Kilwinning ran out 2-0 winners in an entertaining friendly at Abbey Park on Friday night with goals from Frye and Wardrope enough to put the Ants to the sword. There was only 8 minutes on the clock when Kilwinning had a great chance to go ahead when the ref pointed to the spot despite no claims from….well anyone really, but Patrick in the Ants goal made a great save from Winters and the deadlock remained unbroken. It would stay like that until the 30th minute when a quick free kick caught the Ants defence flat footed and Frye could make no mistake from a yard out. Kilwinning had the lions share of possession but the Ants looked dangerous on the break with Gordon and Heron linking up well to see the latter shoot just over then just before half time Milarvie had a great chance to level but he leaned back and fired over.
The second half started in the same way as the first…With a penalty to Kilwinning, this time an Ants defender was judged to have deliberately handled the ball inside the box. Wardrope stepped up and made no mistake from the spot making it 2-0 to the home side. The Ants to their credit kept plugging away and came close a couple of times but to no avail. The match ended on a somewhat sour note when Kilwinning were reduced to 10 men when a Sub caught Neossi with an elbow as he challenged for a high ball, Ants were also reduced to 10 as Ronnie McDonald was sent off for protesting to the player about the challenge, and shown a second yellow by the ref and then in the last minute defender Chris Black was stretchered off with a knee injury after his studs appeared to get caught in the Abbey Park surface.
Another good workout for the Ants as they build towards the start of the season. Thanks very much to everyone at Kilwinning for the match and good luck to the Buffs this season
