Ashfield F & A C 2 Girvan FC 1 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2pm


The Saracen Park turf survived the rain this week and looked splendid with the first ever meeting between Ashfield and Girvan kicking off in murky conditions. The three points today were valuable for both sides after an indifferent start to the season for the teams. Girvan started the better with a wind behind them and shot just wide after eight minutes. Ashfield responded a minute later with Craig Smith shooting over from twenty five yards after a weaving run.

Both sides were looking to play quick passing football with the visitors having the upperhand in the early stages. The 'Seasiders' almost opened the scoring after eleven minutes after a free kick was headed across the Ashfield goal but Prior saved well from a second header.

Ashfield then responded with a great period of play after twenty one minutes. Ryan Cairley who was influential all afternoon clipped the ball to Craig Smith on the edge of the Girvan Penalty box. Smith raced to the bye line and whipped over a great cross to the back post area where Ali Martin was lurking but his shot slid just wide of the post with good pressure from the Girvan Defender.

It was Ashfield that were now pressing for the opening goal. Craig Smith had a great chance after twenty three minutes but his shot from fifteen yards was well saved by the Girvan Keeper after a neat through ball.

Girvan looked very lively upfront and played some excellent passing moves and came close after twenty nine minutes with a vicious shot just flying wide of Prior's near post. The opening goal came shortly after and it was the vistors that claimed it. Girvan made the Ashfield defence to hurry and the ball was played back to Prior at speed. The Ashfield stopper could only slice his left foot clearance to the Girvan Midfielder who steadied himself before unleashing a volley from twenty yards that crashed into the net. Ashfield 0 Girvan 1.

Ashfield came back strongly after this setback with Cairley shooting wide after thirty eight minutes. Girvan had taken confidence from the opening goal and almost snatched a second after forty four minutes. Ashfield were caught out with a quick corner which was delivered into the Ashfield box, a scramble ensued and Prior had to save from almost point blank range to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

Ashfield had the last chance of the half with O'Donnell blasting a shot but the Girvan keeper got down well to save.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 0 GIRVAN 1

The second half commenced with rain fall making the surface even more treacherous. Girvan still looked a real threat and almost scored a second after fifty minutes. A poor pass was intercepted by the Girvan player who unleashed a 'rocket' of a shot that beat Prior but it crashed off the bar and over.

The woodwork was to come to the rescue again two minutes later but this time for Girvan. Craig Smith was sent clear down the right side of the penalty box and a 50/50 challenge with the Girvan Keeper resulted in the ball squirming off the base of the post and then cleared for a corner.


The 'Field' were now dominating the match pressing for the equaliser and again Craig Smith had a golden opportunity on the hour mark but his shot just missed the far post after good play from Thomson and O'Donnell. This did not deter Ashfield as they scored the equaliser two minutes later. A quick corner was played to the edge of the box with Ryan Cairley smashing the ball netbound only to see it blocked, but Mark Thomson capitalised from the blocked shot and stroked the ball low and hard into the net from fourteen yards. Ashfield 1 Girvan 1.

It was now end to end stuff with both sides looking for a winner. Girvan were awarded a free kick just outside the Ashfield box after sixty seven minutes. The Ashfield wall stood firm as the ball flicked off a shoulder and narrowly missed Prior's post for a corner.

The match entered the last ten minutes with both sides looking for a late winner and it looked as if Girvan had got it after eighty one minutes. A free kick was floated into the Ashfield box which was headered into the Ashfield net but the Assistant Referee had his flag up for offside.

This seemed to be a turning point even late on in the match and eventually a winner was scored with five minutes left on the clock. Darren O'Donnell received the ball deep in the Girvan half and swivelled before chipping a cross which two Girvan Defenders went for. The Defenders collided with the ball running to Tony Chalmers who calmly wrong footed the Girvan Keeper from eight yards. Ashfield 2 Girvan 1.

Girvan tried hard to force an equaliser but the Ashfield rearguard held firm to keep the points at Saracen Park.



FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 2 GIRVAN 1

Man of the Match:- A terrific performance against quality opposition with special mention for Darren O`Donnell, Ryan Cairley & Alistair Martin however Mark Thomson produced a real Captain`s Performance this afternoon scoring the equaliser.

Attendance:- 65 Approx.

Photographs by:- Inga