MARYHILL

FOOTBALL CLUB

IT’S A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME…

ONLINE MATCH PROGRAMME

MARYHILL FC - A SHORT HISTORY

The club were formed back in 1884 when the district of Maryhill was a semi rural settlement on the outskirts of . In the earliest years of the club's OUR OPPONENTS THIS SEASON history the side had a brief flirtation with senior football, entering the on several occasions, but the majority of our existence has been in WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE the Junior grade.

Having moved ground several times in its formative years, the club has called Lochburn Park its home since the latter years of the 19th century. Originally one of Glasgow's more basic football venues, an extensive upgrading programme in the 1990s transformed it into one of the premier stadia in the Junior game, regularly hosting local and regional finals.

Over the years the Hill have won a long list of honours, bringing the "Holy Grail" of the Scottish Junior Cup back to Lochburn on two occasions; the first win being in 1900 (1-0 v Rugby XI at Shawfield) and the second in 1940 (1-0 v Morton Juniors at Hamoden). The club enjoyed its most recent sustained period of success in the years around the Millennium, with back to back league titles secured whilst also reaching three Junior Cup semi-finals although on all three occasions we fell at the penultimate hurdle.

Many great players have worn the red and black over the years; many never took the step up to the senior game, but among those who did were the likes of Tommy Burns, Danny McGrain, Davie Meiklejohn and Alex Harley.

After a decline in the club's fortunes in the mid-2000s following the necessity of financially downsizing, Maryhill dropped down the leagues, eventually suffering the indignity of relegation to the bottom of the West Region setup. After eight seasons of competing in the District leagues however, in season 2015-16 the Hill won promotion back to the Superleagues, where we spent two seasons before being relegated back into the third tier.

April 2020 saw us accepted into the newly-formed West of Scotland League, bringing to an end more than a century of participation in the Junior ranks and seeing us move to Tier 7 of the Scottish football pyramid. This season we will compete in Conference A, where we look forward both The withdrawal of several teams for the season prior to today’s opening round to renewing old friendships and rivalries and forging fresh ones in our new of fixtures necessitated the redrawing of the Conferences. The 13 teams environment. above will now take part in this season’s Conference A.

The adventure that began back in 1884 continues...

th MARYHILL FC SEASON 2019-20 Saturday 7 November 2020

NEILSTON N FR 1-5 Edgar West of Scotland League Conference A RANGERS N FR 1-5 O'Donohue

ST ANTHONY'S H FR 3-0 Dobbs, OG, O'Donohue ARTHURLIE A FR 0-4 N/A MARYHILL v ANNBANK UNITED JOHNSTONE BURGH A FR 1-4 Dobbs ROSSVALE H SLC 1-4 Dobbs SHETTLESTON A SLC 3-5 Dobbs, Stevenson, McNeil POLLOK H SLC 0-8 N/A Lochburn Park

CARLUKE ROVERS A L 0-6 N/A Season 2020-21 #1 PORT GLASGOW H L 2-1 McFarlane, Dobbs LESMAHAGOW A L 0-3 N/A LANARK UNITED H L 1-5 O'Donohue A warm welcome to the players and officials of Annbank United who have travelled up from Ayrshire for this historic first home game for the Hill in the GREENOCK A L 4-3 Stevenson, Dobbs, Ralston, Skinner West of Scotland League, marking a return to senior football for the club after more than a century in the junior ranks we hope they enjoy their visit SHETTLESTON H L 0-5 N/A – to Lochburn Park and have a safe journey back after the game. BELLSHILL ATHLETIC A L 2-1 Dobbs, McNeil

