Hurlford miss out on chances to win

Apr 17 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

AN own goal was all that separated these two sides on Saturday – but if the home side had taken any of their chances they could have had the game won.

Hurlford gaffer John Crawford said: “To lose due to an own goal, when we’ve had most of the pressure in the game, just sums up our season.

“We have some of the best players in the league, in terms of ability and experience, but for whatever reason it hasn’t worked this season.”

Hurlford started the game brightly and put in a much better performance than last week. They had most of the chances, certainly in the first half, and the first fell to Charlie Adams on 15 minutes.

Adams was put through by Gavin Brown and he broke into the box and forced the keeper into a one-handed save at his right hand post.

Brown himself then had a shot blocked, before Ryan Caddis saw his effort go past the post.

Darryl Nimmo brought off a good save from the keeper who had to dive low to his right to clear the danger.

Meanwhile Hurlford keeper Darren Wilson had very little to do, with the defenders clearing the long-range balls Maybole occasionally punted in.

Hurlford remained in control after the break, David Bagan popping up with an effort, which went narrowly past.

Adams had another chance to open the account when he wriggled free of his defender, but his shot hit the inside of the post and came out.

Then came the turning point of the game. Robert Burgess tried to clear a cross inside the Ford box, only to see his attempt trickle into the net.

Hurlford continued to spurn chances, with Brown coming closest, and had two strong penalty claims turned down, the first when a Maybole defender blocked a shot with his arm, and the second when Gary Russell was brought down in the box, sandwiched between two Maybole defenders. On both occasions the referee waved play on.

Said John Crawford: “We are not getting much luck at the moment and even the Maybole people agreed we had at least deserved a point from the game in terms of the effort put in.

“In saying that, you make your own luck and we didn’t take any of our chances, and in the end that cost us dear.”

This Saturday Hurlford are away to East Kilbride, starting a hectic eight-day spell, which sees them play four times.

Hurlford: Wilson, Burgess, McCaig, Lawless, McCluskey, Caddis, Nimmo, Russell, Bagan, Adams, Brown. Subs: Deeney, McGregor, Orr, Morrison, Doolan.