McBookie Premiership

IRVINE MEADOW 1

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY 0

By Stewart McConnell

A GLORIOUS headed goal from former Ayr United defender Neil Slooves saw gritty Meadow edge out struggling Rabs.

They completed a three-game winning run in the Premiership for the second time this season and remain on course for a strong finish in the top flight.

The football at times wasn’t pretty and in what were testing conditions but not the first time this season Meadow were effective and got the job done.

Eddie McTernan had his effort from eight yards deflected wide by the Rob Roy defence in four minutes as Medda began well.

Then two minutes later, a Jared Willet effort from 18 yards was well handled by visiting goalie Mathew Kerr.

Ewan McPherson played a good ball to Scott Walker, but the Meadow defence easily cleared the danger in 15 minutes.

Dangerman McPherson shot well over the bar from 25 yards in 19 minutes.

Medda went close in 27 minutes when Brendan Sharpe saw his eight-yard effort deflected wide by the determined visiting defence.

Andy McLaughlin sent a 22-yard shot high and just wide in 33 minutes as the home side continued to go on the attack.

A strong McTernan header from eight yards glanced narrowly wide in 37 minutes as the hosts aimed to break the deadlock.

The inspirational Sharpe sent a precision pass to McTernan in 42 minutes, but he shot well over the bar.

Three minutes later Sharpe shot across the face of goal from 25 yards.

At the other end in 53 minutes a 25-yard rocket from Jordan Currie-McLean was skilfully tipped away by Paddy O’Neil.

Sharpe had his shot from the edge of the box well saved by Kerr in 62 minutes.

Colin Spence was replaced by Jordan McGuire a minute later as boss Brian McGinty freshened up the side.

Irvine Meadow stormed into the lead in 66 minutes when a superb free-kick from Willet was powerfully headed home at the back post by set-piece specialist Slooves.

A McTernan shot from 12 yards was cleared by a Rabs defender in 77 minutes as Medda kept up the pressure.

In 84 minutes, McTernan made a great run before shooting over the bar from 12 yards.

McTernan went off with a tight hamstring as a precaution in 87 minutes as the hosts comfortably saw the game out.

IRVINE MEADOW: O’Neil: Latta, Willet, Gow, Slooves, Carnwath, McLennan, Sharpe, McTernan Spence, McLaughlin. Subs: McGuire, Woods, McGinty, Miller.