PARTICK THISTLE LEGENDS H FR 1-3 Dobbs We were of course scheduled to start the campaign a fortnight ago when GIRVAN H L 2-1 Dobbs, Skinner we were slated to face our near neighbours Ashfield, but near constant rain EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE H L 2-2 Dobbs, Ralston the preceding week meant an opening day postponement. Instead, we LARKHALL THISTLE A L 1-6 Ashe opened the season’s competitive games last weekend away from home at FORFAR WEST END H SJC 2-4 Ashe, Naismith Renfrew’s New Western Park. KELLO ROVERS H L 1-4 Bolard BO'NESS UNITED JUNIORS H FR 3-0 Ashe 2, Dobbs It was a frustrating debut in the West of Scotland League for the Hill, as after WISHAW A L 0-1 N/A going down an early goal we traded chances with one of the favourites for TROON A WSC 1-4 McGinty Conference A. The game turned on two second half decisions, neither of PORT GLASGOW A L 2-6 Dobbs, Skinner which went the Hill’s way – firstly when the Frew keeper punched the ball clear a couple of yards outside the box to deny Jack Easdon a cear-cut LANARK UNITED A L 2-2 O'Donohue, Easdon chance only receive a yellow card, and secondly when Brian Ashe was SHETTLESTON A L 1-4 O'Donohue, crudely taken out in the area while shooting, being injured in the process BELLSHILL ATHLETIC H L 7-4 McKenzie, Ashe 4, Dobbs 2 and only earning a corner for his pains. Shortly after the second incident the ARDROSSAN WINTON H L 2-6 McKenzie 2 home side added another goal, with a third following right at the final ROVERS whistle. GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE A L 4-2 Dobbs, Skinner, OG 2 LESMAHAGOW H L 2-3 Kavanagh, Ashe Don’t believe for a second the narrative being pushed by some that this ROYAL ALBERT A L 5-1 Easdon 2, McNee, O’Donohue, Gray season will be an essentially meaningless series of friendlies – our players and CARLUKE ROVERS H L 1-4 Crawford staff have been working too hard to make it happen for that to be the case. YOKER ATHLETIC N FR 6-1 Skinner, Gray 2, Easdon, Walker, Ashe EAST KILBRIDE RESERVES A FR 1-3 Easdon And now it IS happening,,, FORTH WANDERERS N FR 0-0 N/A ARDEER THISTLE N FR 16-0 Ashe 4, Skinner 3, Dobbs 2, Easdon 2, Stay safe! Kavanagh 2, Walker, McNee, Weir

‘MON THE HILL!

MARYHILL FC GOALSCORERS 2019-2020 (Competitive games only)

11 – Ged Dobbs 7 – Brian Ashe 4 – Andrew Skinner, Ciaron O’Donohue 3 – Jack Easdon 2 – Craig Stevenson, Sam McNeil, Cammy Ralston 1 – Alex McFarlane, Gavin Naismith, Julien Bolard, Steven McGinty, Robert McKenzie, Jonathan Kavanagh, Sam McNee, Jamie Gray

------MARYHILL FC MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS 2019-2020 (Competitive games only)

4 – Garry Black 3 – Craig Stevenson 2 – Ciaron O’Donohue, Brian Ashe, Robert McKenzie, Jack Easdon 1 – Ged Dobbs, Kyle McQueen, Gavin Naismith, Steven McGinty, Alex McFarlane

WEST REGION LEAGUE 1 “FINAL” TABLE 2019-20

part of something really meaningful. TODAY’S FIXTURES

“We have many underprivileged kids at our club who perhaps don’t have as many opportunities as others, but everyone is equal at our club, and with Maryhill having just joined the senior ranks the possibilities are now endless for our youngsters.

“There was talk of our clubs forming a partnership a few years ago, but I feel now is the right time. We’re ready for it and want to make the most of it. We are happy to play under the Maryhill FC banner…it will be good for our club, for our players and hopefully for Maryhill FC itself WOSFL PREMIER

If YOU have kids who would like to start playing football – and maybe even Benburb - Beith - end up playing for the Hill! – contact David Wright on 07826 081650 for more Bonnyton Thistle - Clydebank details. Cumbernauld United - Kirkintilloch Rob Roy - Darvel - Kilwinning Rangers Summerston YFC run teams at Under-17, Under-16 and Under-15 levels as well Hurlford United - Glencairn as 2008s and 2011s. They have also recently joined forces with a very good Largs Thistle - Irvine Meadow XI amateur side who now play under the Summerston banner. Keep an eye on the Maryhill match programme this season – we’ll be keeping you up to date Troon - Rossvale with the progress of the new youth initiative. WOSFL CONFERENCE A Bellshill Athletic - Ardeer Thistle

