Renfrew 2 Whitletts 0
RENFREW 2 WHITLETTS VICTORIA 0
Two goals in a crazy five minute spell in the second half cost Vics dear in a match in which the Ayr side will feel they should have taken something from but when your luck is down, nothing goes in your favour!
With Jonathan Baillie taking the team until new manager Steph McMillan completed his ban at the end of the month, Vics lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Eliott Duffy restored to an attacking role alongside Michael Fulton and from the off took the game to the hosts on a heavy pitch.
Vics had the better of the first half although Darren Johnston prevented Vics from going behind with a superb save to deny Chris Zok as the 'Frew striker bore in on goal. But the better chances came at the other end. The pace of Duffy caused the hosts all sorts of problems but frequently the visitors were denied by the superb defensive display from former Ayr defender Iain Nicholson, whose reading of the game was outstanding. Yet Vics' did frequently breach the home defence with Duffy going close with a curling effort that flew just wide.
Alan Murdoch should have given Vics' the lead in the 35th minute with a free header from a corner that flew just wide but the games most controversial moment came right on half time when a clear handball by a 'Frew defender in the penalty area went unpunished as the referee chose to blow the half time whistle.
It was a similar story at the start of the second period and Graham Longair almost gave Vics' the lead when his deflected shot crashed back off the bar.
Renfrew reacted to that and hit the woodwork themselves moments laters as they began to take a grip on the game and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 58th minute. The warning signs had been there before but Vics' failed to heed those warnings as Nicholson rose unchallenged to power a header past Johnston.
The Vics' defence were rattled and five minutes later Renfrew went two ahead. Again Nicholson was left unmarked as a cross came into the box and his lay of set up the 'Frew substitute who netted from close range.
Vics' steadied the ship, although 'Frew were always dangerous on the break with Johnston making a couple of fine saves. Vics' though didn't throw in the towel and fought to get back in the game and Ayr United loan youngster Ryan McCubbin was denied a debut goal when the keeper tipped his header onto the bar.
Despite the result, this was a much better display from Vics' with young Dominic Boyle outstanding in his midfield role, giving new boss Steph McMillan something to work with when he steps into the dugout
Whitletts Victoria 1. Johnson 2. McKissock 3. Main 4. King 5. Murdoch 6. Longair 7. McCubbin ( Barr 80) 8. Boyle 9. Duffy (Murphy 75) 10. Fulton (Walker 75) 11. Paterson
Two goals in a crazy five minute spell in the second half cost Vics dear in a match in which the Ayr side will feel they should have taken something from but when your luck is down, nothing goes in your favour!
With Jonathan Baillie taking the team until new manager Steph McMillan completed his ban at the end of the month, Vics lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Eliott Duffy restored to an attacking role alongside Michael Fulton and from the off took the game to the hosts on a heavy pitch.
Vics had the better of the first half although Darren Johnston prevented Vics from going behind with a superb save to deny Chris Zok as the 'Frew striker bore in on goal. But the better chances came at the other end. The pace of Duffy caused the hosts all sorts of problems but frequently the visitors were denied by the superb defensive display from former Ayr defender Iain Nicholson, whose reading of the game was outstanding. Yet Vics' did frequently breach the home defence with Duffy going close with a curling effort that flew just wide.
Alan Murdoch should have given Vics' the lead in the 35th minute with a free header from a corner that flew just wide but the games most controversial moment came right on half time when a clear handball by a 'Frew defender in the penalty area went unpunished as the referee chose to blow the half time whistle.
It was a similar story at the start of the second period and Graham Longair almost gave Vics' the lead when his deflected shot crashed back off the bar.
Renfrew reacted to that and hit the woodwork themselves moments laters as they began to take a grip on the game and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 58th minute. The warning signs had been there before but Vics' failed to heed those warnings as Nicholson rose unchallenged to power a header past Johnston.
The Vics' defence were rattled and five minutes later Renfrew went two ahead. Again Nicholson was left unmarked as a cross came into the box and his lay of set up the 'Frew substitute who netted from close range.
Vics' steadied the ship, although 'Frew were always dangerous on the break with Johnston making a couple of fine saves. Vics' though didn't throw in the towel and fought to get back in the game and Ayr United loan youngster Ryan McCubbin was denied a debut goal when the keeper tipped his header onto the bar.
Despite the result, this was a much better display from Vics' with young Dominic Boyle outstanding in his midfield role, giving new boss Steph McMillan something to work with when he steps into the dugout
Whitletts Victoria 1. Johnson 2. McKissock 3. Main 4. King 5. Murdoch 6. Longair 7. McCubbin ( Barr 80) 8. Boyle 9. Duffy (Murphy 75) 10. Fulton (Walker 75) 11. Paterson