Match Report & News : Whitletts Victoria
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 1 - ARDEER THISTLE 3
Whitletts Victoria got the worst possible preparation for next week’ Scottish Junior Cup tie at Camelon next Saturday as they crashed to defeat in this vital league match to leave their promotion hopes hanging by a thread.
Whether next week's cup tie was on most of the players minds or whether it was simply Ardeer wanted it more but there can no complaints from the home camp about the outcome as Derek Cook’s charges deservedly took the points.
Vics’ got off to the worst possible start when Ardeer opened the scoring in the first minute. Indecision between Marc Cameron and Stevie Kerr deep inside their own half allowed Scott Reid to steal possession and from a cross from the right a static defence allowed Lee Munro to nip in front of Connor Simpson to head past Jordan Callaghan.
The home side were struggling to find any rythmn and Ardeer were seeking to take full advantage. From a corner kick Darren Miller saw his effort blocked while a Munro cross drifted just wide.
In the 12th minute an uncharacteristic error by Derek McCulloch set Derek Gemmell free and as Callaghan raced from his line the Thistle skipper's attempted lob drifted just wide.
Whitlett's first venture forward came in the 19th minute when from Lee Holland’s netbound header the ball appeared to be cleared off the line by the arm of a Thistle defender but much to the home side's protestations, referee Jordan Paterson waved aside their penalty appeals.
Shaun Allan then kicked fresh air when he was set up by a Michael O’Connor cross but although Whitletts were coming more into the game, the better chance fell to Thistle’s Darren Miller who fired wide from the edge of the box.
Ardeer up to now had kept the Vics’ strike partnership of Balfour and O’Connor very quiet but in 31st minute Balfour latched onto a through ball only for keeper Paul McCann to make a fine save from the little strikers effort.
Within a minute though Ardeer increased their advantage. A 35 yard Scott Reid free kick into the box deceived everyone, including keeper Callaghan who was distracted by a run across his line of vision and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Whitletts response this time was immediate as from kick off they broke upfield and from O’Connor’s pass, Shaun Allan fired across the face of the goal into the corner of the net, giving McCann no chance.
It was game on and instantly Ardeer almost restored their two goal advantage but the combined efforts of Connor Simpson and Jordan Callaghan denied Stephen Reid. Then at the other end O’Connor fired just over the crossbar.
The Ayr side started strongly in the second half and in the opening seconds Martin Lawrie fired just wide from the edge of the area. Whitletts were then given a great opportunity to equalise in the 53rd minute when Kevin Ramsay barged O’Connor inside the box giving referee Paterson no option this time but to point to the penalty spot. O’Connor dusted himself down to take the kick but his tame effort was easily collected by Paul McCann in the Thistle goal.
Five minutes later Scott Reid showed exactly how to take a spot kick after Lawrie had tripped Ramsay inside the box, sending Callaghan the wrong way from 12 yards.
Whitletts tried to respond. O’Connor fired past from distance and then in a similar move to Ardeer’s second goal, his free kick into the box caught out everyone and bounced back off the post but try as they might, Whitletts couldn’t find the way to goal as Thistle held on comfortably to stretch their winning league run to 10 games and give their own promotion hopes a major shot in the arm.
As for Vics, now they must concentrate on next week's Scottish Cup quarter final tie where much improvement will be required against the East Superleague cracks.
... OTHER NEWS ...
WHITLETTS APPOINT NEW COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Whitletts Victoria are delighted to announce the appointment of Tommy Adams as the Clubs’ Commercial Manager.
Mr Adams is a ‘weel kent’ face around the town and has many years of experience in a commercial role with Kilmarnock FC and will take up the role with immediate effect.
“Tommy is a popular figure around the town and is well known through his many activities in the pubs and clubs of Ayr where he has run disco’s and quizzes” said Club Vice Chairman, Andy McKissock
“However he has also has an important role in the commercial department at Kilmarnock FC and we will be looking to utilise his skills and experience to attract further support for Whitletts Victoria as we seek to develop the Club as a growing force in the junior game.”
Mr Adams stated that he was delighted with his appointment and was looking forward to the challenges ahead
“I have never been involved in junior football before but realise that the opportunities are entirely different in relation to marketing a senior football club but I have been impressed by the direction that the Board of Directors want to take the Club and their vision for the future.”
“As Ayr’s junior football club, I believe that there is real potential to develop something quite special here that could make Whitletts Victoria a real force in the junior game. There has been a lot of very good work done at the Club to date and I hope that the skills and experience that I can bring will continue that development and allow the Club to grow and develop further.”
ISOBEL HITS THE JACKPOT
Isobel Boyle became the first ever winner of the Lotto 4 Vics weekly draw, sponsored by Caledonian Windows when all four of her numbers were chosen by young Lucas Irvine last week, scooping the £1550 Jackpot.