Craigmark Burntonians - Maybole NEXT UP FOR THE HILL Kello Rovers - Renfrew Maryhill - Annbank United Saturday 14th November Muirkirk - Ashfield ARDEER THISTLE v MARYHILL WOSFL CONFERENCE B WOSFL Conference A Carluke Rovers - Vale of Leven

Gartcairn - St Cadoc’s st Saturday 21 November Greenock - Forth Wanderers JOHNSTONE BURGH v MARYHILL Irvine Victoria - Lugar Boswell Thistle South Challenge Cup Round 2 Vale of Clyde - Port Glasgow Wishaw - Johnstone Burgh

Saturday 28th November WOSFL CONFERENCE C MARYHILL v GLASGOW UNIVERSITY Dalry Thistle - Drumchapel United WOSFL Conference A Glasgow Perthshire - Newmians United Lanark United - Kilsyth Rangers Larkhall Thistle - Thorniewood United Saturday 5th December St Anthony’s - East Kilbride Thistle MAYBOLE v MARYHILL WOSFL Conference A

MARYHILL FC AND SUMMERSTON YFC: A LOCAL PARTNERSHIP

Maryhill FC are delighted to announce a new footballing partnership with crack local club Summerston YFC.

After talks between Maryhill manager Ross Wilson, President Tam Drew and David Wright< Chairman of Summerston, the tie-in will see Summerston, the tie-in will see Summerston play as Maryhill FC Under-20s in the new Lowland Development League which will start up in the new season.

While today is an historic occasion in a s much as it marks our first home Tam Drew said: “This is fantastic for both clubs and also for our community. It game in the West of Scotland League, t’s also an historic game in another will bring us all closer together and give kids something big to aim for. It is respect – the impact of COVID-19 means that this is the first competitive also something we have been looking to get involved in for a couple of game since we arrived at Lochburn back in 1897 that will kick off with no years now, but the timing seems perfect right now and we can’t wait to get supporters present. started.”

In an ideal world it’s a situation we’d much prefer not to be faced with - and Maryhill gaffer Ross Wilson added: “I’m delighted with this partnership. It’s a it’s certainly not one of our choice - but it’s clear that we’re not living in an step in the right direction for our club and a massive step for the local ideal world at this moment in time and the current level of restrictions we community. There will be benefits for both clubs, but I see our club offering a face aren’t going away for at least a while. pathway for local kids. Summerston are a really well-run outfit, but this gives their players who may be in their late teens a stepping stone into senior All clubs were faced with a similar stark choice between going into football. hibernation for the season or starting the campaign late and at least trying to get things started “We recently joined the senior West of Scotland League which was something that excited me, but this tie-in with Summerston has taken that Football without fans present may not be nothing, but it’s certainly excitement to another level. We will be working closely with Summerston to diminished, and while the suggestion has been made in some quarters that develop some of their exciting young players which will be mutually teams who have chosen to begin behind closed doors don’t value their beneficial to both clubs.” supporters, nothing could be further from the truth, as by doing so at least we can offer some hope that at some point down the line this season we can Summerston YFC, which recently dropped their boys’ club moniker, operate begin to let people back in, while by potentially shutting up shop for a year at five different age groups and have more than 100 boys playing for their we could offer none. various teams. Chairman David Wright has been at the club for seven years, but admitted this initiative had come along at exactly the right time for his Unfortunately there’s no right answer and no wrong answer here, and every club. club has made its own choice based on its own circumstances. He said: “When I first came on board we ran two teams and had just over In an effort to keep supporters informed in the meantime, we will be filming twenty players, so we’ve grown exponentially year on year. We’ve won four our games and also will be continuing to produce a match programme to leagues and various cups, but that’s genuinely not the be all and end all for download free of change – this first issue obviously concentrates on the us. extended preseason we’ve been conducting over the last couple of months. In the interim we’ve taken the decision to keep the programme in “We have some great kids on our books, and it’s pleasing to watch them black and white which will make it more economical to print a copy out at grow into talented players. We like to think we offer them something home for those who choose to do so. There obviously is too much ground to worthwhile to do with their time. With this partnership we can continue to cover in terms of what has been a momentous few months in the history of grow our club and that in turn benefits the local community. I the club in a single issue, so watch this space and we’ll attempt to cover everything in forthcoming editions of the programme. “t’s a fantastic opportunity for kids from Maryhill and Summerston to be a

