Lugar increase their backroom staff.

Lugar Manager, George Grierson has moved swiftly to secure the services of Gary Russell. The ex-Whitletts Victoria player was released by the Ayr club last week and George has brought him on board at Lugar as a coach. George and Assistant Manager, Kevin Deeney, are both delighted with this new addition. Gary is the second coach to join Lugar in the last two weeks Another recent addition to the coaching staff is George Walker, George is a goalkeeping coach and both he and Gary bring a wealth of experience to the Rosebank set-up.

 

MUIRKIRK JUNIORS 1 LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE 2

 

7/3/'15 : AYRSHIRE DISTRICT LEAGUE

 

 

A Stuart Wark double kept Lugar in the promotion hunt but they were pushed all the way by a determined Muirkirk side. Ten minutes before kick-off the game was still in doubt as referee Calum Scott expressed concern about part of the Burnside Park pitch. Both teams had been warming up on it, however, and the consensus was that games have been played on far worse surfaces.

 

As expected, Lugar had most of the possession and an early run down the right by Roddy Paterson created a chance for Steven Shankland whose shot was blocked and, from the rebound, Wark hit the base of the post. Home 'keeper Shaun Kirkland made a fine one-handed save from a Shankland header off Alan Orr's cross but a goal was coming and it arrived in the 14th minute. Wark ran on to a pass from Roddy Paterson through a static defence and placed the ball past Kirkland for the opening goal.

 

The visitors might have been expected to press home their advantage even with the strong wind in their faces but they were unable to do so. Shankland couldn't get enough direction on a header off another cross from Orr then the hard-working Shankland flicked on a free kick from David Mathieson but Kirkland dived at the feet of Allan Paterson to snuff out the threat. The 'keeper was called on again to parry a shot from Roddy Paterson after the striker had dispossessed Scott Palmer. Muirkirk's best effort of the half was a wind-assisted free kick from Mark Eadie that goalkeeper Stephen Mather saved comfortably.

 

With the wind at their backs Lugar wasted a lot of possession by constantly over-hitting the ball although Kirkland did have to punch away a corner from Orr, then he held a rare header from Allan Paterson at the far post off a cross from Wark on the left. A great run by Allan Paterson ended with a stumble at the vital moment and Connor Mullen scrambled the ball away.

 

Kirkland then saved from Wark following good work by Orr and Lugar's failure to find a second goal was punished in the 61st minute when Shaun Gallagher got in behind the defence only to be hauled down by James Cuthbertson. The latter was fortunate to see only a yellow card but Gallagher extracted retribution by scoring from the spot despite Mather getting hands on the ball.

 

Lugar seemed to have lost their way but they received a boost when Muirkirk's Eadie earned a second yellow card, leaving his team a man short for the last quarter. However, just as it seemed as if Muirkirk might hold out for a hard-earned point, with eight minutes left Wark got his head to a cross from Orr to send the ball sailing over the 'keeper and into the net for a goal that was greeted by more sighs of relief than cheers from Bunnets fans.

 

MUIRKIRK - Kirkland, Waite, Mullen, Baird, Palmer, Elder, Riddell, Eadie, Hampson, Gallagher, Hamilton.

Substitutes : O'Neill, Martin, Black, Pollock.

LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE - Mather, Todd, Peck, Cuthbertson, Mathieson, Blain, A.Paterson, R.Paterson, Wark, Shankland, Orr.

Substitutes : Watt, Mullen, Crombie, McCreadie, Kelly.