Here Isobel, a Secretary with the NHS, was presented with her cheque by Whitletts Victoria Vice Chairman Andy McKissock.
LOTTO 4 VICS WEEKLY DRAW
This week's Lotto 4 Vics draw, sponsored by Caledonian Windows, was drawn by Peter Kean of Ardeer Thistle.
Peter pulled numbers 2, 12, 13 & 18 out of the bag. There was no ticket with all 4 numbers so next weeeks Jackpot is now £550
There were 16 consolation prize winners, each of whom win £25. They were:
M.Cunningham (Wee Man's), A.Lindsay (Blades), Y.McClelland (KG Hairdressers), M.Clark (D.Clark); J.Grieve (H.Campbell); G.Gibson (S.Allan); J.Dalton (J.Dalton); Maxi (I.McBride) J.Shields (J.Shields); I.Findlay (I.McBride), D.Clark (D.Clark); H.Drummond (J.Baillie), L.Garrick (S.Garrick), T.Caddis (I.McBride), S.Gilles (H.Campbell) and I.McBride (I.McBride)
Tickets for this weeks draw are now on sale. For a full list of tickets where you can buy your ticket, visit http://www.whitlettsvictoria.com/
SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Whitletts face a tough trip to Camelon on Saturday in the quarter finals of the Scottish Junior Cup after the East Superleague cracks overcame Sauchie by 3-1 in their replay at the weekend. The match kicks off at 2.30pm and entry is £6 adults and £3 concessions.
The Club are running a supporters bus to the cup tie at Camelon. There are only a few seats remaining. Priced at just £10 seats can be booked by contacting Mark on 07501 614 779. The bus will depart from McCabes at 11.30am, The Black Bull at 11.40am and from the Thistle Inn and the Red Stone Inn at 11.50am. Seats can also be booked at these venues. A £5 deposit will be required.
VICS’ RACE NIGHT
Whitletts Victoria have arranged a Race Night for Saturday 22nd March at Pro-Soccer in Ayr. First race is at 7.30pm and entry on the night is £5 Due to the re-scheduling of Vics’ Scottish Cup tie, the race night now starts after the team and supporters return from their trip to Camelon so it could be a good party night!
The Club would like to thank all our sponsors for the evening, GB Soundz (Troon), Tattoo Lounge (Prestwick), Pleasantfield (Prestwick), Ship Inn (Ayr), Gordon P Swan Roofing, Modway (Kilmarnock), Tommy Adams Promotions and Arena Office (Kilwinning)
Whitletts Victoria got the worst possible preparation for next week’ Scottish Junior Cup tie at Camelon next Saturday as they crashed to defeat in this vital league match to leave their promotion hopes hanging by a thread.
Whether next week's cup tie was on most of the players minds or whether it was simply Ardeer wanted it more but there can no complaints from the home camp about the outcome as Derek Cook’s charges deservedly took the points.
Vics’ got off to the worst possible start when Ardeer opened the scoring in the first minute. Indecision between Marc Cameron and Stevie Kerr deep inside their own half allowed Scott Reid to steal possession and from a cross from the right a static defence allowed Lee Munro to nip in front of Connor Simpson to head past Jordan Callaghan.
The home side were struggling to find any rythmn and Ardeer were seeking to take full advantage. From a corner kick Darren Miller saw his effort blocked while a Munro cross drifted just wide.
In the 12th minute an uncharacteristic error by Derek McCulloch set Derek Gemmell free and as Callaghan raced from his line the Thistle skipper's attempted lob drifted just wide.
Whitlett's first venture forward came in the 19th minute when from Lee Holland’s netbound header the ball appeared to be cleared off the line by the arm of a Thistle defender but much to the home side's protestations, referee Jordan Paterson waved aside their penalty appeals.
Shaun Allan then kicked fresh air when he was set up by a Michael O’Connor cross but although Whitletts were coming more into the game, the better chance fell to Thistle’s Darren Miller who fired wide from the edge of the box.
Ardeer up to now had kept the Vics’ strike partnership of Balfour and O’Connor very quiet but in 31st minute Balfour latched onto a through ball only for keeper Paul McCann to make a fine save from the little strikers effort.
Within a minute though Ardeer increased their advantage. A 35 yard Scott Reid free kick into the box deceived everyone, including keeper Callaghan who was distracted by a run across his line of vision and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Whitletts response this time was immediate as from kick off they broke upfield and from O’Connor’s pass, Shaun Allan fired across the face of the goal into the corner of the net, giving McCann no chance.
It was game on and instantly Ardeer almost restored their two goal advantage but the combined efforts of Connor Simpson and Jordan Callaghan denied Stephen Reid. Then at the other end O’Connor fired just over the crossbar.