Iain

Clarkson

Electrician

07957

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HARVEY’S BAR

CAFE D'JACONELLI

The draw for the first and second rounds of this season’s SoccerShop Challenge Cup have been made – the Hill received a bye in the first round, and will travel to Keanie Park to face Johnstone Burgh in the seond round – here’s the draw in full:

FIRST ROUND Pollok v Tranent, Thornton Hibs v Rutherglen Glencairn, Dunbar United v Drumchapel United, Vale of Clyde v East Kilbride Thistle, Maybole Juniors v Vale of Leven, Easthouses Lily v Larkhall Thistle, Carluke Rovers v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Irvine Victoria v St Anthony’s, Sauchie v Kilwinning Rangers, Threave Rovers v Ormiston, Jeanfield Swifts v Lochgelly Albert, Bonnyrigg Rose v Newtongrange Star, Broxburn Athletic v Creetown, Spartans v Kinnoul

SECOND ROUND Craigmark Burtonians v Bonnyton Thistle, Greenock v Vale of Clyde/East Kilbride Thistle, Johnstone Burgh v Maryhill, Ardeer Thistle v Pollok/Tranent, Glenafton Athletic v Neilston, Royal Albert v Wigtown & Bladnoch, Shettleston v Shotts Bon Accord, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Dalry Thistle, Cumnock v Wishaw, Glenrothes v St. Cadoc’s, Hurlford United v Civil Service Strollers, Darvel v Easthouses Lily/Larkhall, Kelty Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v University of Stirling, Luncarty v Whitletts Victoria, Glasgow Perthshire v Petershill, Thornton/Rutherglen Glencairn v Nithsdale Wanderers, Eyemouth United v Muirkirk, Edinburgh United v Arthurlie, Newmains United v Edinburgh University, Edinburgh South v Blantyre Victoria, Troon v Preston Athletic, Kilsyth Rangers v Rossvale, Gartcairn v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Broxburn/Creetown v Irvine Meadow XI, Irvine Victoria/St. Anthony’s v East Kilbride, Glasgow University v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Thorniewood United v Craigmroyston, Renfrew v Bonnyrigg Rose/Newtongrange, Saltcoats Victoria v Lochore Welfare, Musselburgh Athletic v Benburb, Gala Fairydean Rovers v Sauchie/Kilwinning Rangers, Kennoway Star Hearts v St. Roch’s, Dundonald Bluebell v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Annbank United v Maybole Juniors/Vale of Leven, Newton Stewart v Yoker Athletic, Linlithgow Rose v Kello Rovers, Largs Thistle v Dalbeattie Star, Lugar Boswell Thistle v Lochar Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Girvan, Lesmahagow v Port Glasgow, Lanark United v Ashfield, Bellshill Athletic v Cumbernauld United, Whitehill Welfare v Carluke Rovers/Kilbirnie Ladeside, Beith v Clydebank, Heriot-Watt University v Dunbar/Drumchapel United, Forth Wanderers v Threave Rovers/Ormiston, Blackburn United v Newburgh, Gretna 2008 v Penicuik Athletic, St Andrews United v Hawick Royal Albert UnitedHaddington Athletic v Abbey Vale, Upper Annandale v Berwick Rangers, Vale of Leithen v Heston Rovers, Jeanfield Swifts/Lochgelly v Caledonian Braves, Dalkeith Thistle v BSC Glasgow, East Stirlingshire v Spartans/Kinnoul, Rosyth v Camelon, Peebles Rovers v Oakley UnitedDunipace v Mid Annandale, Coldstream v Crossgates Primrose, Bo’ness United v Burntisland Shipyard, Lochmaben v Kirkcaldy & Dysart, St Cuthbert Wanderers v Tynecastle, Leith Athletic v Tweedmouth Rangers

