’Dale net four in good home win
CARRADALE kicked off their fourth league game still looking for their first points, but there was a steely determination from the outset from the Kintyre side and it took only four minutes for them to take the lead.
Young Ryan Blackstock pick pocketed the centre half 20 yards from goal as he ran in to the penalty area, unselfishly squared the ball to Gregor Croll, and from 14 yards the striker hit the ball high into the roof of the net.
The home side could have doubled their lead in the 13th minute; Stuart McBrayne slipped the ball through to Daniel Docherty, but he miscued his shot and it passed the post from 12 yards.
Carradale had only to wait seven minutes to get their second goal.
After good work down the left, the ball fell to McBrayne. He placed his shot passed the diving keeper from 10 yards and could not hide his delight at scoring his first goal for Carradale, who are sponsored by Andrew Smith and Son.
The visitors were playing good football from the back and had a lot of possession but their outfield play never tested Neil McMillan in goal.
Versatile
The home side extended their lead in the 36th minute. Docherty picked the ball up from the inside right position, and 25 yards from goal the versatile player shrugged of three challenges as he ran towards the goal. At the last second the ball seemed to run away from him but he stretched every muscle in his body to toe poke the ball underneath the out-rushing keeper’s body into the net, making it three, nil for the home side.
The Greenock team started the second half on a positive note showing willingness to go forward and having good possession, but unfortunately they left their shooting boots at home.
This play suited Carradale who were comfortable at the back with Ewan McIlroy marshalling his defence.
In the 68th minute Blackstock had a great chance to make it four. A slide rule pass from David Johnstone put him clear but his shot went straight down the keeper’s throat. However, the Kintyre side did make it four in the 75th minute.
With his first touch of the ball after coming on as a sub, Declan Wilson nutmegged the full back, slipped the ball to McBrayne, who, just inside the box, turned and hit a low shot from 16 yards across the keeper coming off the inside of the post and into the net. Not long after McBrayne was unlucky not to get his hat trick when a powerful header scraped the crossbar following a corner from Kenny Kerr.
The match ball was sponsored by Archie McKellar, MOTM, Daniel Docherty and next week’s fixture is an away tie to Cardross in a group stage match in the league cup.