Whitletts Match Reports
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 1 GREENOCK JUNIORS 1
This was a good workout for Vics against Superleague opposition in what proved to be a useful exercise for both sides.
With manager Steph McMillan on holiday, his assistant Jonathan Baillie took charge of the side and would have been happy with the performance of his team against tough opposition.
The Superleague side were first to threaten when striker John Carter broke free but fired wide of Jordan Callaghan’s near post.
And they paid the penalty within a minute when Vics new twin strikers, Tony Balfour and Michael O’Connor combined to give the Ayr side the lead. Balfour won possession as he robbed the defender 25 yards from goal and O’Connor took advantage to fire over the keeper from the edge of the box.
Vics were dealt a blow in the 13th minute when they lost the services of last seasons top scorer Neil McGinn who picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Bryan Paterson.
O’Connor then had a long range effort that dipped just past the angle and shortly afterwards Balfour failed to connect in front of goal with a Marc Cameron cross when it seemed easier to score as Vics looked threatening upfront.
But Jordan Callaghan was far from a spectator. As Greenock stepped up the pressure the former Craigmark keeper blocked a Thomas Docherty effort and moments later he dived full stretch to pull off a spectacular save to deny Carter.
The first period had been an entertaining affair but the second half took on a different perspective as both sides made changes. Greenock had the better of the exchanges but rarely threaten Jordan Callaghan’s goal but it seemed likely that an equaliser was on the cards and it came in the 66th minute when substitute Jamie Brown flicked the ball home fro a corner kick.
Vics’ response was almost immediate with trialist Stevie Kerr crashing the ball of the post after some good lead up play by Paterson. Minutes later O’Connor chip an effort from the edge of the box onto the roof of the net.
Meanwhile at the other end a long range snapshot from Greenock full back Martin Orr tested Callaghan.
But in the end the match petered out leaving both sides satisfied with the exercise as they prepare for the new season.
Whitletts Victoria 1 Callaghan 2. Longair (Simpson 60) 3. Lawrie 4. Buchanan 5. Holland 6 Cameron (Kerr HT) 7. Rodgers (Barr HT) 8. Boyle 9. McGinn (Paterson 13) 10. Balfour 11. O’Connor
Greenock 1. Shields 2. Orr 3. Doherty ( McCorkindale 75) 4. Irvine 5. Beckley 6. Docherty (Pieman 75) 7. Scott 8. Ellis 9. Carter (Bamford 75) 10. Boyd (McAfee 52) 11. McCormick (Brown HT)
Referee: Chris Graham
Whitletts Victoria kicked off their preparations for the new season with a hard fought 1-0 win over Ayrshire Amateur cracks Clark Drive in Irvine last Wednesday.
Vics newlook squad started strongly and dominated the early proceedings but missed a number of chances to give the Dam Park side the lead.
The Irvine amateurs came more into the game in the second period and created some chances of their own with Vics keeper Jordan Callaghan turning in a strong performance between the sticks before Vics finally scored the goal their play deserved when Bryan Paterson beat the home keeper with a near post shot.
Coach Jonathan Baillie was pleased with his sides display against a quality side. “After weeks of pre-season training it was good to finally get a game under our belts. Clark Drive are a good side and provided a good test. I thought we’d played well considering it was our first game of the season and would have won more comfortably had we taken our chances. Our improvement will continue the more games we play and the squad settles down.”
The Ayr club, who drew 1-1 with junior Superleague side Greenock on Saturday, continue their pre-season build up this Wednesday evening against local Ayrshire Amateur Premier Division new boys Tarbolton at Dam Park. Kick Off 6.45pm and entry to the game is FREE.
Whitletts then complete their pre-season build up with a match on Saturday away to Central junior side Johnstone Burgh at Keanie Park before they kick off the new season with a trip to Maybole in the Ardagh Cup on Monday 5th August.
This was a good workout for Vics against Superleague opposition in what proved to be a useful exercise for both sides.
With manager Steph McMillan on holiday, his assistant Jonathan Baillie took charge of the side and would have been happy with the performance of his team against tough opposition.
The Superleague side were first to threaten when striker John Carter broke free but fired wide of Jordan Callaghan’s near post.
And they paid the penalty within a minute when Vics new twin strikers, Tony Balfour and Michael O’Connor combined to give the Ayr side the lead. Balfour won possession as he robbed the defender 25 yards from goal and O’Connor took advantage to fire over the keeper from the edge of the box.
Vics were dealt a blow in the 13th minute when they lost the services of last seasons top scorer Neil McGinn who picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Bryan Paterson.
O’Connor then had a long range effort that dipped just past the angle and shortly afterwards Balfour failed to connect in front of goal with a Marc Cameron cross when it seemed easier to score as Vics looked threatening upfront.
But Jordan Callaghan was far from a spectator. As Greenock stepped up the pressure the former Craigmark keeper blocked a Thomas Docherty effort and moments later he dived full stretch to pull off a spectacular save to deny Carter.
The first period had been an entertaining affair but the second half took on a different perspective as both sides made changes. Greenock had the better of the exchanges but rarely threaten Jordan Callaghan’s goal but it seemed likely that an equaliser was on the cards and it came in the 66th minute when substitute Jamie Brown flicked the ball home fro a corner kick.
Vics’ response was almost immediate with trialist Stevie Kerr crashing the ball of the post after some good lead up play by Paterson. Minutes later O’Connor chip an effort from the edge of the box onto the roof of the net.
Meanwhile at the other end a long range snapshot from Greenock full back Martin Orr tested Callaghan.
But in the end the match petered out leaving both sides satisfied with the exercise as they prepare for the new season.
Whitletts Victoria 1 Callaghan 2. Longair (Simpson 60) 3. Lawrie 4. Buchanan 5. Holland 6 Cameron (Kerr HT) 7. Rodgers (Barr HT) 8. Boyle 9. McGinn (Paterson 13) 10. Balfour 11. O’Connor
Greenock 1. Shields 2. Orr 3. Doherty ( McCorkindale 75) 4. Irvine 5. Beckley 6. Docherty (Pieman 75) 7. Scott 8. Ellis 9. Carter (Bamford 75) 10. Boyd (McAfee 52) 11. McCormick (Brown HT)
Referee: Chris Graham
Whitletts Victoria kicked off their preparations for the new season with a hard fought 1-0 win over Ayrshire Amateur cracks Clark Drive in Irvine last Wednesday.
Vics newlook squad started strongly and dominated the early proceedings but missed a number of chances to give the Dam Park side the lead.
The Irvine amateurs came more into the game in the second period and created some chances of their own with Vics keeper Jordan Callaghan turning in a strong performance between the sticks before Vics finally scored the goal their play deserved when Bryan Paterson beat the home keeper with a near post shot.
Coach Jonathan Baillie was pleased with his sides display against a quality side. “After weeks of pre-season training it was good to finally get a game under our belts. Clark Drive are a good side and provided a good test. I thought we’d played well considering it was our first game of the season and would have won more comfortably had we taken our chances. Our improvement will continue the more games we play and the squad settles down.”
The Ayr club, who drew 1-1 with junior Superleague side Greenock on Saturday, continue their pre-season build up this Wednesday evening against local Ayrshire Amateur Premier Division new boys Tarbolton at Dam Park. Kick Off 6.45pm and entry to the game is FREE.
Whitletts then complete their pre-season build up with a match on Saturday away to Central junior side Johnstone Burgh at Keanie Park before they kick off the new season with a trip to Maybole in the Ardagh Cup on Monday 5th August.