False Start to Season Only Delays Continuation of United Form

Vale of Girvan 1  Stewarton United 5

After a delayed start to the new season caused by a typically gloomy Scottish summer, Stewarton United were back to winning ways against Vale of Girvan, as an impressive day on the Ayrshire coast was matched by an impressive performance by last seasons fourth division Champions. 

Stewarton would have been happy to stamp their intentions on a stronger league after a poor pre-season, but perhaps it was the lengthy drive that saw the visitors slow to stamp their authority on a game played in perfect conditions, as Girvan started strongest in this the first game of the season.  After an initial exchange of blows however, United found their feet as the unlikely makeshift partnership of a jaded Graeme McArthur and out-of-position Stuart Dick bonded, providing both attractive flowing football and Stewarton’s first goal of the season.  The ball was switched swiftly from the right where Jamie Brown threaded through McArthur who skipped past the Girvan left back, took his time and coolly slotted low past the Vale keeper.  Girvan came back fighting though and consistently fine defending from the United defensive pairing of Thomson & McDowell kept the home side at bay.  When concentration did lapse, it was down to new signing Darren Wilson in the Stewarton nets to parry a strong Girvan strike to safety and keep the score 1-0 to the visitors at half-time.

Into the second half and United kept on the pressure; however they were reminded of Vales’ threat as after some indecisive defending resulted in United failing to clear a harmless attack, Vale equalised with a fine finish driven low to Wilson’s right.  Stewarton looked ill-at-ease in the following exchanges, and Vale threatened again as a cross from the left was headed high into the right hand corner of Wilson’s goals; the United defence had to turn back quickly from the half-way circle, as Wilson somehow managed to scoop the ball away from what looked like a certain finish.  This great save was the protagonist for a Stewarton reform as almost immediately they heaped continued pressure on the Vale goal.  Fine play down the right involving the impressive Stuart Dick and veteran Muir Young saw Stewarton win a corner, the result of which was a fine volleyed finish from Kilpatrick after a scrappy melee in a crowded home box. 

This catapulted Stewarton again as they seemed to grow from strength-to-strength, and again fine work down the right involving McNaughton (who had replaced Jamie Brown after a nasty clash of heads), Dick and Young culminated in a great, and unlikely, Muir Young finish from a Dick through ball.  United were now cruising and their superior fitness level saw them chain together several flowing moves, which a jaded Girvan could scarcely contend with.  In a flourishing end to the game, United kept their foot on the gas, and again a delivery from the right was met by a diving header from Stewarton captain Roddie Wallace who had stepped up to the mark in the second half.  Not content with four, Stewarton increased the wow-factor as a well delivered free-kick from Kilpatrick on the left was met by substitute Stevie Allison, whose powerful header struck the back of the net via the underside of the Girvan cross bar to cap a great return to league action for Stewarton.

Stewarton ran out worthy winners and can be pleased to bury a poor pre-season with many positives, not least a healthy winning margin in a game that helps to show that last years’ league title was no beginners-luck.

by Fraser Wilson