Winton Rovers won the Ayrshire District League in 2015.
TOP MIDFIELDER JOINS WINTON
Ambitious Ardrossan Winton Rovers
this week swooped to secure midfield general Gareth Turner on loan from Troon to
help boost their promotion hopes.
The veteran, who worked with Winton
boss Chris Strain at Portland Park and Irvine Meadow, made his debut in
Saturday’s 5-1 demolition of Girvan and is on board until the end of the season.
Victory took them within three points of
leaders Kilwinning Rangers with a game in hand over the Abbey Park side who were
held 2-2 away to Saltcoats Victoria.
Strain said “Girvan are an improved side from
earlier in the season and because they sit in they are hard to break down - but
we played well and it was a good victory.
It’s great to have someone of Gareth Turner’s
quality in the squad.
He is a talented player who gets into holes
and works very hard.
If we can keep him fit we will win a watch.”
Winton have an important game away to promotion
challengers Lugar Boswell Thistle on Saturday and that is followed by a home
clash with Whitletts Victoria.
Strain said “We beat Lugar 3-1 at Winton Park
but it was an end-to-end game and I was impressed by them.
They are a strong side.
The next two games could go a long way to
deciding what happens.
Obviously, we will be looking to win at Lugar
as they are really challenging and to take something from the Whitletts game as
they are on the fringes of the promotion race - but even if we drew the two
games we wouldn’t lose any ground on them.”
Winton chairman Dougie Rae is
encouraged with his team’s progress.
He said “Our efforts so far this season have
given us an opportunity to achieve our goals in the second half of the season.”
TITLE TARGET FOR WINTON MAN TURNER
Midfielder Impressed with Squad
Veteran Ardrossan Winton Rovers
midfielder Gareth Turner is aiming for promotion.
He is one of two new signings along with
former Kilbirnie Ladeside midfielder Matt Bennett.
Striker Jared Willet has also signed on until
the end of next season along with fellow midfielder/forward Conor Browning.
Turner, 34, has linked up again with boss
Chris Strain senior after moving from Troon for the rest of the season.
He was unable to command a regular starting
place with the Premier Division Seasiders.
The player told Sportscene “I had been injured
some of last season but I was fit again and just not getting a game so it made
sense that I joined Winton.
I know Chris from working with him for eight
seasons at Irvine Meadow and before that a season at Troon and this is a good
opportunity hopefully for me to get some first-team football. We have a good
squad.
Matt Bennett has settled quickly and it’s good that
Jared has signed another deal. It would be nice to win the league but the most
important thing is to try and secure promotion.”
Strain is encouraged
with how things are going and is pleased to have Turner and Bennett on board.
He said “Gareth has so much experience and it
will be great for some of the younger guys to work with him.
He has won nearly every honour in the game so
I am sure he will be an important player for us.
Matt has come in and is playing well.
He has been playing left midfield and has also
scored some goals.
Jared Willet has been pushed upfront recently
and has suited that role.
Conor Browning has bags of pace.
The players are buying into what we are trying
to do at Winton and the new guys have fitted in well.”
Rovers are unbeaten in their
last eleven games and will be looking to extend that on Saturday when a
Whitletts Victoria side, managed by former Saltcoats Vics boss Rikki Ryland come
visiting for a rearranged game.
Strain said “Whitletts are in the mix for
promotion.
They are challenging and have picked up in
recent weeks but we are on a good run and our target is to win the game.”
Winton Look Super After Vics Triumph
Winton took a giant step towards the SuperLeague with what in
the end proved to be a comfortable victory against Whitletts at
Winton
Park (on 24 January 2015).
Vics were punished yet again by a poor start
to the game.
Not for the first time, it took them fifteen
minutes to get into the match but while they may have got away with that on
other occasions, Winton took full advantage and the only
surprise was that the home side held a one goal advantage after that spell.
It took Winton almost two minutes to take the lead.
Stevie Kerr mistimed a tackle at the edge of
the box and from the resulting free-kick, Ryan Caddis left Ally McInnes rooted
to the spot as his free-kick settled in the corner of the net.
Winton poured forward with
the visiting defence at sixes and sevens but, despite creating
number of openings, poor finishing let them
down badly.
In one such opportunity, Lee McCrea was left
with an open goal at the back post only yards from goal yet somehow managed to
return the ball across the face of goal from where Graham Longair’s challenge
denied John Johnstone.
Finally, Whitletts settled and in fifteen minutes they mustered their first
attack on the Ardrossan goal and Lee Holland’s strike was saved
by Michael Wardrope.
Two minutes later a stunning save from the
Winton keeper at full stretch denied Michael O’Connor who
looked set to score with a diving header from eight yards.
Neither defence looked too clever under
pressure and Conor Browning fired just wide for Winton while,
at the other end, Vic’s penalty appeals were waved aside by referee Kevin
McElhinney after Craig Breen handled inside the box.
Within seconds of that decision,
Ardrossan doubled their advantage, McCrea, finding acres of space down
the left flank, and his low cross was turned into the net by Johnstone.
Caddis could have added a third but fired straight at McInnes but in
thirty-seven minutes, Vics got themselves back in the game.
A superb flick by Jim Wilson released Tony
Balfour who shrugged off the attentions of Matty Bennett to race clear into the
box before firing low past Wardrope for his thirtieth goal of the season.
Moments later, O’Connor’s drive was deflected
just over while Gary Russell fired just wide from twenty-five yards as Whitletts
pressed for the equaliser but just before the break, Caddis should have restored
Winton’s two-goal advantage but he screwed his angled shot out for a throw-in.
The second period failed to see any clear-cut chances created in the
opening stages with a Johnstone-floated cross into the danger zone that McInnes
had to parry clear being the only piece of action worthy of note apart from
Winton boss Chris Strain being sent to the stand by the referee
after words said to the official following a Longair challenge on McCrea that
also saw the Vics’ assistant manager and Winton’s Caddis both
booked.
Winton had the better of the possession and
territorial advantage but goalmouth action was rare and with fifteen minutes
remaining, McCrea saw his cross come off the face of McInnes’s left post.
In seventy-six minutes, the visitors were
reduced to ten men when Hurlford United loanee Euan Blair was shown a straight
red card after a lunging challenge and within three minutes, Ardrossan
took full advantage of the extra space as McCrea set up Caddis who fired past
the helpless McInnes.
In his goalmouth celebration, the former Ayr
striker jumped over the pitch surround but referee McElhinney chose not to show
the player a second yellow card.
The only question was whether Winton could add to their tally.
Ian
Cashmore’s snapshot from twenty-five yards went close while Grant Turner, on
loan from Troon, should have scored when put in the clear but fired wide before
a spectacular effort from Ben Carson was turned behind by McInnes.
This was not a match of the standard normally
produced when these two clubs meet but certainly an after that Whitletts will
want to forget.
The teams were
Winton Rovers -
Wardrope, Breen, Bennet, Gilmour (Miller 90),
Cochrane, Carson, Browning, Johnstone, Willett (Cashmore 66), Caddis (Turner 79)
and McCrea.
The unused substitutes were Webb and Pollock.
Whitletts Victoria – McInnes, Longair, Simpson, Buchanan, Blair, Holland,
Kerr, Russell (Love 67), Wilson (Wallace 77), Balfour (Ewart 83) and O’Connor.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 28
January 2015
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 5 –
DARVEL JUNIORS 2
Winton’s Success is Ongoing
Rampant
Winton dented Darvel’s promotion hopes as their unbeaten run continued (on 31
January 2015).
Rovers started brightly doing most of the
pressing with early half-chances for Ben Carson and Craig Breen inside five
minutes.
Darvel, however, took the lead against the run of
play in twelve minutes.
Winton looked to have almost opened the
scoring when a great header hit the underside of the bar but stayed out and was
cleared off the line.
Darvel broke up the right and Greg Vernon ran into
the box before hitting an angled drive past Michael Wardrope from fifteen yards.
In eighteen minutes, Winton equalised when
Conor Browning won a free-kick on the right just outside the box.
Ryan Caddis swung over a cross to the back
post where Billy Gilmour headed home from six yards.
The hosts went ahead when Robbie Cochrane met
Caddis’s corner from the right at the back post and although this powerful
header looked netbound, Ian Cashmore seemed to make sure with a glancing header
almost on the line.
The third goal came in sixty-four minutes when Conor
Browning swung in a dangerous cross which was only cleared to Lee McCrea fifteen
yards out and he made no mistake with a low drive past Markey.
Darvel were reduced to ten men in sixty-eight
minutes when Kenny Parris picked up a second yellow card for a foul on John
Johnston.
Rovers them made it 4-1 in seventy-two
minutes.
Matty Bennett played a good ball down the left to
Caddis who got to the line before squaring to Lee McCrea who netted from ten
yards.
Ten minutes later, Browning fired in a low hard cross
which was met by Willet and he swept the ball home from fifteen yards.
Darvel pulled a goal back two minutes for time
when a throw-in reached the unmarked Greg Vernon just inside the box and his
mis-hit shot went in past Wardrope.
The Winton Rovers team was Wardrope,
Breen, Bennet, Gilmour, Cochrane, Carson, Browning, Johnston, Cashmore, Caddis
and McCrea. The
substitutes were Turner, Willet, Miller, Pollock and Hainey.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 February 2015
Winton Rovers striker takes goals
tally to a dozen
Hotshot
Ardrossan Winton Rovers striker Ian Cashmore is targeting title
success after notching his twelfth goal of the season.
