Promotion Derby Highlights Gulf in Class

Crookedholm 1 Stewarton United 8

Having gone two weeks without a game at the start of the 2009/10 league campaign, Stewarton had two games in three days, giving them two solid results to shout about.

A derby match between two of last seasons promoted teams into the third division, saw the away side reiterate why they were streaks ahead of Crookedholm last season, as Mondays’ game only went to show that United have improved, whereas their counterparts hadn’t.

An early evening kick-off on a heavy pitch could not defuse United’s intentions, as from the kick-off they pressured an instantly beleaguered home defence. Flowing football from Dick, who again started up-front for United, McNaughton and McCluskey helped to highlight the depth that Stewarton now have in their squad, and it was evident that a breakthrough was imminent.

Crookedholm, renowned for their poor discipline and rough-house tactics last season, showed more of the same as instantly their attitude was aggressive and petulant, which was somewhat surprisingly picked up on by the elderly official, whose inability to keep up with play was only surpassed by his need for sponsorship from a well know opticians.

From a cheap free kick on the half way line, United pushed down the right; just as it looked like the attack had fizzled out, a determined McArthur harried the home-defence and stole the ball back, cut in from the right, weaved past two defenders only to strike against a third. However the ball broke to Dick who squared for Kilpatrick to pass the ball low to the keepers’ left for the first.

From here United looked comfortable and continued to play nice football, however their lackadaisical play was to be their undoing as a home break on the left flank resulted in the equaliser.

A through ball from half-way was collected from the Crookedholm winger who knocked too far ahead of himself, however a lack of communication between Thomson and his goalkeeper resulted in Wilson rushing needlessly into a high tackle at the edge of the box to gift-wrap a concrete penalty for the home-side. The Crookedholm striker dispatched well from twelve yards.

A frustrated United continued to pressure after the equaliser, although in a less than eye-catching manner than previous. From a scrappy attack, Scott McCluskey profited from the pace in United’s frontline, as he bundled the ball over the line at the back-post.

A third from McNaughton secured the result early for Stewarton, however they were far from finished on the night, as again their energy level and willingness to play football had the home-team in disarray.

Surprising goal contributions from defenders Dickie and club captain Hamilton, saw United stretch their lead to four, but it was the return to action by newly-wed Lavery that capped a great evening for United. Both the strikers’ movement and suntan dazzled the Crookedholm defence who had no way of dealing with his pace and desire to get into the box.

Pouncing on a loose ball after scrappy play in the home box to secure his first, Lavery latched onto two great deliveries from the United right wing to secure a hat-trick in 20 minutes of play. 

A great return to first team action and form from Lavery helped to highlight United’s intentions for the season, Crookedholm however look like they may pay the price in a more demanding league for not strengthening their squad over the summer.

by Fraser Wilson