Rossvale go down at Kilsyth in opening game

The game started at a fast pace with both teams having chances in the opening moments.

A Franny Kelly free-kick for Kilsyth was on target but was turned around the post by Rossvale keeper Jamie Donnelly.

The resultant corner was cleared and the ball was collected by Kirk Forbes who sent Craig Holmes through on goal. But his shot was saved by the foot of Kilsyth keeper Andy Carlin and the danger was cleared.

Kilsyth took the lead after seven minutes when Scott Davidson curled a shot off the far post with Donnelly at full stretch. The ball fell kindly to Kelly who was allowed to turn in the box to drill a low shot past Donnelly and into the bottom corner.

Four minutes later ’Vale were two down when poor defending allowed Mark Flynn to curl a shot past Donnelly.

Kilsyth looked as if they knew the points were safe even after just 12 minutes but Rossvale got themselves back into the game after 24 minutes.

Erald Krasniqi did well to keep the ball and worked hard to pass through to Holmes who fired into the Kilsyth net.

It remained 2-1 at the break but early in the second period Rossvale looked the stronger team.

However they fell further behind on 54 minutes when the ball was cut back for Davidson to fire high into the net from just inside the penalty box.

The home side stretched their advantage on 64 minutes when Forbes lost possession in midfield and a mix-up between Sean Doherty and Steven Tart - which saw the latter go off injured - allowed Gary Kelly through on goal and he shot low past Donnelly.

The visitors pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when substitute Chris O’Brien made an immediate impact by running through the Kilsyth midfield into the penalty box and playing in youngster Gary Trussler who slotted past Carlin.

Rossvale pressed for another goal and were unlucky when Trussler head over from a long throw in.

But there was no further scoring and the point stayed in Kilsyth.

Next up for Rossvale is a home match with Dunipace on Saturday.