Barrhead News | Sport | Neilston shot down

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 3rd April, 2008 12:00

Neilston shot down

Print Article

Shotts 3 Neilston 2

NINE-MAN Neilston went out of the Central League Cup at the first hurdle on Saturday.

They travelled to Shotts, confident that their good record against the Hannah Park side would see them through.

Despite having a weakened side, with Ricky Gillies injured and manager Sammy Johnston forced to name himself as substitute, they started well.

John Sherry had the first chance at goal when he turned and drove a shot at keeper Ian Banks after a high ball.

But the home side replied almost immediately when Brian Hewitt brilliantly touched a shot round the post, before an equally good stop by Banks foiled Paul Harkins.

Then, as the keepers took centre stage, Hewitt saved the day as Shotts found themselves clear on goal.

The Farmers Boys took the lead in 38 minutes when a Kenny Gillies through ball was met perfectly by Sean McIllroy, who gave Banks no chance.

This was to be Gillies’ last piece of the action, though, as he was shown a straight red card for what looked a tame sliding tackle just before the break.

Things went from bad to worse after the interval when Shotts equalised in the first minute of the second half.

For once, Brian Hewitt was caught out when he seemed to lose the flight of the ball from a Mark McKeever free kick and the ball landed in the net.

Disaster struck minutes later for captain Andy Whiteford when he was also given a straight red, despite already being booked, and Neilston were down to nine men.

Incredibly, the under-strength visitors almost levelled the game when Stephen McGowan, on his own up front, saw a shot blocked by Banks.

This was to prove crucial as Shotts took the lead in the 67th minute through Stephen McGladrigan, who reacted well under pressure.

Sammy Johnston and Paul McDougall then come on in a double substitution, with McIllroy and new signing David Feeney from Ardeer making way.

A last minute penalty, converted by Harkins after Joe Bryers was brought down, came too late to make any difference and the whistle blew almost right away.

With four games left, Neilston are hoping it will be third time lucky on Saturday, when Petershill are the visitors in the twice-postponed league match.

An exciting match is in prospect with second playing third, and a win for the Brig O Lea side making survival a decent prospect — kick-off 2pm.

Social Bookmarking What are these?