MEET THE OPPOSITION

ANNBANK

UNITED

Nickname: The Bankies

Formed: 1939 Ground: New Pebble Park Ground Capacity: 2,600 Manager: Matt Maley Chairman: Willie Fisher Colours: Black/White Last Season’s Finish: 9th of 15 SJFA West Region League 2 Website: www.ashfieldfootballclub.com

Honours: Ayrshire Second Division: 1989–90 Western League (Southern): 1948–49 Ayrshire (Ayrshire Weekly Press) Cup: 1940–41, 1943–44, 1945–46 Ayrshire League (Rockware Glass) Cup: 1987–88

Kyle & Carrick Cup: 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1992–93 South Ayrshire Cup: 1997–98 Ayrshire Super Cup: 1987–88 Western League Cup: 1942–43, 1943–44 Ayrshire Consolation Cup: 1951–52, 1955–56 rvine & District Cup: 1943–44 Moore Trophy: 1954–55 Vernon Cup: 1951–52, 1955–56 Henderson Memorial Shield:1956

more about their players - and indeed players more about Saturday 12th September 2020 themselves - by playing the highest standard of opposition available rather than taking the easy option of scudding a low-ranked side. Friendly Match chances, but it was the Hill who had the first real opportunity to score ASHFIELD 4 MARYHILL 2 when Craig McEwan burst down the right wing and unleashed a shot which came off the Blantyre woodwork, with Jack Easdon unable to Match Report by Sean McLaughlin convert the rebound.

Saturday’s friendly match between Ashfield and Maryhill at Saracen As the first half continued, the Hill seemed to get into their stride, and Park was your proverbial game of two halves. Saracen Park was were playing some intricate one-touch eerily empty for this season’s opener due to Coronavirus but it’s fair to football at times, with the pace of our forward line causing our top- say neither team let that effect them as the eagerness of a return to -tier opponents some problems. football took precedence.

Playing a top-level team means you always require to be on your Within just five minutes, the home side had set the tone for the rest of guard however, and a defensive lapse midway through the first half the first half and were almost in front immediately. It was too long saw Craig McKenzie slot home for the Vics. until they did take the lead, when a corner was swung in and a home player knocked it home. The Lanarkshire outfit looked to kick on after taking the lead, and in a period of dominating play towards half-time forced a couple of Maryhill struggled to get a foothold in the game and Ashfield decent chances which Garry Black in the Maryhill goal was equal to. doubled their advantage midway through the opening half. Ged Dobbs went closest for Maryhill in a disappointing first half when Half Time Maryhill 0 Blantyre Victoria 1 he somehow found a path to goal through a ruck of players but his

shot hit the post. The Hill started the second half brightly and had a couple of shots blocked and saved, and while the Vics were also creating Maryhill boss responded by introducing TEN new players at the break, opportunities at times their finishing let them down. with only new signing Tony Etherson keeping his place. It was also a great chance for the gaffer to get a first look at many of his new They had a golden chance to double their lead however after 68 signings in Maryhill colours and it paid off 10 minutes into the second minutes when the ref deemed a coming together in the box to be a period. penalty, however substitute Maryhill keeper Mark McRoberts pulled off a tremendous save low down to his left at the resultant spot kick. The lively Jack Easdon found some wiggle room just outside the box

and let fly, giving the home keeper absolutely no chance. The Hill had the ball in the Blantyre net a few minutes afterwards New additions Cammy O’Neill and Ryan Wallace linked up well with when the Vics defence was robbed in possession with Brian Ashe their teammates as Maryhill probed for an equaliser, but they were firing home, but the goal was disallowed for offside which seemed a caught out when Ashfield scored again with a well-worked third harsh decision. goal. But the Lochburn lads refused to lie down and replied just after

the hour mark with a cracking free kick from Cammy O’Neill. This was The Hill had one final opportunity to level the score in the dying followed by a golden chance for Maryhill fans’ favourite Brian Ashe seconds, but Ashe turned his effort slightly wide.

