Wedding present was just the tonic
Gaffer Ian misses nine goal thriller to get hitched
Ian Patterson got the best wedding present ever as Girvan came from 4- 2 down to seal a stunning win on the eve of their biggest game of the season.
Patterson missed the 5- 4 victory over Royal Albert to tie the knot with Claire Smith in Prestwick.
But the gaffer will be back in the dugout on Saturday when the Seasiders entertain Broxburn in the second prelim round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Patterson, whose best man was Troon boss Jonny Baillie, revealed: “I was getting score updates during the afternoon from some of the guests. The result turned out to be the best wedding present ever.
“Now we look forward to Broxburn and the potential to get a big senior club if we win – look what Auchinleck did in the cup last season.
“We were in disarray after the disappointment of getting relegated but we’ve signed a lot of new players and have started well.”
Robert Love and Craig Harvey ( penalty) fired Girvan 2- 0 ahead only for the hosts to score four. But after missing a penalty, Girvan blasted back through Harvey, Adam Caldwell ( penalty) and Alex Bell to scramble the win.
That came on the back of a 4- 2 midweek victory over Winton thanks to a Harvey hat- trick and a strike from Bell.
AUCHINLECK, who are hoping to repeat last season’s heroics in the William Hill Cup when they beat Ayr United before losing to Hearts, face a testing trip to Camelon but are fired by 20 goals in their last three games.
GLENAFTON head to leaders Pollok in the Premiership game of the day. Glens hit back from a 2- 0 midweek defeat at Hurlford to beat Cumnock 2- 1
CUMNOCK, who host second top Kilwinning, managed only a Graeme Ramage penalty in their defeat at Townhead Park. Jordan Kemoe and Alan Murdoch scored in a 2- 2 midweek draw with Largs.
TROON, who have slipped to third bottom, head to Benburb and bid to bounce back from a 4- 3 defeat at Kilbirnie.
Handball by Lewis Clark conceded an early penalty but a superb solo goal by Dean Fulton brought the equaliser.
Kilbirnie then led 4- 3 before Ryan Stevenson converted a penalty after Fulton was fouled. The hosts struck again but John Gemmell had the final say with a last minute consolation.
In the Championship, CRAIGMARK entertain Blantyre Vics after successive draws against Irvine Vics ( 3- 3) and Renfrew ( 1- 1).
WHITLETTS head to Arthurlie after leaking 10 goals in their last two games against Darvel and Auchinleck.
In League One, KELLO visit leaders Greenock after a 7- 0 home humbling by Lanark.
ANNBANK go to Muirkirk in League Two after a run of three straight wins ended with a 4- 1 defeat by Vale of Leven. Jordan Ryan scored for Bankies who have welcomed back former player of the year Lee Sloan from Girvan.
MUIRKIRK kept up their 100 per cent record by beating Yoker 1- 0 with a goal from 17- year- old Lennon Wight. And they did it despite playing a man short for 40 minutes.
MAYBOLE, who have signed Whitletts striker Jordan Baird on loan, entertain St Anthony’s after a 3- 0 defeat at Forth.