Whitletts Vics : Match Report
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 0 - SHOTTS BON ACCORD 1
An early penalty kick settled this encounter at Dam Park as Shotts ended Vics recent revival.
The game wasn’t a classic with clear cut opportunities a rare occurrence and over the piece the visitors just about deserved to take all three points.
The only goal of the game came in the ninth minute when Danny Burns went to ground on the penalty area and referee Ross Clark bemused almost everyone in the ground by pointing to the penalty spot. There was no doubt about the execution though as Alistair Martin drilled the ball past Scott Johnson from 12 yards.
Louis Kerr volleyed over for Vics after Shotts failed to clear a Sean Ewart cross and Kerr again had an attempt that Shotts keeper Derek Barnes did well to hold at his near post. Those two efforts sandwiched a Burns effort for the visitors that was block by Johnson.
Vics felt they should have had a penalty of their own when Jordan Boyd was fouled just inside the area but referee Clark adjudged the infringement to be just outside the box and the home side couldn’t capitalise from the resultant free kick but it was Shotts who finished the half strongest with Dean Sutherland firing over the bar with a similar outcome for Paul McGeough which a free header from close range.
Whitletts started the second half in a positive fashion, having the better of the exchanges and only the woodwork denied them an equaliser in the 50th minute when Louis Kerr headed a Martin Findlay cross against the post.
Neither goalkeeper was severely tested in the match although Johnson did well to block a McGeough shot with his feet.
Shotts had the better of the chances with Craig Hastings and Taylor Evans going close while Barry Eley should have done better with a free header in the closing moments.
Vics continued to strive to get back on level terms and at the death they almost got it when Ewart fizzed a cross across the face of the goal but Thomas Donovan couldn’t get enough on it at the back post to direct the ball into the net.
Whitletts Victoria
1. Johnson 2. Findlay 3. Ewart 4. I.Kerr 5. Walsh 6. Davidson 7. Reilly 8. Dyer 9. Boyd 10. Donovan 11. L. Kerr
Subs (not used) 12. Ogston 13. McColgan 14. Millar 15. Buchanan 16. Brown
Shotts Bon Accord
1. Barnes 2. Sutherland 3. Muir 4. Eley 5. Hunter 6. Martin 7. McWilliams 8. McGeough 9. Burns 10. Evans 11. J.Watt (Hastings 60)
Subs (not used) 14. Henderson 15. Malone 16. McCluskey 17. G. Watt
Referee: Ross Clark