The Ayr side started strongly in the second half and in the opening seconds Martin Lawrie fired just wide from the edge of the area. Whitletts were then given a great opportunity to equalise in the 53rd minute when Kevin Ramsay barged O’Connor inside the box giving referee Paterson no option this time but to point to the penalty spot. O’Connor dusted himself down to take the kick but his tame effort was easily collected by Paul McCann in the Thistle goal.
Five minutes later Scott Reid showed exactly how to take a spot kick after Lawrie had tripped Ramsay inside the box, sending Callaghan the wrong way from 12 yards.
Whitletts tried to respond. O’Connor fired past from distance and then in a similar move to Ardeer’s second goal, his free kick into the box caught out everyone and bounced back off the post but try as they might, Whitletts couldn’t find the way to goal as Thistle held on comfortably to stretch their winning league run to 10 games and give their own promotion hopes a major shot in the arm.
As for Vics, now they must concentrate on next week's Scottish Cup quarter final tie where much improvement will be required against the East Superleague cracks.
... OTHER NEWS ...
WHITLETTS APPOINT NEW COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Whitletts Victoria are delighted to announce the appointment of Tommy Adams as the Clubs’ Commercial Manager.
Mr Adams is a ‘weel kent’ face around the town and has many years of experience in a commercial role with Kilmarnock FC and will take up the role with immediate effect.
“Tommy is a popular figure around the town and is well known through his many activities in the pubs and clubs of Ayr where he has run disco’s and quizzes” said Club Vice Chairman, Andy McKissock
“However he has also has an important role in the commercial department at Kilmarnock FC and we will be looking to utilise his skills and experience to attract further support for Whitletts Victoria as we seek to develop the Club as a growing force in the junior game.”
Mr Adams stated that he was delighted with his appointment and was looking forward to the challenges ahead
“I have never been involved in junior football before but realise that the opportunities are entirely different in relation to marketing a senior football club but I have been impressed by the direction that the Board of Directors want to take the Club and their vision for the future.”
“As Ayr’s junior football club, I believe that there is real potential to develop something quite special here that could make Whitletts Victoria a real force in the junior game. There has been a lot of very good work done at the Club to date and I hope that the skills and experience that I can bring will continue that development and allow the Club to grow and develop further.”
ISOBEL HITS THE JACKPOT
Isobel Boyle became the first ever winner of the Lotto 4 Vics weekly draw, sponsored by Caledonian Windows when all four of her numbers were chosen by young Lucas Irvine last week, scooping the £1550 Jackpot.
Here Isobel, a Secretary with the NHS, was presented with her cheque by Whitletts Victoria Vice Chairman Andy McKissock.
LOTTO 4 VICS WEEKLY DRAW
This week's Lotto 4 Vics draw, sponsored by Caledonian Windows, was drawn by Peter Kean of Ardeer Thistle.
Peter pulled numbers 2, 12, 13 & 18 out of the bag. There was no ticket with all 4 numbers so next weeeks Jackpot is now £550
There were 16 consolation prize winners, each of whom win £25. They were:
M.Cunningham (Wee Man's), A.Lindsay (Blades), Y.McClelland (KG Hairdressers), M.Clark (D.Clark); J.Grieve (H.Campbell); G.Gibson (S.Allan); J.Dalton (J.Dalton); Maxi (I.McBride) J.Shields (J.Shields); I.Findlay (I.McBride), D.Clark (D.Clark); H.Drummond (J.Baillie), L.Garrick (S.Garrick), T.Caddis (I.McBride), S.Gilles (H.Campbell) and I.McBride (I.McBride)
Tickets for this weeks draw are now on sale. For a full list of tickets where you can buy your ticket, visit http://www.whitlettsvictoria.com/
SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Whitletts face a tough trip to Camelon on Saturday in the quarter finals of the Scottish Junior Cup after the East Superleague cracks overcame Sauchie by 3-1 in their replay at the weekend. The match kicks off at 2.30pm and entry is £6 adults and £3 concessions.
The Club are running a supporters bus to the cup tie at Camelon. There are only a few seats remaining. Priced at just £10 seats can be booked by contacting Mark on 07501 614 779. The bus will depart from McCabes at 11.30am, The Black Bull at 11.40am and from the Thistle Inn and the Red Stone Inn at 11.50am. Seats can also be booked at these venues. A £5 deposit will be required.
VICS’ RACE NIGHT
Whitletts Victoria have arranged a Race Night for Saturday 22nd March at Pro-Soccer in Ayr. First race is at 7.30pm and entry on the night is £5 Due to the re-scheduling of Vics’ Scottish Cup tie, the race night now starts after the team and supporters return from their trip to Camelon so it could be a good party night!
The Club would like to thank all our sponsors for the evening, GB Soundz (Troon), Tattoo Lounge (Prestwick), Pleasantfield (Prestwick), Ship Inn (Ayr), Gordon P Swan Roofing, Modway (Kilmarnock), Tommy Adams Promotions and Arena Office (Kilwinning)