Dismal start goes on

Rutherglen ............ 2 Darvel Juniors ....... 4

The Glens poor start to the season continued as they went down to a 4-2 defeat to newly promoted Darvel.

It was the first-ever league meeting between the sides, and Vale’s first visit to Rutherglen for competitive action for 33 years, but they made sure their fans headed back to Ayrshire delighted.

Things looked very positive early in the match as Glens took the lead in the eighth minute. There was a touch of good fortune however, as Stewart Hall’s long ball forward bounced over keeper David Markey, who had came out to intercept,and into the empty net.

The lead wasn’t to last long though, as Glencairn defence’s vulnerability to cross balls came back to haunt them yet again only two minutes later. A cross from the left saw Jamie Henderson rise to head the ball home.

And all of the early optimism for Glencairn was quickly disappearing as Vale struck again in the 16th minute after a ball dropped over the top of left-back Dempsey for Mark Armour to control, cut inside and curl a shot home.

Darvel increased their lead in the 33rd minute when Craig McGregor was pulled out of position and Armour’s cross found Kenny Parris who scored with his head to make it 3-1.

The game seemed to be over as a contest in the 41st minute as Darvel made it 4-1 with Jamie Henderson converting from inside the box.

The shell-shocked Glens emerged from the dressing room having made two substitutions and gave their fans hope straight away.

They pulled a goal back with their first attack when sub Sean McGuire cut the ball back for Smith to volley it in.

Darvel’s Robert Boyd was then sent off for fouling Jay McKay in the box but the striker saw his awarded penalty saved. The visitors now had a psychological edge after that miss and were happy to soak up the pressure to hold out for the three points.