All in all, another useful exercise against another good side where once again we didn't look out of place.

which the goalkeeper somehow managed to push round the post. from the left to cushion the ball down to Darren Kennedy who Maryhill were on the ascendancy and had a golden opportunity to volleyed beautifully into the corner of the net from 20 yards out. equalise in 75 minutes when the impressive Jack Easdon was hauled down in the box by the goalkeeper. Ashe stepped up to take the Kilwinning had a few half chances but Maryhill more than matched kick but the keeper redeemed himself by guessing the right way and their West of Scotland Premier opponents for most of the half until the Ashe was again denied a goal. Buffs moved ahead again just before half time with Whyte heading Ashfield cliched victory with a late fourth goal, and overall deserved home from another corner. their victory.

Jack Easdon is one of the few players still at Lochburn from last In the closing minutes of the game Cammy O’Neill nearly added a season, and he found the net nine minutes into the second half second goal on his debut with yet another free kick. It clipped the when he intercepted a short back pass before taking the ball round inside of the crossbar and fell downwards, and while there were the keeper and slotting into the net. claims from the Hill players that the ball had crossed the line, the referee didn’t agree and Maryhill had failed to win in their first outing Unfortunately for the Hill, any hope of getting something from the since February. game was killed off after two goals in two minutes for the visitors. Ally

McColm taped in to make it 3-2 after a cross to the far post was After the game, gaffer Ross Wilson said: “It was certainly a worthwhile squared back across goal before Jordan Stewart headed home exercise against a good Ashfield side. We played two different sides after substitute keeper Mark McRoberts had missed the ball, albeit with 10 subs at half time. These games allow us to try different things with claims for a foul on him turned down. and essentially give players the opportunity to stake a claim for a

jersey come the start of competitive action on October 10th.“ Jamie Gray came off the bench and went close with a couple of

efforts but ultimately Maryhill couldn’t find a third and it was Kilwinning who claimed the victory. th Saturday 19 September 2020

Friendly Match Saturday 10th October

POLLOK 5 MARYHILL 2 Friendly Match

Match Report by Jeff Holmes MARYHILL 0 BLANTYRE VICTORIA 1

Pollok went nap against Maryhill at the weekend - but Ross Wilson still Match Report by Donny Maclean had much to be happy about. The Maryhill gaffer looked on as his players went toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in the country. After the late cancellation of the Hill's proposed Friday night friendly against East Kilbride Reserves, another was hastily arranged for the And afterwards, Wilson said: “We matched Pollok in many different following day against Blantyre Victoria at the Toryglen Complex. areas of the park for large parts of the game, and that pleased me. “Let’s be honest, we won’t be squaring up to many teams of their The Vics are a team very much on the up at the moment having calibre throughout our regular season. been promoted twice in two seasons and were to prove another stern test, although it can be argued that management will learn “I was pleased with the game in general. I thought our shape was Vics made most of the early running without creating any gilt-edged

could have also won the game in the dying seconds when they dragged a shot wide. good, as was our fitness. There is still a lot of work to do but we’re getting there.”

Pollok’s Iain Russell - a former Motherwell, Dumbarton and Morton centre-forward - scored twice inside 16 minutes to give the hosts an early advantage. However, on 23 minutes, Alex McFarlane headed home superbly to half the deficit.

