Sunday stroll for Irvine Meadow

Oct 31 2008 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

Sunday stroll for Meadow

GOALS from Zander Ryan, Steven Swift and Davie Hamilton steered Irvine Meadow to a comfortable 3-0 win over Lugar in the first final of the season on Sunday.

It was a pretty one-sided affair, played in atrocious conditions at times as driving wind and rain swept the ground and, although there was a decent crowd in the circumstances, there is no doubt that the dreadful weather had a big effect on the attendance.

Lugar made a lively start but it was Meadow, with the wind at their backs, who began to take control and delightful touches from Andy McLaren set up both Chris Robertson and Gareth Turner but they were unable to apply the finishing touch.

With ten minutes gone a brilliant McLaren pass sent Kevin McBride haring down the left and his low cross was just missed by Hamilton at the back post, then McLaren forced Lugar keeper Derek Gall into a fine save after a clever McBride free kick gave him a shooting chance.

Meadow's pressure finally told in 21 minutes with a fabulous goal, Ryan picking up a Chic Connolly pass just inside the Lugar half and leaving left back John Anderson dead for pace before flashing a ferocious angled drive past the helpless keeper from the corner of the box.

Turner and Swift had attempts for Meadow as the one-way traffic continued but the home side were forced into a change in 37 minutes when McLaren, treated earlier for a gash on his head earlier, went off to be replaced by Brian McGinty.

Chris Strain was crowded out as he tried to wriggle his way into the box just after the break, another fierce Ryan drive was beaten away by Gall then Lugar had their best chance of the game when, after Hamilton denied Andy Clapperton with a last-ditch clearance, the home defence failed to clear the resultant corner and the ball fell to Andy Rae but, with only the keeper to beat, he screwed his shot wide.

But any hopes that Lugar would mount a comeback were dashed in 61 minutes when Bryan Mulgrew pulled McGinty back as he sped clear, leaving referee Stevie O'Brien no option but to show the defender a straight red card.

Robertson came close with a shot on the turn and Hamilton fired straight at Gall as Meadow went for the killer second goal but it was Lugar who gave their hosts a fright in 64 minutes when Clapperton unleashed a 35-yard rocket which beat keeper Michael Wardrope all ends up but struck the top of the bar and went behind.

That was Lugar's last act of defiance and just three minutes later the game was effectively over when Meadow won a corner on the right and man of the match Swift rose at the back post to power Ryan's flag kick past the defenceless Gall.

Meadow wrapped up the silverware in 84 minutes when a good passing move released McBride on the left and his low cross was touched on to Hamilton who smashed the ball home from 12 yards.

Irvine Meadow. Wardrope, Connolly McBride; Swift (capt), McLaughlin, Turner; Ryan, Hamilton, Robertson (Bradford 67), McLaren (McGinty 37), Strain (Crilly 55).

Subs not used. Farrell; McGowan.

Lugar. Gall, Galbraith, Anderson; Miller, Muir, Mulgrew; McClelland (Robertson 78), McMahon (capt), Rae (Grossart 62), Clapperton, Clelland.

Subs not used. Baird, Wark, Leishman.

Referee. Stevie O'Brien.

Attendance. 545.