Rob Roy lose out in relegation battle

Shotts Bon Accord 4

Rob Roy 1.

West of Scotland Premier League Play-Off (Second Leg) Thursday, 5th June 5 2014

Game played at Greenfield Park, Shettleston, due to Hannah Park (Shotts) being waterlogged.

Rob Roy will be playing in the Super First Division next season having been relegated by a Shotts side playing with far more commitment and desire.

In the end, the Adamslie Park side can have no complaints with the outcome. It took fully 10 minutes before either side produced anything of note, with Wharton testing Rabs keeper Connolly with a 30 yard drive.

Pressure from Rabs saw them win a number of corners and free-kicks, but they couldn’t break down a solid Shotts defence.

And it was Shotts who seized the initiative in the 28th minute when Connolly came out to collect and missed a lofted ball into the penalty box. The ball was switched to Jack Marriot and he netted easily from close range.It was a goal the game desperately needed.

Minutes later Moffat cleared a Cross shot off the Rabs goal-line, as Shotts pressed for a second goal.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle Connolly made a stunning one handed save from Walker, but from the resulting corner he could do nothing about the towering defender’s powerful header from a few yards out to double his side’s advantage.

Rabs grabbed a lifeline a minute after the break when, from a Deas free-kick, Duff headed the ball past keeper Whyte.

The goal spurred Rabs on, Martin had a good effort blocked before Walker headed a Deas corner from his own goal-line as Rob Roy attempted to claw their way back into contention, although their out-field play lacked creativity and was often disjointed.

Mid-way through the second half Shotts increased their lead and effectively sealed the game when Connolly failed to deal with Wharton’s long throw in giving Walker the chance to power a header of real quality into the Rabs net.

Victory was clinched in the 72nd minute for the Lanarkshire side.

With the Rabs defence appealing for offside Canning ran through, rounded Connolly, and fired into the vacant net.

In the latter stages of the match Rabs mounted a number of attacks which came to nothing, but by this time they looked a well beaten team.

Rob Roy;- Connolly, Brogan, McKenzie (Morton 65), Watt, Moffat, Duff, Sawyers, Team, Deas, Martin, Mitchell (Hunter 45). Unused Subs;- S Wilson, Maxwell and Ronald.