Promotion hopes hit by loss to Darvel
GLENCAIRN ............................................. 0 DARVEL .................................................. 1
Glencairn suffered a blow to their promotion hopes as they fell to their first home defeat of the season against nine-man Darvel.
The big talking point of the match arrived in the ninth minute when Callum McKenzie of Darvel caught Del Esplin with a late tackle, prompting the referee to produce a red card.
Harry Mitchell’s diagonal run and shot then forced a fine save from Markey, but Glencairn were wasteful in their first half attacks and the home support were already beginning to think it was perhaps not their day.
Those fears increased in the 35th minute when Callum McRobbie rattled a shot off the underside of the crossbar.
With the extra man not having produced any tangible advantage, Glens’ formation was tweaked to 3-14-2 for the start of the second half.
Darvel gave a warning, though, as Hanvey drilled a shot narrowly over the bar from 25 yards.
McRobbie continued to be the most likely source of inspiration for Glencairn and his whipped cross flashed across the face of goal before Glens passed up another chance as Sean McGuire stabbed the ball wide of goal from 12 yards.
A goal seemed certain for Darvel when a deflected cross from the left came to Jamie Henderson in front of goal but somehow Whyte got over to make what was an outstanding save.
Esplin scuffed a volley wide before more good play by McRobbie set up McGuire in front of goal again, only for Markey to make another brilliant block.
Seconds later Simeon headed wide from 10 yards.
The noisy away support were in dreamland in the 67th minute as a pass cut open the centre of the home defence, allowing Jamie Henderson to race through and drive the ball into the net.
Darvel’s task of holding out was made harder with nine minutes left as Steven Tan was shown a second yellow card for blatant time wasting, reducing the visitors to nine men before a free kick on the edge of the penalty area saw Mitchell’s shot deflected over the crossbar.
A second goal for Darvel seemed certain when Cameron ran clean through on goal, but Whyte won the battle of wills to make a vital block.
The Glens tried to take advantage as they burst back to the other end, but Esplin once again pulled his shot wide of goal and that was the home side’s last chance.
Team: Whyte, McGregor, Miller, Fraser, Stevie Kerr, McGuire (McKay), Mitchell, Esplin, Gormley, Simeon, McRobbie (Lone). (Subs not used Divers, Ryan Kerr, McLellan (gk).)