YFS
With a gluttony of goals in the first of the day’s finals at Dam Park, these two league rivals went head-to-head for the William Taylor Cup, and more scoring was on the menu. Kilwinning and Glenburn fixtures have not lacked for goals and entertainment this season, with the young Buffs edging the last league encounter 4-3. This winner takes all tie delivered up more of the same, with the league leaders eventually coming away with the silverware.
For a while it looked like being a more convincing win as Kilwinning looked to have built an unassailable lead in the first half, but a spirited Glenburn fightback made this a contest into the closing stages. Daniel Ross's late penalty eventually settled any jitters as the Buffs closed out the first leg of a potential treble.
Clinical finishing was to prove the difference in such an even contest. Glenburn were to see a lot of the ball, particularly in the first half, without making the most of opportunities that fell their way.
Either side of Kilwinning’s opener Glenburn should indeed have been on the scoresheet, with ian Rankin shooting over on 14 minutes, and Jordan Barr firing straight at George Scott on 19 minutes. In between Rangers gave them a lesson in finishing as they took the lead on 26 minutes.
Graeme Condon was to be a powerful threat all day up front for Kilwinning, and Patrick Hamill found the free kick delivery for the striker into the box, to rise unmarked at the back post to nod the ball in off the woodwork. It all seemed to knock the wind out of Glenburn as the Buffs went on to double their advantage four minutes later. And it was a fine individual effort as Steven Campbell dashed into space down the right side of the box, and his angled shot flashed across goal into Lewis McMurdo’s opposite corner for number 2.
Kilwinning were now happy to settle on their lead, inviting Glenburn to break them down and use Condon’s presence up front on the counter. Glenburn continued to see a lot of the ball in midfield, but Fraser Smith and Alexander Bell could not craft anything to hurt the Buffs back line. Instead it was the league leaders who looked to have put the tin lid on it before half time with goal number 3.
Again the danger game down the Glenburn left as Jordan Burt stole a yard on his marker to drill a low cross across the box for Condon to tap home his second of the game. 42 minutes gone and Kilwinning seemed in complete control of this tie. It was a half time scoreline which didn't reflect the run of play, but was instead a lesson in how to take your chances.