The thirty-one year old helped Winton
demolish Darvel 5-2 to stay in joint top spot in the District League, behind his
former club, Kilwinning Rangers, only on goal difference.
He is looking for a fourth flag triumph after
previously winning the Premier Division and District League with Buffs and Super
First Division with Glenafton Athletic.
Cashmore told Sportscene “It was
an important win for us and we are on a great run of form.
At the start of the season, the aim was
promotion but now we are hoping to win the league although we are taking it a
game at a time.
Hopefully, the match at Muirkirk goes ahead
but I hear there’s a lot of snow there and we will be looking for three points.”
The hitman, nicknamed Cashy is impressed with
the coaching and playing staff at the Ardrossan club.
He added “It’s great working with Chris
Strain, John McCall and George Watt who have managed at the top level and it was
a good move bringing in Gareth Turner who has so much experience.
We also have other good players like Lee
McCrea and Jared Willet. I
don’t like to set targets but it would be nice
if I could reach twenty goals.
I would say we are ready for the Super League
as we have a great set up behind the scenes as well as on the field.
Kilwinning are going very well but Lugar are
still in the hunt and you can’t rule out Whitletts or Darvel yet.
I am enjoying my football here and the fans
are really getting behind us.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 February 2015
They win top grub title
Ardrossan Winton Rovers were presented with their award for the Best Football
Pie in Scotland at the weekend.
Pieman Stephen McAllister, boss of The Kandy
Bar bakery which provides the meaty treat for fans,
presented
the handsome trophy to the club before their match against Darvel on Saturday.
The club also won a trophy for the Best Pie in
Junior Football.
Stephen, winner of last year’s Best Scotch Pie
title, said “We might not have taken world champion title this year but
competition in the football pie category is fierce so I am delighted that the
Scotch Pie sold here at Ardrossan Winton Rovers has been given recognition as
the best in the land.”
The Kandy Bar took home a number of prizes on
the day – gold for its Scotch Pie, bronze for its Sausage Rolls and silver for
its Large Apple Tart.
Alan Clarke of Scottish Bakers, said “My
heartfelt congratulations go to our winner.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 February 2015
Winton Roar Ahead
Rovers remain second
top of the table after a comfortable and confident victory (on 7 February 2015)
over struggling Muirkirk in a match that was switched from snow-bound Burnside
Park to a comparatively balmy Ardrossan.
With the result never looking in jeopardy,
Rovers’ boss Chris Strain will be pleased with his side’s performance,
especially their attacking play.
Visiting goalkeeper Shaun Kirkland was
in fine form and made good saves in the opening minutes from Gareth Turner and
Billy Gilmour as the Rovers pressured the Muirkirk goal right from the off.
There was nothing he could do in the ninth
minute, however, when John Johnstone fired a shot into the net low to the
goalkeeper’s left.
Things got worse for Muirkirk when
Bryan O'Neill had to go off injured and after further saves from Kirkland,
Rovers added at third goal atter twenty-four minutes when Jared Willet's cross
from the left was nodded home by Johnstone at the far post.
Willet then inadvertently cleared a shot off
the Muirkirk line as he tried to get out of the way but he provided the
left-wing cross for Johnstone to volley in his hat-trick in the thirty-ninth
minute.
Winton’s defence was tested for the first time two
minutes later and was found wanting.
Muirkirk won a corner on the left and from
Eoin Waite's set-piece, mayhem ensued in the goalmouth.
Just when it seemed the chance had gone, sub
Liam Martin imposed himself on the chaos and thundered in the loose ball from
close range.
After the break, Rovers were awarded a penalty which
resulted in their fifth goal but Muirkirk felt there was an injustice with Alan
Baird being the man accused of a push on Conor Browning in front of goal.
Referee Adam Barclay stuck by his decision,
however, and Caddis easily netted from the spot after sixty-one minutes.
Seven minutes later, Caddis headed in number
six off a cross from Turner and after a sliced clearance from Scott Black had
come back of the crossbar, a shot from substitute Larry McMahon took a heavy
deflection and beat Kirkland for number seven in the seventy-sixth minute.
Muirkirk had the last word though with nine minutes left as a harmlessly
bouncing ball was controlled by Willet using his arm.
Mark Eadie asked no questions and struck home the penalty.
This late goal, however, only served to be a consolation in a match where
Rovers were in complete control from the beginning.
The teams were
Winton Rovers
– Pollock, Breen, Bennett, Gilmour,
Cochrane, Turner, Browning, Johnstone, Willet, Caddis and McGuire with
substitutes McMahon, Hainey, Miller and Smith.
Muirkirk – Kirkland, Black,
Waite, O'Neill, Palmer, Baird, Reid, Eadie, Gibson, Lynch and Hamilton with
substitutes Martin, Pearson and McGuire.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 11 February 2015
CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS 1 – ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS
13
Goal Fest For Winton
by Matt Spiers
Rampant Winton are on course for the
title after racking up their biggest win of the season (on 14 February 2015).
Craigmark opened strongly, taking the game to
Winton and went ahead in five minutes when a shot from the edge
of the box by Willie Hall found the bottom corner of the net.
Winton lost the services of Matty Bennett a few
minutes later, his place being taken by Darren Miller.
Craigmark continued pushing forward and it
took a fine save by Kenny Pollock to deny Dillan Dunn a second goal.
The equaliser came in fourteen minutes when a
pass-back was cued into the air by Steven Douglas and Jared Willet was first to
react to head into the empty net.
Winton went ahead three minutes later when Lee
McCrea unleashed a thirty-yard drive that flew pest Steven Douglas.
Two minutes later, Rovers were awarded a
penalty which was convened by Ryan Caddis.
Caddis turned. provider for the next two
goals.
He crossed for Willet to net and then sent in a
corner-kick which was turned home by Robbie Cochrane.
Eight minutes from half-time, Darren Miller
ran through from midfield to shoot home.
Winton added a seventh in
fifty minutes, Caddis sending a free-kick high into the net.
Seven minutes later, Gareth Turner scored his
first goal for the club with a crisp drive and five minutes later was on hand to
net after Steven Douglas had saved a shot.
Midway through the half, Cochrane headed
another comer beyond Steven Douglas.
Five minutes later, Caddis netted with another
free-kick from twenty yards which beat Steven Douglas all ends up.
Then, with twenty minutes left, recent
loan-signing Larry McMahon bagged his first goal for the club when he knocked
the ball home from close range following a Caddis cutback.
Winton added goal number
thirteen seven minutes from time when McCrea lifted the bail over the advancing
Douglas and into the net.
The Winton team was Pollock,
Breen, Bennett. Gilmour, Cochrane, Turner, Browning, Johnston, Willet, Caddis
and McCrea with substitutes Miller, McMahon, Hainey, Smith and Carson.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 18 February 2015
PROMISING TEENS JOIN JUNIOR SCENE
Winton and
Dalry Sign Morton Duo
Title-chasing Ardrossan Winton Rovers
and local rivals Dalry Thistle have snapped up two talented teenagers from
senior side Morton - and Winton boss Chris Strain senior is
targeting victory away to Lugar Boswell Thistle on Saturday (28 February 2015)
as he bids to close in on promotion. Striker
Jordan Cairnie has joined Winton while midfielder Dylan
Stevenson is at Merksworth Park with the latter making his debut in the 3-0
weekend win at home to Annbank United. Both
players are still with Morton under-20s but have been farmed out to the junior
sides. Strain said “Jordan is a good
young player. He is from
Ardrossan and hopefully we can help him develop his game.
Hopefully the signing will be beneficial
to both parties but we are playing well and Jordan will have to work hard to get
into the team.” Rovers
this week also moved to secure former Kilmarnock, Clyde and Alloa Athletic
midfielder Stevie Masterton, 30, on loan from Hurlford United.
Strain, who gave the players the day off
after the scheduled game at Kello Rovers was called off owing to snow added
“Stevie has so much experience in seniors and juniors and it’s great to have him
on board. I am sure he will do well for
us.” The Rovers boss is relishing the weekend trip to East
Ayrshire and said “We have been going very well and our aim is to take three
points as that would mean we were well on the way to promotion which has been
our aim all season. It would make it very difficult for Lugar to come back if we
won there although you never say never.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 25 February 2015
LUGAR
BOSWELL THISTLE 1 – ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 1
Spirited Winton Fight Back For
A Point
Winton fought
back bravely for a point after conceding an early goal (on 28 February 2015).
Both sides often found it difficult to keep
their feet on a pitch that had seen a youth match played on it in the morning.
As in the Craigmark match, Winton
conceded an early goal after they conceded an unfortunate corner in four
minutes.
The defence failed to clear the corner from the left
and the ball came to James Cuthbertson who rose to head powerfully home.
This was to be Thistle’s only really clear-cut
chance of a match that Rovers went on to dominate and although
they created more chances they were unable to make their pressure pay due
perhaps trying to play their usual passing game rather than Lugar's more direct
style which suited the conditions better.
Winton's
first real chance came in seven minutes after some good play between Lee McCrea
and John Johnston saw the ball played out to Ryan Caddis and although Johnston
got on the end of Caddis's left wing cross at the back post, he shot over the
bar.
Winton had a good chance in
twenty-one minutes when McCrea's shot at the back post, following a run and
crossed on the right by Caddis came to him, was blocked fora corner.
