United prove a handful for powerful Whittlets

Whittlets Victoria 0 Cumbernauld United 0

Stagecoach West of Scotland Super League, Division One

DAM Park, Ayr should have been renamed Damp Park on Saturday. Persistent rain and a crossfield wind had conditions pretty difficult for either side to play with any real consistency and limited them in attempting to produce any real football. However, credit to both teams for their ability to give the spectators at least an interesting game to watch.

With six named subs United really had a bunch of walking wounded and this limited their chance to put on fresh legs when needed.

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The home side, big and powerful, still found United a handful and Kevin Watts playing wide right was proving a handful with his runs up that flank. The first half was pretty evenly contested and United were denied a goal when Paul Thomson ran on to a through pass only to find keeper Douglas race out and narrow Paul’s angle. His shot went narrowly past the open goal. Vics also had a few opportunities but never really gave United keeper Davie Buchanan much to worry about. So, level at half time and the small band of United supporters were hoping for the goal that might just be the key to gaining three valuable points.

The second half saw the Cumbernauld lads run themselves into the ground and put lots of pressure on the Vics defence. Renwick, Barclay, Watts and Thomson all had efforts at goal but no success. The home side were still a danger when attacking on the break and in a nailbiting finish Davie Buchanan pulled off a brilliant save to give United a valuable point in their bid to escape relegation, with a final score of 0-0.

This Saturday is decision day when United play Kilwinning Rangers at Guys Meadow, where three points will ensure their stay in the super first division. They really deserve to stay up as United have been a match for the top four in the Division and lost only once in their jaunts into Ayrshire this season. A good turn out of local support would be appreciated to give the lads a real boost. Kick off is 2pm as usual.

WHITTLETS VICTORIA: Douglas, Buchanan, Friel, Longair, King, Sanders, Kerr, McMahon, Main, Balfour and Davidson. Subs: Cameron, McKissock, Paterson and Lyle.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Hayman, McKay, Marsh, Dearie, Renwick, Barclay, Gibson, Watts, Thomson and Jarvis. Subs: Burns, McNally, Steele, Currie, McClymont and Brown.