WHISKY Macs took another decisive step towards the defence of their Kintyre and District Amateur League title as they defeated Campbeltown United 3-1 to move six points ahead of the schoolboys.
A threadbare United side, which incidentally took the lead, found the industrious pub side a tough team to break down, and paid the price as three second half goals resigned the young men to defeat for the fourth time this season.
The first-half saw little enterprise from either outfit, Whisky Macs seemingly content to use counter – attack play while playing up the sloped Meadows pitch, and United, with the advantage of the slope to create a couple of opportunities, notably a missed penalty by Craig Lang, and a one on one situation where Jamie Morris couldn’t quite get his shot away.
A goal in the closing five minutes of the half by David Johnstone, rounding Neil McSporran to finish with ease, was all that separated the sides at the interval.
The second period saw Whisky Macs defend resolutely, to the frustration of the schoolboys. Around the hour mark, two quick-fire goals signalled a remarkable reverse for the away side, as substitute Robert Judge’s cracking left – foot shot directed into the United net via the post, and then Anthony Rutherford’s run and shot sneaked in at the near post, to Whisky’s support’s evident delight.
United, knowing that defeat would diminish their hopes of winning the district league, pressed incessantly, with attack after attack mounted, but crucially, to no goal-scoring effect.
More anguish for the schoolboys, and further celebration from Whisky Macs as they took a 3-1 lead with a goal in the 88th minute, as Chris McAllister slotted home a penalty.
United still applied huge pressure on the away side, but to no avail, as Macs held on for a well earned victory to take their points tally onto 21 from a possible 24.
