Kilwinning Rangers manager Chris Strain says he was delighted to end the year on a win as his side beat Auchinleck Talbot 1-0 at the weekend.
The Buffs went into the game looking to get back to winning ways in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Premier Division, having drawn 2-2 with Troon in their last league match.
They did go into the game in good form however, having comprehensively beaten Royal Albert 5-0 in the WoSFL cup a fortnight ago.
Their opponents did not have the same luck in the cup competition however, bowing out at the First Round after a 1-0 loss to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.
So Tommy Sloan’s men travelled to Buffs Park looking for return to their usual winning ways and maintain their place at the top of the table.
But it was the hosts who picked up the win, with the only goal of the game coming in the second half.
It came when the referee judged a Bot player to have handled the ball in the box.
Up stepped Ricky Hanvey who saw his effort saved well to his left by Andy Leishman.
However, he tucked away the rebound to send Talbot to their second successive defeat, with Strain thrilled to end the winter break on a win.
Speaking to Kilwinning Rangers TV he said: “It was a good victory for us and a good three points.
“I am happy to end the year on a high note at home.”
Kilwinning Rangers goalkeeper Jamie Barclay kept his second successive clean sheet in the win and produced a number of key saves throughout the match.
Despite his heroics, he was humble about his own performance as he praised the Buff’s defensive performance as a team.
Barclay said:”I was just doing my job.
“I wouldn’t say they were any particular saves in there that were outstanding or excellent.
“They were just saves I needed to make at the right time...but because of the magnitude of the game it feels a bit better because it was only 1-0.
“It is another clean sheet against a top team...and we are happy with that as a unit.”
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