Robbie Cochrane then headed McCrea‘s corner
wide of the far post.
Although
Rovers were creating most of the chances, Thistle were
dangerous with long balls up to their front men and in twenty-six minutes, a
good free-kick from thirty yards which evaded everyone, went out of play.
From this Rovers should
probably have equalised when McCrea ran onto a long ball down the left and as he
ran in on goal Mather came out and McCrea shot straight into his arms from
twenty yards.
In thirty-four minutes, three or four
Rovers players got in shots in a goalmouth scramble following a cross
into the box from Caddis but last ditch defending kept the scoreline at 1-0.
Winton’s first real chance of
the half came in sixty-one minutes when a McCrea comer on the left was headed
back into the near post and although Jared Willet was on the post, a defender
managed to put the ball out for a comer.
From this corner, Larry McMahon was very
unlucky to see his goal-bound header kicked off the line at the back post.
McCrea
then picked up what was to be a costly yellow card.
Rovers then had the first of
a number of penalty appeals turned down when Caddis was brought down after he
had chased down a long ball into the box.
Stevie Masterton then made his debut for
Winton, replacing Craig Breen, who had picked up a knock in
seventy-four minutes.
Winton seemed to have blown
their chances when McCrea picked up a second booking with a few minutes left.
Thistle wasted more time bringing on Roddy
Paterson for Allan Patterson with two minutes left and were made to pay in time
added on when Jordan Mullen fouled Darren Miller just as he shot from inside the
box.
The referee pointed to the spot.
Mullen was also booked for a second time and
sent off.
Caddis stepped up and blasted the ball home.
The Winton Rovers team was
Wardrope, Breen, Bennett, Miller,
Cochrane, Carson, Browning, Johnston, Willet, Caddis and McCrea with substitutes
McMahon, Turner, Masterton, Smith and Cairnie.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 March 2015
KELLO ROVERS
2 – ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 3
Winton Cash In After Last-Minute Goal
A dramatic last gasp goal from super sub Ian Cashmore
helped Winton overcome spirited Kello to stay on course for
promotion (on 7 March 2015).
There was a minute’s silence before kick-off
in memory for Maybole skipper Stuart McGrady who sadly died in his sleep the
previous weekend.
Winton
should have taken the lead in three minutes when Gareth Turner was upended
inside the box.
Ryan Dunsmuir, however, saved Ryan Caddis’s
penalty-kick.
The opening goal was however only delayed a
minute as Caddis took a pass from Gareth Turner then ran into the box and beat
three defenders before firing low into the far corner.
Kello’s first chance came in nine minutes when
John Aitken shot over the bar.
The hosts were playing well and equalised in
twenty-seven minutes.
Michael
Wardrope was unable to hold on to a long range shot from Aitken which bounced
just in front of him and Lee McGinley squeezed the ball into the net.
Winton
were on top although Kello were making a real game of it but things changed in
forty minutes when both Caddis and Ryan Ross of Kello were shown straight red
cards following a flare-up near the halfway line.
Things got worse in time added on when
Winton went down to nine men after Robbie Cochrane was shown a straight
red for what the referee deemed to be a high challenge as he cleared the ball.
Larry McMahon and Lee MeCrea combined well in
fifty-four minutes to put the former through on goal but Dunsmuir saved at the
striker’s feet.
Kello’s
first chance of the second half came on fifty-seven minutes when Kieran Pagan
made a good run down the right and played the ball to Aitken in the box but he
fired the ball wide of goal.
Kello took the lead in seventy minutes
following a free-kick awarded for a foul by Turner deep inside the Kello half
for which he was booked.
The
hosts got the ball up to Jardine on the left and he ran on into the box and
slipped it under the advancing Wardrope and into the net.
Jordan
Cairnie made way for Conor Browning in seventy-three minutes just after Jared
Willet had come on and the two substitutes would be instrumental in turning this
game on its head.
Kello, however were still very much in it and
in seventy-five minutes, Robert Hampson shot narrowly over the bar.
Two
minutes later, Winton were back in the game after a Lee McCrea
shot was deflected for a corner on the left.
His
comer was missed by everyone in the goalmouth but fell to Darren Miller at the
back post and he hammered the ball into the roof of the net.
Cashmore then replaced McCrea who had picked
up a knock in eighty-five minutes.
Just
as it was looking as if Winton had snatched a valuable point
again they incredibly won the game in eighty-nine minutes.
Willet
and Conor Browning combined well down the right before the latter surged into
the box and hit a low cross which reached Cashmore at the back post and he
volleyed home.
The
Winton team was Wardrope, Miller, Bennett, Carson, Cochrane,
Turner, McMahon, Johnston, Cairnie, Caddis and McCrea with substitutes Willet,
Browning, Cashmore, Breen and Masterton.
ARDROSSAN
WINTON ROVERS 4 – SALTCOATS VICTORIA 0
Winton Take Vics For Four In Goal Fest
Ruthless Rovers swept aside their
derby rivals to take another giant stride towards promotion (on 14 March 2015).
Winton had a decent chance in
the opening minute when Jared Willet broke into the box but Jim Catterson in the
visitors’ goal was out quickly to block the danger.
Vics had their first chance in seven minutes
when Sean Quinn put over a good cross but Michael Wardrope made a comfortable
save from Mark Ferris.
A minute later, John Johnston had a shot
cleared off the Vics goal line after the ball was headed out to him in the box.
In
six minutes, James Moan missed a great opportunity when former Winton
striker Joe Young crossed the ball.
Although he got his head to it, he headed it
aimlessly to the ground and the ball was cleared.
In twenty-four minutes, some good play from
Rovers saw a Willet shot deflected to Lee McCrea but he fired
wide.
James Moan was then booked just before Winton
took the lead on the half hour
The resultant free-kick was played into the
box and as Gareth Turner rose to head the ball, visiting goalie Jim Catterson
fouled him and although his header hit the top of the bar the referee blew for a
penalty.
Turner stayed down and was helped off the pitch
before going to hospital with a shoulder injury.
Ben Carson stepped up and blasted his
spot-kick home.
Willet
then had a well-hit shot from twenty-five yards in thirty-two minutes parried by
Catterson but he smothered the ball before Lee McCrea could take advantage.
A minute later Larry McMahon headed a McCrea
cross from the left-back into the goalmouth but the ball was cleared off the
line.
Rovers had a good shout for another
penalty when John Johnston won the ball before running into the box and,
although he was brought down, the referee ignored the appeals.
The Seasiders
however had the last chance of the half when Michael Wardrope saved at the feet
of Sean Quinn.
It was 2-0 in forty-nine minutes after
Catterson misjudged an in-swinging McCrea corner from the right and the ball
went over the line before the goalie's attempted punched clearance went-into the
roof of the net.
Willet shot wide after cutting in from the
right before Saltcoats were reduced to ten men when James Moan was shown a
second yellow for a poor challenge and was sent off.
Rovers
made the game safe in eighty-four minutes after some good play down the left.
The ball broke to Stevie Masterton and
although Catterson blocked his shot, McMahon volleyed the loose ball home from
close range for his second goal in five games.
Winton bagged a fourth goal
in time added on when Carson played a good ball to McCrea ho knocked the ball
back into the goalmouth here Johnston headed the ball past the diving keeper.
The
teams were
Winton Rovers - Wardrope, Breen, Miller, Gilmour,
Cochrane, Carson, Browning, Johnston, Willet, Turner and McCrea with substitutes
McMahon, Cashmore, Masterton, Cairnie and Smith.
Saltcoats Victoria -
Catterson, McGeady, Curran, Whyte, Easdon, Weaver, Moan, Black, Young, Ferris
and Quinn with substitutes McKie, Park, McClelland and Knight.
KILWINNING
RANGERS 2 ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 2
Both Teams Take Strain In Thriller
by Stewart McConnell
This was billed the battle of the Strains with Chris
Strain junior in the Buffs dug-out battling for the family honour with dad Chris
senior in the opposite corner.
It more than lived up to the pre-match billing
and at the end of a fast-paced end-to-end battle, played in front of a bumper
crowd of more than four hundred, it was all even with a point apiece.
The Winton manager had said
beforehand a draw would suit both teams and he was right.
It leaves the Abbey Park side firm favourites
to clinch the title and their opponents likely to join them as runners-up in the
District League.
Buffs still have their fate very much in their
own hands and wins away to Lugar Boswell Thistle and Whitletts Victoria will
give Strain junior and Colin Stewart’s side a second Ayrshire District League
title in three years.
What
an advert this was for the District League and should those two make it up to
the SuperLeague, although Lugar are still in contention after victory against
Dalry Thistle, we could well be in store for some classic confrontations next
season. The game was played at a high tempo for most of the ninety minutes with
two entertaining teams offering some great value for money for punters.
Winton were under-strength, going into the
match without suspended skipper and striker Ryan Caddis and midfielder Gareth
Turner, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Buffs skipper Chris McGowan also had a thigh
injury and was on the bench.
The
home side got off to the perfect start by taking the lead with virtually the
first action of the match.
An in-swinging cross from Ben Lewis was only
parried by Michael Wardrope and the ball broke back to former Ayr United man
John Bradford to smash the ball home from eight yards.
Inspirational Bradford, who evokes memories of
Abbey Park legend Gerry Feline with the way he holds up the ball so well, had a
shot from ten yards saved by visiting goalie Michael Wardrope after being set up
by Owen Quigley in twelve minutes.
