IT WAS honours even in Ardrishaig as Athletic and Wanderers shared six goals. This was a game of two halves with the young Lochgilphead side in control throughout the first 45 minutes.
The Wanderers had a strong penalty claim turned down early on before Athletic’s Craig Samborek gave them a scare firing a wicked swerving shot just wide.
Stuart Crawford was dictating play for the Wanderers who were troubling the square Athletic back line using Guy and McDonald’s aerial prowess and strength to good effect.
They took the lead when dead ball expert Colin Weir’s well-placed corner was nodded into the net by the educated head of ‘big T’, Alan Guy.
Wanderers were playing all the football at this point and deservedly went two up when Euan McDonald burst through to slot home past the advancing keeper. HT – 0-2.
Ardrishaig took advantage of the break to switch things round. Donald Bowness came out of goals to start driving his team forward with Iain Menzies bringing some composure to their back line.
Ardrishaig looked a more solid outfit now and started to dominate, forcing Wanderers deep and creating chances. Wanderers were missing tackles allowing Ardrishaig to run at them so it was no surprise when Colin McFarlane scored with a fine back-post header to get his team back in the game.
Ardrishaig had their tails up and pressed for a second but the Wanderers had other ideas. They went further ahead when Andrew McCulloch’s low drive was deflected past keeper Duncan Campbell.
It should have been game over but Ardrishaig started to play their best football of the match, pulling themselves back into the game courtesy of another quality header from Marc McManus. Wanderers’ hopes of collecting all three points were dashed when McFarlane completed his double, beating the unsighted McCulloch low at his right-hand post.
Both teams looked for a winner but a draw was the right result in a highly entertaining competitive match. Star performers for Ardrishaig were Gary Crawford (who set up two of their goals), Colin McFarlane, Iain Menzies and Lucas Alderson. Stuart Crawford, Euan McDonald, Matthew Brailsford, Andrew McCulloch and Alan Guy were the stand-outs for Wanderers.
Thanks from both teams to referee Luke Kalache who had a fine game. Ardrishaig Athletic would like to thank AOM Gleaner, D.A. MacDonald and the Argyll Arms Hotel, Ardrishaig for their support.
