Victorious Gers stay in top spot

Stagecoach West of Scotland League Central District First Division

THIS was the archetypal game of two halves. Neilston had the strong wind in their favour in the first half but rarely managed to use it to their benefit. The ball was in the air for long periods and neither side managed to play any football.

The visitors had the best chance of an otherwise scrappy first half when Shane Jackson was clean through but blasted his shot over the bar.

Kilsyth had the wind behind them in the second half and went on the attack straight away when Kelly was fouled. His free-kick into the box eventually found Livingstone whose snap shot bounced wide.

Kilsyth were much more in the game now and it was local boy Frannie Kelly that was at the heart of most of the action. He picked the ball up wide and drove at the Neilston defence, beating a couple of defenders before Sexton saved his shot. This was much better from the home side.

On the hour mark Kilsyth took the lead when a good interchange of passing between Waters and Livingstone saw the ball arrive at the back post where Paddy Flannery headed home.

However, the lead would last only three minutes when Shane Jackson shot home, with the help of a slight deflection off a home defender.

Neilston had another couple of chances after their equaliser but Kilsyth manged to keep them out.

In the 70th minute McPeake was fouled about 23 yards out. Flannery stepped up to the free-kick and put it into the top corner of the net – a great strike to put Kilsyth back in front.

Less than ten minutes later the points were secured when Carr fired a great cross to the back post where Kelly looped his header over Sexton in the Neilston goal.

Neilston did have another good chance when C. Jackson took a free-kick but Duke saved the shot.

Kilsyth play St. Anthony’s away next Saturday, 2pm kick-off.

KILSYTH RANGERS: Duke, Waters, Carr, Doyle, Hogg, McLellan, Livingstone, McPeake, Barclay, Flannery and Kelly. Subs: McAteer, Hamilton, Nimmo, McWilliams and Tait

NEILSTON JUNIORS: Sexton, Crilly, Eadie, Whiteford, Young, Mauuena, S. Jackson, Lennox, Shields, Christie and Campbell. Subs: Evans, Allen, C. Jackson, Murphy, Murdoch, Donnachie and McKee.