Buffs just can’t find first win of the season

Sep 12 2008 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

BUFFS are still looking for that elusive first win of the season after a John Paul Dow goal handed Largs victory at Abbey Park on Saturday.

James Tyler almost gave Kilwinning a fifth minute lead when he burst through the visiting defence only to be denied by a brave Stephen Connick save, but the home fans had something to cheer about four minutes later when a right wing Paul Gordon corner was knocked into the air and, when the ball finally came down, Stevie Moore got there first to bundle it home.

However Largs were back on level terms six minutes later when keeper Keith Ross made a good block from a free kick and, with the defence static, Craig Black forced the loose ball home.

Tyler rounded Connick and shot for goal only to see Stuart Hendren scrape the ball off the line, then there was real controversy in 21 minutes when former Abbey Park favourite Paul Mullin's effort was fumbled by Ross and Willie McClure slotted the ball home only to see the "goal" disallowed for offside.

Tyler also saw an effort disallowed for offside then, as the break approached, McClure let fly from the edge of the box but the ball flew over.

Gordon wasted a great chance in 49 minutes when he gathered a John Tinney corner but blasted over from close range, and the Buffs winger then saw a long-range effort suffer an identical fate before Largs wrapped up the points when Moore and Tinney got in a fankle on the edge of the opposition box and the visitors streaked upfield where Dow ran on unchallenged to slot the winner past the helpless Ross.

Buffs did their best to get back on level terms but their main tactic consisted of a series of high balls which were easily dealt with by the big Largs defence.

Pictures by Stephen McGowne