McBookie Super League First Division

GIRVAN 6

SHETTLESTON 1

by Matt Speirs

GIRVAN blew the promotion race wide open with this impressive victory over the league leaders.

Right from the kick-off the hosts went at their opponents and in 10 minutes it took a fine save by the the visiting goalie to deny Robert Paterson, with the

rebound being fired wide by Michael Reilly.

Fourteen minutes later, Reilly broke through but again the Shettleston goalie denied the big striker, turning his effort away for a corner.

The goal had to come and in 34 minutes following a scramble in the penalty area, Reilly netted from 10 yards.

Five minutes from the interval following some fine midfield play Jack McDowall doubled Girvan's advantage.

Two minutes later Scott Johnston was called into action, turning a close range header over the bar for a corner.

Right on half-time a David Jardine cross found Paterson with his back to the goal but he controlled the ball and sent a volley into the top corner of the net.

Two minutes after the interval, Reilly added a fourth goal when he shot across the keeper and into the net.

Shettleston pulled a goal back in 52 minutes, following a mix-up in the Girvan defence.

Five minutes later Girvan added a fifth goal as Michael Mossie got on the end of a David Jardine cross to head into net at the back post.

Girvan added a sixth goal in 63 minutes when a Shettleston defender turned the ball into his own net.

Eight minutes from the end substitute James Hilton almost scored his first goal for the club but his header went inches wide.

Two minutes from the end Shettleston had a player ordered off.

GIRVAN: Johnston; Reid, Doolan, Mossie, Frame, Dinwoodie, McDowall, Murphy, Reilly, Paterson, Jardine. Subs: Stevenson, Cameron, Hilton Ballantyne, McCreadie.