Five minutes later,
a thirty-yard free- kick from Lewis was booted
clear by the Winton defence.
In
nineteen minutes, however, it was all-square as the unmarked Robbie Cochrane
headed home a Ben Carson free-kick from eight yards, much to the delight of the
noisy visiting fans.
Rovers had a great
opportunity to go ahead three minutes later as Jared Willet found himself in a
good position ten yards out but miscued his shot and the ball glanced wide.
Back at the other end, in twenty-four minutes,
a Bradford volley from twelve yards trundled just wide of target.
Winton were awarded a
free-kick on the edge of the box when the impressive Willet was tripped inside
the box.
Carson's set-piece from twenty yards, however, was
blocked by the home wall.
ln
thirty-one minutes, a flashing header from Willet spun narrowly wide of target as
Winton enjoyed their best spell of the match.
Seconds later, Winton were
denied what looked like a stonewall penalty when Willet was upended inside the
box by Owen Quigley but referee Ross Menzies waved play on.
Ten minutes from half-time, a
Bradford rocket from ten yards was brilliantly
saved by Wardrope.
Just two minutes later, at the other end,
Willet shot across the face of goal from ten yards.
Lewis shot just over the bar from twenty yards
in forty minutes.
Rovers
snatched the lead in style six minutes after the break when John Johnston
slipped an inspired through ball to Carson to roll the ball home from eight
yards.
Back at the other end, Buffs had an opportunity to
level but Bryan Boylan shot over the bar from ten yards in fifty-four minutes.
On the hour, a Boylan header from six yards
following a free-kick from substitute Willie McLaren was well saved by Wardrope.
Seven minutes later, however, parity was
restored when a fierce effort from inside the box by Bradford was well saved by
the visiting goalie but McLaren pounced to thunder home the rebound from twelve
yards.
Great play by Dean Agnew saw him make a twenty-yard
run into the box only to have his shot blocked by a Winton
defender in sixty-two minutes.
Then
in seventy-six minutes, a Lewis shot from twenty yards drifted past the post.
Agnew shot over the bar from twelve yards a
minute later.
Then eight minutes from time, a shot from just
outside the box by Lewis was smothered by Wardrope.
A minute from time a shot from twelve yards by
substitute Ian Cashmore hit the side netting and went just past the post.
Once again Buffs came close a minute into
stoppage time when Bradford teed up McLaren who turned brilliantly before
sending a bicycle kick from six yards inches wide of target.
ln
the final action of the game a minute later, a Bradford header from a McLaren
cross was tipped over the bar by Wardrope as it ended in deadlock which was a
fair result in a closely-contested match.
The
teams were
Kilwinning Rangers – Stewart, Maitland, Fleeting, Kerr, Hunter,
Anderson, Agnew, Quigley, Bradford. Lewis and Boylan with substitutes Fisher,
Kemp, Hart, McGowan and McLaren.
Winton Rovers – Wardrope, Breen,
Bennett, Gilmour, Cochrane, Miller, Browning, Johnston, Willet, Carson and
McCrea with substitutes McMahon, Cairns, Cashmore and Smith.
ARDROSSAN WINTON
ROVERS 4 – LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE 2
Winton chalked up a
third victory of the season against Lugar in a closely contested cup tie which
was played in awful conditions.
Rovers were without Billy Gilmour, Gareth Turner, Ian Cashmore and Jordan
Cairnie and could only name two outfield substitutes while Thistle only had one
outfield substitute.
Five
minutes from half-time, Thistle were awarded a free-kick thirty yards out which
was played into the box where an unmarked Steven Shankland rose to head home.
Worse was to follow on the stroke of the interval after Ryan Caddis had
an effort blocked and cleared, when Lugar were awarded another free-kick well
outside the penalty area.
This time,
Robbie Cochrane got his head to the ball but only directed it backwards and
Chris Todd headed home.
Winton
were on the attack from kick-off after the break, creating a couple of chances
before equalising in forty-nine minutes, Conor Browning ran on to a good ball
down the left before reaching the line and hitting the ball low and hard into
the goalmouth where Craig Breen forced it home from six yards. Roddy
Paterson then went close for Lugar with a dipping volley alter Caddis had lost
the hall out on the right in fifty-four minutes.
Caddis went close with a similar effort which went over the bar.
Smith then had a shot blocked for a corner on fifty-nine minutes and from
this there was another chance when a poor punch by Kelly saw the ball only reach
a Winton player and his shot was blocked and cleared by a defender almost on the
line.
The
drama was not over as Lugar pulled a goal back in eighty-nine minutes.
Again, it was from another free-kick, this time twenty-five yards out on
the left. The ball was played in low
towards the near post where Craig Muir was on hand to get enough of a touch to
knock it past Wardrope. The match ended in an unfortunate manner
for Rovers who were looking to see the game out in the comer on the stand side
as Caddis was sent off almost on the final whistle.
The
Winton Rovers team was
Wardrope; Miller, Bennett, Carson, Cochrane,
McCrea, Breen, Johnston, Smith and Caddis.
The substitutes were Browning, Willet, McMahon and Pollock.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 1 April 2015
MUIRKIRK JUNIORS 0 – ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 7
Superb Seven as Rovers go Level at
Top of League
Rampant Winton Rovers moved level on
points with Kilwinning Rangers after this demolition job at Burnside Park.
Although Muirkirk made a game of it,
Winton were always in control and almost took the lead in three minutes
when they forced two quick comers in succession on the left.
A Jordan Cairnie header from the second one
was headed off the line by a defender.
Muirkirk had their first chance of the game in
five minutes when their number 11 shot wide from a good position and they put the
Winton defence under pressure before Rovers
took the lead on ten minutes.
Darren Miller crossed to skipper Ryan Caddis
on the edge of the box and he took a few steps into the box before firing low
into the net.
Three minutes later, a defender misjudged a long ball out
of the Rovers defence and headed the ball backwards into the
path of Caddis who got to the line before crossing into the goalmouth but Jared
Willet was unable to connect and the ball was cleared.
In eighteen minutes, the home keeper who
impressed the visiting fans, made a good save from a Jared Wallet effort.
Jordan Cairnie was booked in twenty-one
minutes for a push on the dangerous number ten as he threatened to break through
the defence.
Two minutes later, it should have been 2-0
when Winton were awarded a penalty after Willet was brought
down in the box following a Miller throw-in.
The goalie, however, saved Caddis’s poor spot
kick.
Rovers had another chance in thirty
minutes when a Caddis from almost on the bye-line was cleared.
Three
minutes from the break, Winton finally doubled their lead when
Miller won the ball on the right before running into the box where he rode a
tackle before he hit a low hard ball into the goalmouth where Willet was on hand
to force the ball home from five yards.
It was 3-0 right on half-time when Carson
played the ball to the back post after a good run into the box and Caddis fired
home from close range for his second of the match.
Winton
had a goal chalked off, perhaps unfairly, for offside in fifty-four minutes.
Willet worked his way into the box and his
shot was deflected on to the crossbar and rebounded to Caddis who headed the ball
home but, although the last touch before was from a defender, the referee gave
offside.
Robbie Cochrane was shown a rather harsh second
yellow for handball and sent off in sixty-one minutes.
McCrea and Caddis both had attempts cleared
before Rovers took a 4-0 lead in sixty-four minutes when Ben
Carson volleyed home a Willet cross from close range.
In seventy-one minutes, Craig Breen found
Conor Browning who got into the box and although his shot was blocked, the ball
fell to Carson who netted from ten yards.
Ten minutes from time, it was
6-0 when a defender completely miskicked a ball into the box from Cashmore and
Caddis pounced for his hat-trick and twenty-ninth goal in twenty-six games this
season.
Winton were denied a stonewall
penalty on full-time when the keeper brought down Ryan Caddis as he ran in on
goal.
It was, however 7-0 in time added on when Carson got
his hat-trick.
Caddis dummied a ball into the box from Breen
and Carson made no mistake from fifteen yards.
The Winton
team was Wardrope, Miller, Bennett, Cairnie, Cochrane, Carson, Breen, Johnston,
Willet, Caddis and McCrea with substitutes Browning, Cashmore, Pollock. McMahon
and Smith.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 8 April 2015
ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 7 – DALRY THISTLE 0
Winton Move Into First With
Convincing Win
by Matt Spiers
Ardrossan Winton Rovers eventually
strolled into the Super League First Division, demolishing Dalry with some
clinical finishing (on 10 April 2015).
Dalry were prominent early on and gave the
Winton defence some anxious moments without showing any cutting
edge in front of goal.
Calum Hercus of Dalry received a nasty head
injury after ten minutes and had to be replaced with Paul Hyslop.
Winton opened the scoring six
minutes later, Ryan Caddis heading a John Johnstone cross into the net.
Dalry had a few half chances to get back into the match with John
Boyle driving over from thirty yards when well-placed after eighteen minutes.
Two minutes later, Robbie Halliday found
himself with a shooting chance but his week effort was easily saved by Michael
Wardrope.
Winton doubled their lead in
twenty-seven minutes, Jarred Willett netting from thirty yards.
Six minutes later, the game was over as a
contest.
Darren Miller released Conor Browning on the right
and his low cross was turned into the net by Jarred Willett.
A fourth goal arrived in thirty-seven minutes.
A Caddis free-kick on the right found Robbie
Cochrane who headed into the net.
