By Sean Duthart

Muirkirk extended their impressive unbeaten run to eleven matches with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Benburb at New Tinto last night.

Wind and rain didn’t stop the local crowd, an impressive number travelled up from Ayrshire and were enjoying the local hospitality.

Image Credit Muirkirk Twitter

Fresh from booking their place in the Strathclyde Demolition WoSFL cup semi final, confidence was clearly high in the Muirkirk camp, but they were made to work for all three points in dreadful conditions that tested both sides throughout.

Despite relentless rain and a slick surface, a decent crowd turned out for the WoSFL first division match, and they were rewarded with a disciplined and determined performance from the travelling side.

Battling the Conditions

With the weather playing a major role, flowing football was always going to be a struggle. The rain made the pitch slick and even more unpredictable, forcing both teams to adopt a more direct approach early on.

Muirkirk started brightly, looking to impose themselves despite the conditions. Benburb were resorting to trying to switch the play with balls out to the wing, Muirkirk tried to adapt the short passing and moving.

The first half went by without anything to note, the only exception was when the home crowd were getting animated with the referee and the lack of calls going the way of the home side.

Goals Finally Came

The breakthrough came in the second half, when the ball was fizzed into the box, whilst it was like watching pinball it fell at Menzies feet, and he dually obliged to turn and hit it into the bottom corner leaving Law in goals with no chance. 

Benburb tried to respond to the opening goal, but within ten minutes, like the first goal the ball was crossed into the box with Brew scoring the second and ultimately the winning goal. 

As the second half drew on, the rain continued to batter the pitch, resorting to some of the crowd either leaving early or going into the clubhouse to watch the match.

Benburb tried to come back into the game with some changes made and even replacing the captain McCrone with some fresh legs. 

Muirkirk had more chances with a headed chance put into the box by the left back and very impressive Lewis McCracken. Again, the standout play fizzed a cross come shot at the Bens goal and the keeper made an important but outstanding save to send it for a corner.

The game petered on and just like that after a few breaks up the park by both sides the ref blew his whistle and the game was done.

Image Credit Muirkirk Twitter

On a night when the weather threatened to spoil proceedings, Muirkirk’s short passing and clinical finishing ensured the rain was merely a backdrop to an important victory.

Speaking to fans of both sides last night after the game it was night and day. The Muirkirk fan I spoke to said ” It was going to be a tough game against a side who achieved a few good results on the bounce, but we have also been on a good run.” The Bens fan said to me ” We knew it would be a battle, but the rain and wind didn’t let us play and to be fair Muirkirk they took their chances.”

The WoSFL has a reputation of having a good atmosphere and good games. The weather last night might have kept a lid on the fans suffering in Arctic like conditions but two good sides with one coming out on top.