McBookie Super League Premier Division
ARTHURLIE 1
GIRVAN 1
by Matt Speirs
Pictures by Robert Burns
GIRVAN's first-ever match in the Super Premier Division ended in stalemate with the points shared at Hamilton Park.
The opening exchanges saw the Super First Division champions on top and a Mark Doolan shot from 16 yards in 14 minutes flew just wide.
Three minutes later Darren Mitchell played in Marc Cameron, but he shot wide.
Arthurlie worked their way into the match and a free kick in 29 minutes flew over the bar.
The opening goal came in the thirty second minute and it went to Arthurlie with a shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net.
The lead did not last long as Girvan were level four minutes later when a Craig Reid cross found Doolan, who headed the ball into the net.
Two minutes later Jack McDowall broke into the box but a poor touch allowed the goalie to save.
Two minutes after the interval a long throw in from Reid found Darren Mitchell but his header flew over the bar.
Ten minutes later, a fine shot from a visiting player player rebounded from the post to safety.
A fantastic double save by Scott Johnston kept the scoreline level. His first save rebounded to an Arthurlie player but he turned his shot away for a corner.
Michael Reilly almost grabbed a second goal for Kilwinning but his 25-yard effort was deflected for a corner.
Nine minutes from time, Johnston produced another fine save, turning a header from eight yards onto the bar.
Jack McDowall had a chance to win the game in the last minute when he beat two defenders but his shot was straight at the keeper.
GIRVAN: Johnston, Reid, Doolan, Frame, Danny Cunningham, Mossie, Dinwoodie, M Cameron, Reilly, Mitchell, McDowall. Subs: David Cunningham, P Cameron,
Paterson, Auld, O'Donnell.
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