Within two minutes of coming on, Ian Cashmore
was set up by Caddis in the sixty-second minute and shot into the net from just
inside the box.
Six minutes later, Lee Lockhart pulled down
Lee McCrae as he went through on goal.
It was a clear penalty that saw Lockhart
ordered off and Caddis netted from the spot.
Thirteen minutes from time, Caddis completed his hat-trick, latching
on to a low cross from Browning to net from the edge of the box.
With promotion secured Winton
need a point from their game at Darvel to clinch the championship.
The teams were
Winton Rovers - Wardrope, Miller, Bennett, Cairnie,
Cochrane, Carson, Browning, Johnstone, Willett, Caddis and McCrae with
substitutes Cashmore, McMahon, Breen, Hainey and Pollok.
Dalry - Hewitt, Lockhart,
Halliday, Freil, Hercus, Guthrie, Freils, Stevenson, Boyle, Loughlan and Hood
with substitutes Summers and Hyslop.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 15 April 2015
DARVEL JUNIORS 0 - ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 2
CHAMPION ROVERS DOWN DARVEL
Celebrations erupted around Recreation Park as Winton defeated
Darvel to land the District League title (on 25 April 2015).
Around two hundred and fifty visiting fans made the short trip to East Ayrshire
for one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.
They only needed a point to clinch the championship but sealed it in style.
While Chris Strain senior’s team did not play at their best against a good
Darvel side, they did enough to win the match.
Although Rovers had comfortably beaten the hosts 5-2 at
Winton
Park back in January, a tough match was expected against a
big, physical Darvel team whose main problem this season has been a lack of
consistency.
The
first ten minutes were even although Ryan Caddis and Jared Willet both had half
chances before Robbie Cochrane failed to clear a ball in the box which Jordan
Ryan picked up and shot narrowly past the far post.
In seventeen minutes, Ryan saw another effort go over the bar after the ball
wasn’t cleared properly.
A couple of minutes later, the referee played advantage when Jared Willet was
fouled in the middle of the pitch and Ryan Caddis ran on to the loose ball out
on the right and got to the line before his cross was deflected for a corner.
Robbie Cochrane headed Lee McCrea’s resultant corner
kick over the bar.
In twenty-five minutes,
Darren Miller played a free-kick from thirty yards low to Caddis on the edge of
the box who turned and fired a good shot which was deflected for another corner.
Darvel hit back and, in thirty-one minutes, Murray
Johnston avoided tackles from three Winton defenders out on the left before
finding Kenny Parris who somehow hooked the ball over the bar from ten yards.
Winton
started the second half looking more lively and had the ball in the net in the
first minute after John Johnston had headed a rebound off the bar home but the
referee chalked it off for offside.
The hosts came back into the match and in fifty-three minutes, a twenty-five
yard free-kick from Craig Vernon went harmlessly through to Michael Wardrope.
At this stage, Rovers were unable to keep possession giving the
ball away and not picking up second balls and they had an escape in fifty-eight
minutes.
Firstly, Michael Wardrope was quickly off his line to save from Jordan Ryan as
he ran in on goal.
From the resulting corner-kick, a good Darvel header actually hit a team-mate
and was then cleared.
A minute later, former Winton
keeper, David Markey saved well from Caddis following a good Crossfield move
between Conor Browning and Lee McCrea.
Winton
sealed victory in seventy minutes when a ball out of the home defence only
reached Ben Carson on the edge of the area and he laid it off to Caddis who was
just inside the box and, after taking a few steps, he fired a low shot across
Markey and into the far corner of the net.
As the game wound down, Gareth Turner made his return to the side after
recovering from a shoulder injury, replacing Ben Carson.
Title success sees Winton qualify for the Evening Times Cup.
The
Winton team was Wardrope, Miller, Bennett, Cairnie, Cochrane,
Carson, Browning, Johnston, Willet, Caddis and McCrea with substitutes Cashmore,
Turner, McMahon, Pollock and Breen.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 April 2015
Irvine Vics win 4-3 on
penalties
Rovers made
four changes from the side that clinched the league title on Saturday
(25 April 2015).
With captain Ryan Caddis starting a
suspension, Larry McMahon partnered Ian Cashmore up front and Gareth Turner made
his first start since recovering from injury.
Winton
had the better of the opening few minutes forcing several corners which came to
nothing before Vics took control of the game as Rovers
struggled to get their game together and deal with balls in from the wings for
most of the first half.
The home side took the lead their pressure
deserved in the fourteenth minute when a cross in from the Vics right by Scott
Chesney wasn’t dealt with by the defence and David Adams fired low into the net
from about fifteen yards to make it 1-0.
It was almost 2-0 on 20 minutes when the
dangerous Adams broke from just inside the Winton half and ran
to the edge of the box and a took a great tackle by Robbie Cochrane to win the
ball and clear the danger.
Adams, however, appeared to pick up a knock
and had to be replaced by Ryan Singleton.
A couple of minutes later Stuart Hannah had a
shot deflected for a corner.
Winton
had their first real chance of the half when Ian Cashmore shot over the bar
after Larry McMahon laid the ball back to him in the box.
McMahon then had a shot go across the
goalmouth on thirty-one minutes.
Callum Davidson shot well over the bar from
just outside the box after he picked up a loose clearance on thirty-six minutes
just before Michael Wardrope made a good save from Eddie Ablohr after the
striker had made the most of a mistake by Matty Bennett out on the left and cut
in on goal.
The last chance of the half fell to Lee McCrea
but he shot over the bar on forty-one minutes after Craig Breen back-heeled the
ball to him.
The half ended 1-0 to the home side but it
could have been worse for Rovers.
It was a much more
determined Rovers in the second half and they wasted a good
chance on forty-six minutes following a push on Darren Miller about twenty-five
yards out but the free kick came to nothing.
Michael Wardrope made another good save at his
near post on fifty-one minutes before Winton should have equalised in the
fifty-fourth minute.
Lee McCrea fired in a low hard cross into the
box which came to Gareth Turner but he miskicked the ball and the chance was
gone.
Rovers were now getting their game
going and playing some good football.
They equalised on the hour when Lamb in the
home goal fumbled a shot from Ian Cashmore and the ball went behind him and as
it rolled towards the goal Lee MCrea made sure from a couple of feet to make it
all square.
The visitors took the lead four minutes later
when Larry McMahon who worked hard the whole game ran on to a long clearance
from Robbie Cochrane held off a defender before slotting the ball under Lamb
from just inside the box to make it 2-1.
The lead however
lasted barely three minutes as Vics went down the park and got the ball into the
box.
Michael Wardrope made a good save from a close range
shot but was unable to hold onto the ball and Stuart Hannah forced the ball home
from close range to make it 2-2 in the sixty-seventh minute.
Both sides had chances to win the game after
this.
The best of those fell to Larry McMahon on
eighty-three minutes when he broke through the defence but Lamb came out to the
edge of the box to block his shot and the danger was cleared.
So to the dreaded
penalty shoot-out.
Ian Cashmore took the first for Winton
which was saved by Lamb.
Substitute Singleton hit the post with Vics'
first kick.
Ben Carson and Bobby Colligan both scored
theirs to make it 1-1 after two penalties each.
Lamb saved Winton’s third taken by Lee McCrea
and although Darren Miller and John Johnston scored their penalties Kevin Adam,
Callum Davidson and Scott Chesney were all successful with theirs so Vics won
4-3 on penalties.
In a strange end to the shoot-out, Michael
Wardrope was sent off after the final kick having earlier been booked during the
penalties.
So the unbeaten run
comes to an end although we are still unbeaten over ninety minutes since
October.
It will need a much better performance on Saturday to
get anything from the West of Scotland Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot.
The teams were
Irvine Victoria - Chris Lamb, Reid Brown, Paul Young,
David Wilson, Robert Burgess, Stuart Hannah, Scott Chesney, Callum Davidson,
Eddie Ablohr, David Adams and Bruce McMaster with substitutes Ryan Singleton,
Bobby
Colligan, Kevin Adam, Ryan McKay and Rory Campbell.
Winton Rovers
- Michael Wardrope, Darren Miller, Matty Bennett, Jordan Cairnie, Robbie
Cochrane, Ben Carson, Craig Breen, Gareth Turner, Ian Cashmore, Larry McMahon
and Lee McCrea with substitutes John Johnston, Conor Browning, Jared Willet,
Sean Hainey and Calvin Smith.
Winton Rovers Website, 29 April 2015
AUCHINLECK
TALBOT 2 – WINTON ROVERS 3
Winton
again took a good support with them to Beechwood Park on 2 May 2015.
Most would have been hoping that Rovers would
put up a good performance against the Junior Cup finalists and Premier Division
leaders although it is doubtful that many saw the final result coming.
With Darren Miller cup-tied, Craig Breen came
in at right-back and the experienced Gareth Turner replaced Larry McMahon at
number ten.
Ben Carson and John Johnston and Matty Bennett
and Lee McCrea swapped positions.
Winton
started the first half playing into a strong cold wind and Talbot had the first
chance of the game in the second minute when Mark Shankland fired over the bar.
Rovers however showed their
intentions a minute later when a Conor Browning cross in from the right was
missed by everyone in the goalmouth and ran through to Matty Bennett but his
cross was saved comfortably by Andy Leishman in the home goal.
In the fifth minute, the big goalie spilled a
Conor Browning cross/shot following some good play by Ben Carson and Gareth
Turner but recovered the ball quickly.
