Kennoway Star Hearts 0 Thornton Hibs 1 It was Derby day at Treaton Park as KSH played hosts to local rivals Thornton Hibs. The away side got off to the perfect start with a goal inside the opening few minutes. A long diagonal ball was played from left to right and it caught out the Kennoway back-line allowing aplayer to get a shot away. The shot was saved by Swinton as he dived low to his right,however Ireland was on hand to squeeze the ball over the line with two defenders unable to stop the ball going over the line. Kennoway were looking to get back into the game as quickly as possible and a training ground corner kick routine almost paid off when Johnstone evaded his marker only to see his shot sail wide of the target. The Thornton defence were standing firm as they contested every tackle and aerial duel with some ferocity. The foul count was going up as the home pressure started to pin the Hibs back. Band then tested Roberts in goal with a shot from twelve yards, the keeper saved comfortably and the ball was cleared. Craig was a constant menace in attack for KSH and one snap shot from the edge of the area had Roberts scrambling. Approaching the half hour mark Kennoway then saw a Bryce header sail over the bar quickly followed by the home side`s best chance of the game when Rolland saw his glancing header clawed away from the target when Roberts saved. Two minutes later Doig should have done better but could only pull his left footed effort wide from an acute angle. HT 0-1 The second half started with a similar theme. Home side with a lot of the ball and a Thornton defensive set up that was looking strong in their organisation and work rate. Two minutes into the half Craig rose at the back post but again Roberts dealt with the header with another text book save. Frustrations were building for KSH as they continued to try and break down a resolute Thornton. Trying to create clear cut chances were few and far between and the next period of the game saw a midfield battle with very little in goalmouth action. In fact the next good opportunity did not arrive until the 68th minute. Johnstone broke free from the shackles in midfield as he drifted wide right, the player manager played a pin point cross into the penalty area where Bryce collected the ball only to be denied with a brave save again from Roberts. The keeper raced off his goal line before blocking Bryces effort with his body. Doig thought he had scored when a header from a Johnstone free kick was acrobatically cleared on the goal line by Thomson.
With eight minutes remaining Ireland had a chance for a second goal only to be denied by a last ditch block from Doig. Despite their efforts KSH run out of time and the early goal turned out to be the only goal on the day as Thornton collected the three points . FT 0-1 Team : Swinton Young Doig Bremner Brewster Band Johnstone Rolland Craig Collins Bryce Subs R.Muir Lindsay Watson Mair Paterson
