Barrhead News | Sport | WE DELIVERED

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 12:00

WE DELIVERED

By Frank Cassidy

Print Article

Neilston 3 Kilsyth 2

NEILSTON moved into third spot in the Super Premier after beating bottom club, Kilsyth Rangers.

This incident-packed match had lots to keep the fans talking, including one manager being red-carded, another coming on as a substitute and one player sent off.

Throw in a candidate for goal of the season and a contender for ‘worst clanger’ by a keeper and it all added up to a good day’s entertainment at the Brig.

Stephen McGowan and Graham Dale had mounted the home side’s first attack after five minutes, but the big full-back’s cross had no takers.

But the first goal came just four minutes later when keeper Greg Mitchell, under no pressure, got into a fankle with his defender, leaving Joe Bryers with the easiest of chances.

Another scrappy goal led to the equaliser in the 16th minute when a goalmouth scramble after a corner saw William Baird squeeze a shot, through a ruck of players, and into the net.

McGowan was posing the most threat to the visitors and only a desperate block by Mitchell’s legs prevented a goal, after an excellent through-ball from Andy Whiteford.

Sean McIllroy then laid off a great ball for McGowan in 26 minutes, but in a double strike, he clattered the post before slamming the rebound past the upright.

A breakaway almost lead to a goal against the run of play five minutes later, but an alert Brian Hewitt came out of goal to block Baird’s attempt.

Then a similar move saw McGowan foiled by Mitchell at the other end, in first-half stoppage time, and the score remained 1-1 as the whistle blew.

John Sheridan almost scored when he got on to the end of a Ricky Gillies cross in the 48th minute, but his header was cleared by a defender.

Paul Harkins then scored a spectacular second for the Farmers’ Boys when he first-timed a Sean McIllroy head-flick following a Whiteford free-kick.

He volleyed the ball from the edge of the penalty-area and it smashed off the underside of the crossbar before hitting the back of the net.

Ricky Gillies put Neilston 3-1 up from the penalty-spot after 64 minutes when a McGowan cross was handled in the box and the three points looked safe.

As frustration boiled over for the Duncansfield side, both striker Gary McStay and manager Matt Coulter were sent off but, as often happens, the remaining men upped a gear.

Suspensions and injuries had led to manager Sammy Johnston, who had named himself as a substitute, replacing Kenny Gillies in 80 minutes.

And although they survived a few nervy moments, a second Kilsyth goal just before the end, when Paddy Donnelly set up Michael Daly, was merely a consolation for the depleted ‘Gers.

Sammy was delighted with the three points and praised the players’ efforts, while declaring his appearance on the park as a ‘one-off’.

He said: “That was just a temporary arrangement today just to make up the numbers, and Kenny had taken a knock, but my playing days are numbered.

“Three points was the objective before the game and although the pitch was heavy, which didn’t conduce to fast flowing football, it meant we were getting stuck in a rut for long spells.

“But several times this season we have played a lot better and came away with nothing — at the end of the day the boys worked hard for the points.”

Although conceding that the performance was maybe not the best, Sammy agreed the ordering-off seemed to galvanise Kilsyth, while his own team relaxed a bit.

He said: “We took our foot of the pedal a bit, while they fought to the bitter end, but our guys had been asked to go out and get three points and they delivered.”

Neilston — Brian Hewitt, John Sheridan, Graham Dale, Gavin Duncan, Andy Whiteford, Kenny Gillies (Sammy Johnston 80), Joe Bryers, Ricky Gillies, Sean McIllroy (Chris Cameron 62), Stephen McGowan, Paul Harkins.

Subs not used — Neil Farqharson, Gary Peebles, Eric Phillips (G/K).

Social Bookmarking What are these?