Rossvale '˜Knocked' out of West

In the first of two trips to Ayrshire on cup business - ’Vale head for Hurlford this Saturday in the Scottish Junior Cup - they were dominated and out muscled in virtually all departments as they suffered their first defeat since September 5.

The Super League side opened the scoring in 17 minutes when Rhys Donaldson’s sliding challenge on Aiden Malone just inside the Rossvale penalty area left the referee with no option but to award a spot kick and flash his yellow card in the direction of Donaldson.

Paul Burns made no mistake, sending Chris Calder the wrong way with a low driven effort to the ’keeper’s right.

Cumnock missed opportunities to increase their lead before half-time through Ross McNeil, Josh Watt and Del Esplin who came the closest with a right-foot effort from the edge of the area which crashed off Calder’s crossbar.

The second half started in the same vein, Malone flashing a header just wide of Calder’s right hand post.

But Cumnock did increase their advantage in 52 minutes. Watt’s cross from the left evaded Donaldson and Craig McGregor and fell to the feet of Raymond Montgomerie who was lurking at the back post and scored with a composed finish, despite Calder’s efforts to block.

Six minutes later Cumnock went three up when a corner was headed goalward by Kieren Wood and Malone nicked in to make sure from close range.

Rossvale only showed signs of what they are capable in the final 10 minutes but by then it was too late to alter the outcome.

Jamie Hunter came close with a right foot effort from just outside the Cumnock penalty area before Chris McQuade managed to reduce the Cumnock lead.

His left foot corner broke back out to him from the head of the Cumnock centre-half and a curling left foot shot could only be watched by all as it glided just inside Johnson’s right hand post.

But all in all a disappointing performance from Rossvale who will be hoping for better when they return to Ayrshire this week.