Former Winton man Keir
Milliken headed a corner over the bar a minute later as the game flowed from end
to end.
The hosts had the ball in the net on nine minutes
after Milliken and Shankland combined well but the goal was chalked off for
offside.
The
game became bogged down in midfield with Rovers matching their
opponents, fighting for every ball and playing some good football but neither
side was creating clear-cut chances.
Robbie Cochrane and Mark Campbell were both
booked on twenty-two minutes after a tussle as Rovers were
about to take a free kick.
Cochrane then did well to head a long kick-out
from Leishman back to Michael Wardrope.
On the half hour, Matty Bennett chased a ball
into the box and almost nutmegged the home keeper as he came out to the ball but
Leishman recovered and won the ball.
Talbot
finished the first half strongly with chances for Wilson and Latta but the last
real chance of the half came on thirty-nine minutes when a one-two between Craig
Breen and Gareth Turner almost let the former in on goal but the ball was
cleared for a corner.
Talbot
started the second period strongly when Shankland shot over the bar after a
header from Jordan Cairnie only came out as far as him on the edge of the box.
Milliken then had a shot touched onto the back
post by Michael Wardrope and a shot from the rebound then hit a Talbot player
before Craig Breen cleared the danger for a corner on fifty-three minutes.
Four minutes later, Rovers
took a shock lead when a Craig Breen cross from the stand side took a deflection
up in the air and Colin Spence trying to head clear only succeeded in heading
the ball into his own net to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
Auchinleck
piled on the pressure and they went close on the hour following a goalmouth
scramble but the defence was playing out of their skins.
A couple of minutes later, Michael Wardrope
made a great save from Wilson as he broke into the box and bore down on the
goal.
Incredibly, Winton then doubled
their lead in spectacular fashion.
Jared Willet held up a long ball out of
defence before playing it to John Johnston about thirty-five yards out on the
left side of the pitch and his shot flew past Leishman who was given no chance
as the ball hit the roof of the net for 2-0.
Talbot
now went looking to salvage the game and brought on David Gormley for Keir
Milliken on sixty-eight minutes just before Robbie Cochrane blocked a Gormley
goal-bound shot.
Dwayne Hyslop and Bryan Young then replaced
Colin Spence and James Latta in the seventieth minute.
Ben Carson then played John Johnston in with a
good ball into the box but his shot was blocked for a corner in the
seventy-third minute.
Talbot had another chance denied by Robbie
Cochrane’s intervention on seventy-five minutes and although Rovers
were under pressure they were playing some nice football going forward and at
that point the defence was holding out.
On seventy-seven minutes, Jared Willet out on
the left wing did well to win the ball beat the defender and get to the line but
his cross was headed out for a corner.
Two
minutes later, Michael Wardrope made a vital save with his feet from Gormley
just before Talbot pulled one back with seven minutes to go when the
Rovers defence failed to clear the ball after the home side had hit the
bar with a shot and a header following a free kick out on the right and the ball
finally fell to Gordon Pope who hammered the ball into the roof of the net from
a few yards to make it 2-1.
Most visiting fans feared the worst when
Talbot equalised with three minutes left when a ball from the right wasn’t
cleared and Shankland was on hand to fire home from about fifteen yards for 2-2.
With penalty kicks looming, Jared Willet made
a good run down the left and into the box but the ball ran away from him and the
chance was lost.
Rovers then went on to win
the tie with almost the last kick of the match when Ben Carson out on the right
played a good ball into the box for Conor Browning who ran in on goal before
calmly placing the ball between Leishman and the near post to win it for
Winton!
This
was a deserved win for a team that fought and matched their opponents for ninety
minutes.
This was only Talbot’s third defeat of the season and
we are the first team to score more than two goals against them this season.
This sets up a quarter final against Irvine
Meadow at
Winton
Park although before that is an Evening Times Trophy tie at
Winton
Park on Saturday against Rossvale.
The
teams were
Auchinleck - Andy Leishman, Ally Park, Gordon Pope, Martin
McGoldrick, Mark Campbell, Colin Spence, James Latta, Steven White, Keir
Milliken, Mark Shankland and Graham Wilson with substitutes David , Dwayne
Hyslop, Bryan Young, William Boyd and Declan Lavan.
Winton Rovers
-
Michael Wardrope, Craig Breen, Lee McCrea, Jordan Cairnie,
Robbie Cochrane, John Johnston, Conor Browning, Ben Carson, Jared Willet, Gareth
Turner and Matty Bennett with substitutes Kenny Pollock, Ian Cashmore and Calvin
Smith.
Winton Rovers Website, 2 May 2015
ROVERS REVEL
IN TITLE GLORY
Overjoyed
Ardrossan Winton Rovers manager Chris Strain senior admitted title
success with Ardrossan Winton Rovers was up there with his best
moments in football as his team sealed the Stagecoach Ayrshire District League
title in style.
Needing only a draw at Darvel (on 2 May 2015),
they won 2-0 at Recreation Park to pip a Kilwinning Rangers side, co-bossed by
his son Chris Strain junior.
It’s the second time in five years
Winton have won the District League title.
Strain senoir says his team’s
record against Buffs had been a key factor in their success and told Sportscene
“The players have done exceptionally.
They have done everything we asked them.
Every title is special in the game.
We had a good feeling about going up a few
weeks ago and this is the icing on the cake.
The pivotal moments were at Kello when we were
2-0 down with ten minutes to go but won the game, our win against Kilwinning at
Winton
Park and the draw with Buffs at Abbey Park.
The gaffer also said he
enjoyed getting one over on his critics at former club Meadow with whom he won
three Premier Division titles and said “One of the Meadow committee said myself
and John McCall, my assistant, were passed our sell-by date after we left but
hopefully we have proved them wrong now.
Every title is special.
At Meadow, you were expected to win things but
to win the District League with Ardrossan is a different
altogether and it feels great.
When we came to Winton last season, they were
middle of the league able but they have turned things upside down and gone to
the top very quickly.
The commitee have also given us great support.
We look forward to next season and hope to make Winton Park a fortress by
winning our home games.”
Success was especially sweet for Winton
coach George Watt, who turned forty-nine on Saturday.
He said “It was a great way to celebrate my
birthday but the lads have really worked hard for their success and deserve it.
We trained on Saturdays as well up the Castle Hill and that’s what helped,
Goalkeeper Michael Wardrope
hailed the coaching staff and said “Chris Strain, John McCall and George Watt
know what they are doing.
They are winners.
We knew it was going to happen this season.
We started as one of the favourites and it was
just great to get over the line.
It was a brilliant feeling when the whistle
blew.
I won three Premier Division titles and two West of
Scotland Cups with Irvine Meadow.
I know that was at a higher level but it
doesn’t matter which league you play in, it’s great to win titles.”
Skipper and top scorer Ryan
Caddis, on target against Darvel, was celebrating his first success in Junior
football and said “This is brilliant.
I was hopeful we would win the league this
season.
It was great to get a goal on Saturday and I have
thirty-three this season but if it wasn’t for the other guys I wouldn’t have
scored them.
Over the season, we deserved it.
We were the only team who has beaten everyone
in the league.
Next season, hopefully, we can get promotion
again.
This is the best team I have been involved with.”
Winger Conor Browning enjoyed his second District League triumph in three
seasons after success with Buffs two years ago and said “It was amazing on
Saturday celebrating with the fans and it’s nice to win another title.
We
are ready to play at the next level.”
Winton chairman
Dougie Rae added “Saturday was a great day for the club and our supporters.
Promotion as league champions is a platform
for the club to progress to a higher level.
Everyone connected with us should take great
pride and pleasure in our success.”
Meanwhile Strain junior said his team had
produced their “best display of the season” as they beat Lugar 5-0 away to
finish runners-up but he praised the title winners and said “Fair play to
Winton Rovers.
They had a tough game at Darvel but picked up
the win they needed.”
Carrick Herald, 4 May 2015
WINTON
ROVERS 1 – ROSSVALE 1
Rossvale won 5-4 on penalties
Winton went into this game at a sunny
Winton
Park on a high after their defeat of Auchinleck
Talbot the previous Saturday and made only one change from that team with Kenny
Pollock replacing the suspended Michael Wardrope.
A tough game was expected against Rossvale who
had won their League comfortably and included several experienced players in
their squad.
Rovers
started brightly and attacked from the start creating most of the early chances
before they took the lead in the seventeenth minute.
A cross from Conor Browning after a good run
down the right was met by Jared Willet who fired the ball into the roof of the
net for 1-0.
Rossvale had their first chance on twenty-two
minutes when Matt Bennett lost the ball out on the Vale right and they got into
the box but the danger was cleared.
Four minutes later, John Johnston headed the
ball back across the goal from a Conor Browning cross after some good play from
Jared Willet and Gareth Turner on the right but the ball was cleared.
Rossvale
were starting to come into the game a bit more and Jordan Cairnie had to head a
ball clear from the goal area on twenty-eight minutes.
It should have been 2-0 to Winton
on thirty-two minutes when an unmarked John Johnston headed wide of the goal
from a Lee McCrea left wing cross following some good play by him and Matt
Bennett.
Conor Browning and Jared Willet then linked up well
in the thirty-eighth minute but Browning fired over the bar.
Vale wasted a good chance to equalise with
three minutes to go to half time when they won a free kick on the edge of the
box.
They had broken up the park after Rovers
lost the ball deep in the visitors half.
