'Sunshine on a Gloomy Game', As Stewarton Grind out Result

Wallacetoun 2  Stewarton United 4

With six goals, two red-cards and some dubious refereeing as filler, one would be forgiven for thinking this was a game for the amateur football neutral.

However it was the glorious sunshine and carnival atmosphere of the Ayr KGV backdrop that provided the main entertainment in a dismal game between two of last seasons promoted fourth division teams, as Stewarton ground out a result against a stale Wallacetoun.

Despite almost perfect playing conditions, both teams looked sluggish and shapeless as they tried to grab the opening exchanges by the scruff of the neck. Desire and persistence to get forward by United wingers McArthur and Currie gave hope to supporters for what might come, but too often United could not provide an end product as they struggled to break down Wallacetoun’s resistance.

On 26 minutes however, United looked to have secured a penalty as Tait in the Wallacetoun nets hastily collided with McArthur to bring him down at the edge of the box; the referee appeared to be in an ideal position to award a penalty, however deemed that the keeper had cleared the ball when ‘attacking’ the United winger, and play continued.

Moments later all eyes were on the referee again as a shocking tackle on United’s Stuart Dick in the centre circle threatened to send the game in to ill-repute; the resulting yellow card would later be doubled for Wallacetoun’s first sending off of the game.

The game was at least coming to life. On the half-hour mark, McNaughton selfishly shot over from an acute angle when it may have been more fruitful to square, however from the resulting bye-kick United captain Hamilton headed forward to McNaughton who atoned for his selfishness by shrugging off the attention of two defenders to coolly slot the ball past the keeper for United’s first.

United looked as if they had come-through the half with the games only positive, however just before the break Wallacetoun equalised from a needlessly conceded corner. United keeper Wilson tamely flapped at the delivery, the ball dropping kindly for O’Connor to slot the ball home and make it 1-1 at half time. Things could only get better after the break.

And they did for Wallacetoun, as five minutes into the second-half a blatant foul on Hamilton in the United defence was overlooked to allow the hosts to take the lead.

Despite loud appeals for what appeared to be a clear free kick, play continued as Aitken looked up to see Wilson off his line; the ball bounced kindly and the Wallacetoun number nine  coolly lobbed the ball into the net from the corner of the 18 yard box.  Things were not looking good for United as time and again they were frustrated by poor final balls and missed opportunities.

Half-time substitute Taylor provided more substance in the centre of the United midfield as he linked with Currie & McArthur to offer consistent menace from the wings. This paid off as a through ball was collected by McNaughton to square for the on-rushing Dickson, who finished well from inside the box despite impaired sight from a sustained nose-bleed.

The defenders second of the season was the catalyst for a reinvigorated United as they pressured in the closing stages. Minutes later another attack, this time from the left, resulted in a third for United. The ever-vivacious Lavery wrestled the ball from the defender and threaded through McNaughton who, despite appearing offside, cut in from his right and slotted past Tait to reward Stewarton’s dominance.

As Stewarton made changes, it was their solid fitness levels a team character that set them apart, as McArthur raced down the right wing, skipped past three defenders to cut back for McNaughton to secure his hat-trick. 

United finally looked comfortable, and passed the ball about with consistent readiness to frustrate Wallacetoun. The home teams’ frustrations boiled over into petulance however, having two men sent off in the closing 10 minutes, both for second bookable offence.  Although the scoreline flattered United, it did not belittle Wallacetoun who will have to battle hard for results in a higher league. However, United must find more from the middle of the park if they are to continue to do what they do best; win, and win well.

by Fraser Wilson