cash in on their other chances and ultimately paid the price.

However the manager remains encouraged with the progress being made by his side.

While disappointed with the result the boss could take positives from the game and said: “Of course it was disappointing to lose. I felt we played really well in the first half when our ball movement and passing was excellent. But we didn’t do so well in the second half. It was a bad time to lose the goal just after the interval and Hurlford were the better side in the second half.” Early on visiting player Stewart Kean was booked for simulation.

The home side opened strongly and went ahead with a well-worked goal in 14 minutes. Gary McCann, Shaun Fraser and Graham Girvan combined to set up former Queens Park striker Ross McPherson who blasted home a shot from 18 yards to give them the lead.

McPherson has been on great form throughout the pre-season and cup campaign and has been a real find for manager Stevie Rankin.

However ‘Ford looked revitalised following the interval and equalised a minute after the break, Paul McKenzie slamming the ball home from the edge of the box.

The East Ayrshire side then took a grip of the game, putting Meadow under pressure as they went all out for victory.

Their persistence was rewarded five minutes from time when a corner-kick was knocked on by Ritchie McKillen to former Ayr United man Ross Robertson, who hooked the ball home from eight yards.

IRVINE MEADOW: Donnelly; 2 Girvan, Halliday, Darroch, Twaddle, Murch, McCann, Bolton, McPherson. Fraser, Deas. Sub: Hall.

HURLFORD UNITED: A Brown; Fisher, C Robertson, McKillen, Chisholm. McKenzie, Mitchell, McClune, R Robertson, Lamont, Kean. Subs: Byrne, Cochrane, Murchie, Borris.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.