Kilbirnie Ladeside 4 Ashfield F & A C 2, Valefield Park, Kilbirnie - Kick-Off 2pm



Ashfield travelled to Ayrshire this afternoon to face Kilbirnie Ladeside in what was an entertaining ninety minutes with plenty of goals to please the 150-200 Spectators.

Valefield Park was basking in sunshine as the players entered the pitch. Kilbirnie were in their traditional Black and Gold Strip with Ashfield reverting to an all red outfit. The game started at a frantic pace and the home side looked to have broken the deadlock after two minutes from a deflected free kick but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Ashfield almost hit back straight away with Gordon Passmore floating a lovely ball to Craig Smith but the Kilbirnie Keeper raced out to thwart the Ashfield striker.

Craig Smith was in the thick of the action again after twelve minutes. The paceman picked the ball up deep in the opposition half and darted past his marker before cutting inside and unleashing a shot that went wide of the post.

Much of the match was being played in the midfield area with neither side giving much room. Kilbirnie should have taken the lead after fourteen minutes with their number 9 being sent through on goal but his volley went just over Prior's crossbar in the Ashfield goal.

This chance seem to spur on the 'Ladeside' as they stroked the ball around with confidence and the clock was on seventeen minutes when they opened the scoring. There seemed to be little danger as the ball was stroked to their number 6 approx twenty two yards out but the midfielder smashed the ball high into the top corner of the net before Prior could move. An excellent strike. Kilbirnie Ladeside 1 Ashfield 0.

This goal did not deter Ashfield though as great play from Fraser and Craig Smith after twenty four minutes resulted in Ryan Cairley entering the Kilbrinie box but the ball would not break for the Ashfield player and the danger was cleared.

Kilbirnie had the next chance after twenty six minutes from a corner kick. The ball was delivered into the Ashfield box and was met strongly by a Kilbirnie head but the ball just crept over the bar to the relief of the Ashfield defence.

Prior had to come to the rescue on the half hour mark brilliantly saving a header from five yards out to keep the scoreline at 1-0 after an excellent cross from the right hand side.

HALF TIME: KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1 ASHFIELD 0

The sun was still beating down as the second half started and again it was Kilbirnie that pushed forward and should have increased their lead after ninety seconds of the second half. Excellent wing play resulted in the ball being whipped in to the Ashfield six yard box which was met by the 'Ladeside' striker but again the ball flashed wide of the post from close range.

Ashfield then started to play the passing football they are known for and scored the equaliser after fifty three minutes. Mark Thomson fired in a cross which was challenged by the Kilbirnie keeper and Darren O'Donnell for Ashfield. The big Keeper could not hold onto the ball which fell to Craig Smith who volleyed the ball high into the net from seven yards. Kilbirnie Ladeside 1 Ashfield 1

The old cliche says that a team are always vulnerable after they have just scored and this was apparent two minutes later after the 'Field' had got themselves back into the match. A free kick was awarded to Kilbirnie which was whipped into the near post area. The Ashfield defence were static as the Kilbirnie number 9 darted in to head the ball into the net giving Prior no chance in the Ashfield goal. Kilbirnie Ladeside 2 Ashfield 1.

This goal seemed to unsettle Ashfield as Kilbirnie took control and scored a third after sixty three minutes. The Kilbirnie midfielder floated a ball high over the Ashfield defence which was met again by their number 9 who steadied himself before firing low past Prior and into the corner of the net. Kilbirnie Ladeside 3 Ashfield 1.

Ashfield to their credit still battled with O'Donnell firing over after seventy minutes and Fraser coming close a minute later only to see his netbound shot cleared for a corner.

Kilbirnie however were not quite finished and scored a fourth goal after seventy five minutes. Their substitute picked the ball up fully twenty five yards out and unleashed a bullet which Prior could only palm into the top corner of the net. Kilbirnie Ladeside 4 Ashfield 1.

Ashfield however saved the best till last and scored a brilliant goal after eighty five minutes. O'Donnell released Chalmers down the right wing. The ball was swung into the Kilbirnie box which was met by a scissor kick from Craig Smith. The crowd watched as the ball flew high into the net with help from the bar and post. A spectacular goal to end this game. Kilbirnie Ladeside 4 Ashfield 2.

Darren O'Donnell should have reduced the deficit even further in injury time but his header from close range shaved the Kilbirnie bar (We'll blame it on the jet lag Dazzler!!!).

The referee brought proceedings to an end with both teams drained in the Summer sun.

FULL TIME: KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 4 ASHFIELD 2

Man of the Match:- It was a great pre-season match today with both teams playing some neat football. Jamie Coll was very good at the back for Ashfield but Tony Chalmers gets today's award showing some brilliant touches and enthusiasm all afternoon.

Attendance:- Approx. 200

Photographs by:- Inga