Maryhill’s Jack Easdon was then through on goal but saw his low drive saved by Pollok keeper Jordan Longmuir. Six minutes before the break, Ryan McGregor unleashed a ferocious drive from 22 yards, but somehow Hill keeper Mark McRoberts tipped it over the bar.

It was a stunning save, but McRoberts was as it again on 43, when Tony Etherson barged into the back of Russell inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. However, McRoberts dived full length to his left to turn the ball round the post.

Seconds before the interval, Maryhill playmaker Cammy O’Neill was hurt in a robust challenge and was forced off suffering from a cut to

his knee. After the break, Maryhill’s Craig Stevenson went close with a drive, but defensive frailties saw Pollok score twice in quick The Hill mount a first half attack at Victoria Park succession to lead 4-1. but when Stevenson latched onto a short back pass in 73 minutes, and was brought down, Ged Dobbs despatched the spot kick with aplomb to half the deficit. Saturday 4th October 2020

With 10 minutes left on the clock, a Pollok striker robbed the clearly Friendly Match injured Michael Browne and rounded the keeper to score the final goal of the afternoon. MARYHILL 2 KILWINNING RANGERS 4 A disconsolate Browne limped off the field moments later and Match Report by Campbell Finlayson Maryhill played out the game with just 10 men.

Maryhill can be pleased with their performance despite going down It was another tough challenge for Maryhill, but it was one they met 4-2 to Kilwinning Rangers at a soaking wet Lochburn Park. head on, and some of the football they played at Newlandsfield was a delight to watch. Trialist goalkeeper Lewis Sanderson made a save to deny the away side while Ged Dobbs saw his effort kept out at the other end in the Football without fans, though, is still an alien concept, and the sooner opening ten minutes before Kilwinning opened the scoring through a they are allowed back in, the better for all concerned. Not least, the Jamie Whyte header from a corner. club treasurers

The Hill equalised on 24 minutes when Dobbs got his head on a cross

Newmains had adopted a much more direct approach and forced a series of corners early on, one of which resulted in a header going not too far over the bar.

It took until 15 minutes in before the Hill's first meaningful chance, when Jack Easdon went on a long mazy run through the home midfield and defence with his eventual cutback being sent wide of the post. Easdon was nearly on the end of a cross from the left four minutes later, but couldn't connect properly with what would have been an acrobatic finish.

The remainder of the half didn't see all that much in the way of clear cut chances for either side, with both teams settling into their respective game plans which seemed in the most part to cancel each other out, with Newmains able to break up the Hill's passing

moves and the away team dealing comfortably with the home side's longer balls.

Half Time - Newmains United 0 Maryhill 0

The Hill defend a cross during the first half at Newlandsfield. The early stages of the second half continued in the same fashion as the end of the first period until the Hill made the breakthrough just after the hour mark when substitute Ged Dobbs sidefooted a Saturday 26th September 2020 cutback from the byeline in from close range to give the Hill the lead.

Friendly Match It had been a niggly game from the start with a Newmains player having been booked for dissent as early as the eighth minute, but at NEWMAINS UNITED 1 MARYHILL 1 times in the second half it looked likely to boil over at several points and belied the term "friendly", culminating in a particularly Match Report by Donny Maclean agricultural tackle on the touchline that left Hill midfielder Ewan McGuinness unable to continue with what hopefully isn't a serious On a largely sunny afternoon with a distinct nip of autumn in the air at ankle injury. Victoria Park in Newmains, the Hill battled out their second 1-1 stalemate in three days. The Hill, having used all their substitutes, were forced to complete the last 25 minutes of the game with ten men, putting paid to building on In the early stages of the game, the Hill attempted to settle down into the goal advantage and hopefully adding a couple more. a passing rhythm, but a lot of their early attacks were thwarted due to misplaced passes and misunderstandings between teammates - Unsurprisingly the home side eventually made the man advantage although it has to be said pre-season friendlies are precisely the time pay with a headed equaliser with ten minutes left on the clock. to get those wrinkles ironed out! Jamie Gray and Ged Dobbs had late chances, but the home side