MOWI SOUTH DIVISION 1 Ardnamurchan 2 Lochside Rovers 2

With the Corran ferry out of action, Lochside Rovers had a longer than usual trip to play Ardnamurchan at Strontian, but returned home with a share of the spoils following a 2-2 draw.

A lovely strike from Jordan Kerr gave Lochside an 18-minute lead and the visitors passed up the opportunity to extend their advantage before Freddie Paterson levelled on 24 minutes. Jack MacMillan sent the ball in to the edge of the D where Allan Nairn knocked it backwards to Freddie Patterson, a bit further away from goal. Patterson took one touch to the side to set himself up before sending a powerful strike into the top right corner of the goal.

Herbie Patterson put Ard’ ahead on 30 minutes. Freddie Patterson turned provider after intercepting a miss-hit defensive free-hit. He hit a clean ball towards Herbie’s feet, and he dummied the ball before rolling his marker and heading through on goal. As the keeper came out, Patterson slipped the ball through and rolled it into the net.

Ardnamurchan made a bright start to the second half with Allan Nairn smacking a powerful shot off the crossbar.

Alan Paterson was booked by referee Graham Cameron on the hour for something he said and was sent off a couple of minutes later after receiving a second booking for retaliation after being struck on the arm.

Lochside replaced Euan Fairbairn with David Macmillan and were soon level as a wonderful Ruairidh Buchanan strike made it 2-2 on 65 minutes.

Both teams went for a winner during an entertaining final third of the game with Lochside playing a defender short at the back in their bid to take both points.

The Oban side will be pleased with the point considering their absentee list and the fact they played half an hour a player down.

Kieran Pearson was outstanding in his first game this season for Lochside, while 14-year-old Fraser MacMillan also had a great game.