However Fraser Team fired his free kick over
the bar.
Just before half time, Craig Breen cleared an effort
off the line and the half ended 1-0 to Winton.
Vale
had caused Rovers problems in the first half with their running
and fighting for every ball and on forty-six minutes they should have equalised
after a slack pass in the defence let in Fraser Team but he shot weakly into
Kenny Pollock’s arms.
There was then chances for Jared Willet and
Ben Carson, from a free kick, before a poor clearance fell to James Beattie but
he shot tamely wide of the post from a good position on fifty-two minutes.
Fraser Team did exactly the same thing a
minute later after Rovers had lost the ball and the visitors broke quickly up
the park.
Tony McDermott then headed a corner wide
before Ian Cashmore replaced an injured Matt Bennett on fifty-nine minutes.
In
the sixty-fourth minute Jordan Bowhill in the visitors’ goal then made a good
save from a John Johnston shot after Ian Cashmore had headed on a long throw-in
from the right to him.
From the resulting corner, Bowhill made a
comfortable save from a Robbie Cochrane header.
On seventy minutes, Ian Cashmore saw his
header from a Jared Willet cross hit a defender and go out for a corner.
Winton then brought on Darren Miller for
Jordan Cairnie who had taken a knock and Larry McMahon for Jared Willet.
It
could have been 2-0 in the seventy-fifth minute when some good play between
Larry McMahon and Conor Browning ended with a poor header by Ian Cashmore from
Browning’s cross.
Rossvale then made a couple of changes before
Bowhill made another good save this time from a Conor Browning shot from the
edge of the box.
Ian Cashmore picked up a booking a couple of
minutes before Rossvale shocked Rovers with an equaliser in the eighty-seventh
minute when Yami Misanjo ran on to a long ball to the edge of the box got
between two defenders and scored from just inside the box to make it 1-1.
A
couple of minutes later, Kenny Pollock had to make his first real save of the
game from a free kick from substitute Chris Gordon as Vale pushed for the
winner.
Rovers could still have won the game in time added
on.
Firstly Larry McMahon ran onto a long ball down the
left before laying the ball off to Ian Cashmore who instead of taking the ball
on himself played a return ball but Larry had not continued his run and the ball
ran out for a goal kick.
In the dying moments, Ian Cashmore was just
unable to get his head to a John Johnston cross from the left and the ball hit
the far post and was cleared.
So
it was then on to penalties.
Rossvale converted their five giving Kenny
Pollock no chance with any of them and while Ben Carson, Ian Cashmore, Craig
Breen and Conor Browning all scored theirs Bowhill saved Darren Miller's kick to
win the shoot-out 5-4.
This
was another penalty kick defeat but we should have had the game won long before
they equalised.
Up next is the Medda at
Winton
Park on Wednesday 13th.
Kick-off is at 7pm.
Winton Rovers Website, 9 May 2015
WINTON
ROVERS 0 -IRVINE MEADOW 3
The biggest crowd of the season turned up at a sunny
Winton
Park to see if the home side could claim another
Premier Division scalp after knocking out Glenafton Athletic and Auchinleck
Talbot in previous rounds of the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup.
Darren Miller and Larry McMahon were cup-tied
and Ryan Caddis was still serving his suspension.
Billy Gilmour made his first start for a
number of weeks.
The
first fifteen minutes or so were fairly even without either side creating any
real chances.
The first chance fell to the Medda in the
twentieth minute when Gary McCann ran into the box but Lee McCrea, playing at
left back again, made a good block and the ball was cleared out for a
Winton throw-in off of McCann.
Two minutes later, a weak punch from Michael
Wardrope from a free kick dropped to Ryan Deas but his shot hit a Meadow player
and was cleared.
Rovers created their first
real chance on twenty-six minutes when Shepherd made a comfortable save from a
Gareth Turner header following a good run and cross by Jared Willet out on the
right.
The
Rovers’ goal had a narrow escape on the half-hour when Michael
Keenan headed a corner across the face of the home goal.
On thirty-four minutes, Winton
almost took a surprise lead when a free kick from Craig Breen was misjudged by
Keenan whose header went behind him and Shepherd did well to get down and grab
the ball at the base of the post.
At this stage, it was end-to-end action and
although there were no real chances for either side Winton were
competing well.
Five minutes from half-time Billy Gilmour had
a shot saved by Shepherd just before Meadow took the lead in forty-two minutes.
A cross from the left wasn’t dealt with by the
defence and a header hit the left post.
Paul Maxwell reacted most quickly to head the
rebound home for 1-0.
The last action of the half saw Craig Breen
pick up a booking.
Rovers’
hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a blow just three minutes into
the second half when Craig Breen was dispossessed and the ball was played to the
right edge of the box where Lee McCrea challenging for the high ball only
managed to direct the ball goalwards over Michael Wardrope and into the net off
the underside of the bar for 2-0.
The Medda had the ball in the net again in the
fiftieth minute when after Michael Wardrope spilled a free kick but Ryan Deas
effort from the loose ball was ruled out for offside.
The visitors were now on top in the match and
Kyle Maxwell had a long range shot which was comfortably saved by the home
keeper.
Rovers
hit back on fifty-five minutes and both Jared Willet and Gareth Turner just
failed to connect with a good Lee McCrea cross.
A minute later, Gareth Turner fired across the
face of the goal after some good play by Jared Willet.
Shepherd then had to come off his line to
block a chance for Jared Willet after he had run onto a good ball into the box.
Matt Bennett then replaced Ben Carson.
There
was another chance for the visitors on sixty-one minutes after Gareth Turner
lost the ball on the halfway line to McCann who went down the right before
crossing to Deas but his shot from the edge of the box went wide.
Billy Gilmour then picked up a booking before
Winton were denied a stonewall penalty which could have changed
the game.
Jared Willet had done well to get to the line
out on the left before crossing the ball which clearly struck a defender’s hand
but the referee and linesman ignored the appeals.
As
it was, it was Meadow that got a third goal in very dubious circumstances in the
sixty-eighth minute.
Jordan Cairnie went down in the Meadow box
with a head knock following a Winton corner.
For some reason, the game was not stopped and
Meadow broke up the park and although Chris Hall’s shot from the edge of the box
hit the far post the rebound was put away by Deas who was apparently offside.
Despite the protests and the referee finally
noticing Cairnie still down in the box and speaking to the stand-side linesman,
the goal stood.
The referee then appeared to show a Meadow
defender a yellow card twice - firstly as the player walked away from him then
secondly after he had called the player back.
The
game more or less petered out after this with only long range shots from Jordan
Cairnie and Ian Cashmore to show for Rovers who ended the game with ten men
after Billy Gilmour received a second yellow card in the eighty-sixth minute.
It
wasn’t to be this time and, although Meadow were the better side and deserved
their win, it may have been different if we got a penalty at 2-0 and the third
Meadow goal had been disallowed.
This is the first game Winton
have failed to score in since the loss at Kilbirnie in the Ardagh Cup in August
so it has been a great season despite the last few results.
The
teams were
Winton Rovers - Michael Wardrope, Craig Breen, Lee McCrea, Jordan
Cairnie, Robbie Cochrane, Billy Gilmour, Ben Carson, John Johnston, Jared
Willet, Gareth Turner and Conor Browning with substitutes Matt Bennett, Ian
Cashmore, Calvin Smith and Kenny Pollock.
Irvine
Meadow - Graham Shepherd, Grant Evans, Mark Sideserf, Mark Staunton, Mark
Twaddle, Michael Keenan, Gary McCann, Kyle Maxwell, Paul Maxwell, Chris Hall and
Ryan Deas with substitutes Robbie Halliday,
Tony
McParland and Lee Thompson.
Winton Rovers Website, 13 May 2015
WINTON
ROVERS FUN DAY
The Winton Rovers Fun Day is
becoming a ‘must do’ in the calendar of Three Towns spring and summer events –
and this year it promises to be the biggest and best ever!
The fun gets going at midday on Saturday 30
May with a grand opening march-in led by Largs Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band and VIP
guest Paul Stevenson of Paul Stevenson Funeral Directors in Saltcoats.
Paul will deliver a welcoming speech to
officially open the event that will include all the usual stalls, kiddie rides,
face painting, beat the goalie and fun fair.
The school football tournament will be kicked
off at 12.30pm by the Whitlees Gala Queen and the ever-popular dog show starts
at 1pm.
A display of dancing by a troupe from the Whitlees
Centre at 1.30pm will be a warm-up to the crowning of this year’s Gala King and
Queen at 2pm.
Highlights this year will be a fun run round
the Castle Hill for all the family and a bit of groaning and grunting in the tug
o’ war.
Local band Sunny Daze and Restless Nights will be
playing foot-tapping beats between 2pm and 4pm and a bar will open from 12pm to
4pm.
It’s all free but donations are appreciated. Winton
Vice-Chairman Pat Breen says the weather will be fantastic – so get yourself
along to the Winton Rovers Fun Day!
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
20 May 2015
District
League champions Ardrossan Winton Rovers are hoping for a place
in the final after being reinstated to the Evening Times Cup.
Winton lost out to Rossvale
on penalties in the preliminary round tie at
Winton
Park last month.
They lodged a complaint to the Scottish Junior
Football Association that the visitors had used three unregistered players and
the case was upheld.
This meant the Central League Division Two
champions were eliminated from the competition and Winton went
through in their place.
