Darvel lose with ten men

Apr 10 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

FOR the second week in a row, Darvel have lost by a single goal although this week they could have no complaints about the result.

Especially since manager George Grierson said his team didn’t deserve anything from the game after a lacklustre performance.

The home side had the majority of the pressure from the kick off with a strong wind at their backs.

The first goal came after 15 minutes, a ball was played across the Ardrossan 18 yard box and Frank Nolan took a swipe at it, missed it and the ball was picked up by a Winton man, who dashed up to the other end of the park, and scored.

Five minutes later Winton doubled their lead from a corner. the ball was put in and George Kelly tried to nod the ball past team mate Stewart in the goal, but struggling against the strong wind, he actually headed the ball into the net.

Into the second half and Darvel started to come into the game more, and manager George Grierson felt there still might be a chance to get something from the tie.

But then came the game’s moment of controversy. Darvel defender Steven Harvey clipped the heels of a Winton centre forward, bringing him down, and as the last man, it was a clear red card.

Unfortunately the ref appeared to make a huge mistake and sent off entirely innocent John Johnston off instead, despite protestations from Harvey himself, who admitted he had been the player involved.

Down to ten men and the pressure was really on for Darvel.

Their keeper Ross Stewart pulled off a magnificent save to give them a glimmer of hope when he got across to save a shot from five yards out.

With 10 minutes to go Chris Lynn scored Darvel’s only counter when he blasted in from 18 yards.

In the dying minutes, keeper Stewart brought down an Ardrossan striker in the box and to concede a penalty, but wasn’t red-carded for the offence, and duly saved the kick when it was eventually taken.

Darvel: Stewart, Harvey, Johnston, Sloss, Parker, Nolan, Roy, Bonner, Lynn, Kirkland, Kelly. Subs: McGhee, Martin, McIntyre, Black, O’Connor.