Chris Strain senior’s side will now face a
semi-final showdown away to Blantyre Victoria or Bellshill Athletic, almost
certainly on Monday 8 June.
The manager welcomed the decision and said
“They used three ineligible players and you have to follow the rules.
We had a few players out through suspension
and work but we knew they could not be used.
We had a lot of chances that day although we
lost the match and it’s good to be back in the competition.
We have a big incentive to go through as we
would be in a final and I won the Evening Times Cup three times with Irvine
Meadow.”
Preparations are now underway for the tie and Strain
added “The guys have been having a bit of a break but we will organise three
training sessions between now and the game.”
Winton chairman Dougie Rae
added “It’s good to have another bite at the cherry in the Cup but it will be
good to get the season out of the way so we can make plans for next season.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
27 May 2015
WINTON AIM FOR PLACE IN TOP FINAL
More glory targeted by
Rovers
by Stewart McConnell
Fired-up
Ardrossan Winton Rovers midfielder Gareth Turner hopes to add
another silver lining to an already successful season as he gears up for a major
semi-final next week.
The midfield general, who is on loan from
Troon, recently secured his seventh league winner’s medal with Winton.
That followed five successes with Irvine
Meadow and one with Troon.
Now he is looking to continue his impressive
personal record in the Evening Times Champions’ Cup as Winton
play Blantyre Victoria away in a last four tie next Monday night (8 June 2015).
The winners will play Auchinleck Talbot or
Pollok in the showpiece final at Glasgow’s Newlandsfield Park on Saturday 13
June.
Winton
were re-instated to the competition, despite losing out to Rossvale, after their
opponents were turfed out of the competition for an administrative error.
Turner is confident of success and said “The
boys all had a few days off but we have been in training this week and last and
the manager Chris Strain is stepping things up quite a lot and we have all been
working quite hard.
It would be a great way to end the season by
reaching a final and having the chance to win another trophy.
Hopefully, we can do that but we know it will
be tough as Blantyre are on a great run and the manager went along to watch them
on Monday night.
I won the Evening Times Cup three times with
Chris Strain at Irvine Meadow and it’s an important competition.
It would be a great way to end the season by
playing in the final.”
The player hopes to pen a deal which will see
him remain at Winton next season and said “I have spoken to the
chairman and manager and hopefully everything will be finalised in the next few
days.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
3 June 2015
Goalie
sent packing as Winton crash out
by Stewart McConnell
Ten-man
Winton saw their hopes of adding silverware to the Ayrshire
District League title shattered. The
Ardrossan side were well beaten at Castle Park on Monday night
(8 June 2023). An early dismissal of
experienced goalkeeper Michael Wardrope left Chris Strain senior’s side facing
virtually an impossible task against the Central First Division winners as their
season ended on an anti-climax. Just five
minutes into the match, home wideman, David Galt, was brought down inside the
box by Matthew Bennett and referee Stephen Browning pointed to the spot - and to
compound Winton’s misery, Wardrope was red-carded for protesting at the award of
the spot kick. Striker Ian Cashmore was
hooked off and back-up goalkeeper Kenny Pollock could only look on in despair as
Mark Thomson beat him from the penalty spot.
Winton,
however, somehow found hope in adversity as they levelled in 38 minutes.
Conor Browning fired in a shot which was
parried by home goalie John Cassidy towards Ben Carson who nipped in to net from
close range. John Johnston then made a
goal-line clearance to foil Craig Smith. On
the stroke of the interval, the hosts seized the initiative when Smith picked up
a pass from David Galt and slammed the ball beyond Pollock and into the net.
Six minutes after the break, Galt surged down the left and cut inside
before sending a strong effort into the net. On
the hour, Smith netted with an opportunist goal then it was 5-1 as defender Andy
Sinclair pushed forward to nudge the ball beyond Pollock and into the net.
Late on, Morton on-loan ace Jordan
Cairnie headed home a corner-kick to net a consolation for Winton
but it was too little, much too late, as Blantyre booked a final showdown with
Auchinleck Talbot or Pollok on Saturday (13 June 2015) at Newlandsfield Park.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
10 June 2015
CADDIS IS WINTON’S TOP MAN
Skipper Ryan
Caddis won a hat-trick of awards at the Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Player of the Year dance on Saturday (13 June 2015).
He was the Top Goalscorer for the District
League champions after bagging 33 goals and also landed the Players’ Player of
the Year and Club Player of the Year gongs.
Jared Willet was voted the Young Player of the
Year and John Johnston secured the Supporters’ Player of the Year accolade.
The event was held in Ardrossan Indoor Bowling
Club.
DOUGIE RAE
STEPS DOWN AS WINTON CHAIRMAN
Long-serving
Ardrossan Winton Rovers chairman Dougie Rae has surprisingly
stepped down after five years in the role.
Local businessman Pat Breen has taken over as
chairman for a second time and this week, the new supremo paid tribute to his
predecessor.
Rae indicated his intention to step down
before Monday night’s committee meeting following a successful spell which
culminated in title glory under manager
Chris Strain senior.
The club had previously secured promotion
earlier in Rae’s tenure when Derek Frye was in charge.
Treasurer Gillian
McGraa also resigned after two years in the role and Donald Reid has taken over
that position.
Breen, who was previously chairman and
assistant manager at the club during the 1990s, said “I can confirm that Dougie
Rae has resigned as chairman.
He was here for five years and had always said
it was a five-year plan.
He felt he had taken the club as far as he
could.
Dougie helped take the club to the next level and we
would like to thank him for his service.
I look forward to serving as chairman and we
will do our best to support the manager in his desire to win us promotion again
next season.
Money will be made available for players.
We are working on the pitch, which is being
verti-drained and re-seeded and we should have a good playing surface next
season.
We will also do some tidying up in the ground,
including weeding.”
Meanwhile the club is facing a major on-the-field
blow with experienced striker Ian Cashmore linked with a return to previous club
Kilwinning Rangers.
Manager Strain senior said “Ian is out of
contract but he has been made an offer and it’s up to him if he accepts it.”
Strain is hoping to add two new players to his
squad in time for the new season and is looking around to see who is available.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
17 June 2015
WINTON
STRIKER TO LEAVE?
Legendary striker Ian Cashmore looks poised for a
third spell at Kilwinning Rangers as he has unfinished business at his hometown
club.
The veteran targetman, who helped guide
Ardrossan Winton Rovers to title success last season, is five goals
short of the 100 milestone at Abbey Park - and he is understood to be on the
club’s radar following their promotion back to the Super First Division.
Former
Ayr United and Stranraer striker Cashmore won the Premier Division more than a
decade ago in his first incarnation at Abbey Park then three seasons ago he
bagged a barrowload of goals to help them clinch the Stagecoach Ayrshire
District League title.
Buffs co-boss Colin Stewart would not confirm
any of the targets but said “We will be making quite a few changes and bringing
in five or six new faces.”
Winton are still searching
for new players as they gear up for the Super First Division campaign.
Boss
Chris Strain senior said “It will be a tough league with Clydebank and Cumnock
coming down and Shettleston spending a lot of money so we are looking to
strengthen the squad and add in two or three new players.”
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald,
24 June 2015
Two
Ardrossan Winton Rovers stalwarts have been honoured with Long Service
Awards to Scottish Junior Football.
Tony Da Prato and Sam Morrison were both
saluted for their efforts at the Scottish Junior Football Association’s annual
general meeting in Perth on Saturday (13 June 2015).
Tony has served over forty-one years with
Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
He has been part of both the Ayrshire District
Region Committee, where he was President and the Scottish National committee,
and is a life member of the Scottish Junior Football Association.
He has served as chairman, treasurer and
secretary at Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
Tony also serves as a linesman and often meets
a barrage of disbelief from fans, committee and management of the Rovers
with his decisions against them over the years with a disarming smile.
Sam Morrison served the club as secretary
and treasurer from the early 1980s and was recognised as providing service of
more than thirty-five years to the club.
The long-standing Winton
anchor played a pivotal role in ensuring the club’s survival in the 1990s when
he served as chairman. Both Sam and Tony are directors of Ardrossan
Winton Rovers Community Sports Club who act as trustees for
Winton
Park.
Winton Rovers are still searching for new players as they gear up for
the Super First Division campaign.
Boss Chris Strain senoor said “It will be a
tough league with Clydebank and Cumnock coming down and Shettleston spending a
lot of money. We
are looking to strengthen the squad and add in two or three new players.”
by Stewart McConnell
Highly-rated
veteran striker John Bradford has been snapped up by District League champions,
Ardrossan Winton Rovers, to become their first summer signing.
The targetman was with Kilwinning Rangers last
season and is set to be reunited with manager Chris Strain senior who signed him
for Irvine Meadow seven years ago - but while hoping to further add to his
squad, the Winton boss will not be rushing into anything.
Strain is delighted to have former Cumnock,
Arthurlie and Ayr United man Bradford at the club and said “John has so much
experience in the game and scored very important goals for Kilwinning last
season.
He can hold the ball up really well and is also a
goalscorer.
I signed him for Irvine Meadow and know he’s a
quality player.”
Larry McMahon and Calvin Smith have left the club to
join Largs Thistle and Saltcoats Victoria respectively.
Asked about further signings, Strain senior
said “I am looking to add in another couple of players and defenders are the
priority - but we need good players.
There’s no point bringing guys in for the sake
of it.
People must have patience as it’s important to bring
the right type of player here.
We
are looking around to see who is available.”