It was a nerve-wracking watch for the Buffs supporters who had to watch their side struggle past Cumbernauld United 0-1 and endure a second half onslaught at the hands of hosts who will definitely feel they deserved so much more from the game. The Buffs put in a decent first-half performance, which seen them lead at the break thanks to a Jack McMahon goal, but did not seem to turn up for the second half, which forced some heroic defending from the Buffs’ defence to ensure the 3 points were headed back home to Kilwinning.
The Nauld had the first chance of the game when Bryan Boylan lost out to Jonny Hogg on the left wing. Hogg drove the ball forward into Mick Lone on the edge of the box, who had time to take a touch before hitting a powerful effort. Fortunately for The Buffs, his effort deflected off Blair MacIntyre and went wide of The Buffs goal.
It wasn’t long before Buffs would have their first chance when Dylan Duncan sent a low cross into the box. The ball missed out everyone, which allowed Lennox to retrieve the loose cross before sliding in Blair, who floated the ball perfectly to the back post where Jack McMahon was on hand to head the ball into the empty net, giving The Buffs the lead with just 5 minutes on the clock.
Jack McMahon had a great chance to double the lead shortly after when a Cumbernauld pass on the left-hand side of defence was intercepted and fortunately bounced into the path of McMahon, who was through on goal. McMahon won the battle with centre back, Adam Watt before attempting to place a half volley into the bottom right, which was saved brilliantly by McGill in the Cumbernauld goal.
Cumbernauld were throwing balls into the box consistently, but it was The Buffs who were creating the better of the chances. Bryan Boylan ran with the ball down the left before cutting the ball inside to Nathan Lennox, who took the ball in a great pocket of space. Nathan took a touch towards goal before shooting well over the bar from around the 25-yard mark.
The last chance of the half came when The Buffs launched a dangerous counter-attack which set up a 3v2 in The Buffs’ favour. Jack McMahon was driving with the ball through the centre of the pitch and had McLaughlin overlapping him on his right with Boylan out on the left wing. Instead of just rolling the ball through for Conor to get onto, Jack decided to try and play the much more difficult through ball for Boylan, which was cut out by the Cumbernauld defender and was a massive let-off for the hosts.
The first half was well contested by the 2 sides, with Cumbernauld testing The Buffs rear-guard with plenty of cross balls, but, in stark contrast to what would unfold in the second half, The Buffs edged things in terms of general play and definitely created more chances during the first 45.
The Nauld began their domination right from the off when the ball was fired up to striker Horn, who had too much time to control before flicking the ball over the top for right winger, Scott to run onto. The winger dribbled towards goal before wastefully lashing his effort well over the bar.
The Buffs did have a rare venture forward when Nathan Lennox swung a corner in from the left, which found MacIntyre at the back post, who headed Buffs’ only real chance of the second half wide of the near post.
Right winger, Scott proved to be a thorn in the side of The Buffs for the majority of the game and was causing trouble once again when he beat Euan Bowie on the byline before driving right across the Buffs box and laying the ball to Darren Bowie, who smashed a low effort towards the centre of the Buffs goal, which was well saved by the legs of Dylan Brown.
The Buffs could barely string 2 passes together the whole of the second half, and Cumbernauld had an excellent chance to equalise in the final minutes when, defender, Stobie had an effort cleared off the line. The Nauld had a deep free kick, which was switched all the way to back post and over the head of Fraser Malcolm. The ball was then headed back across goal and eventually broke to the penalty spot, where Fraser Stobie sent a driven effort towards the bottom right corner of the goal. The effort beat Brown, but Euan Bowie managed to block the shot just as it looked like The Nauld had finally got their deserved equaliser.
The Buffs were pretty woeful in possession in the second half but defended resolutely when defending their box to extend their side’s lead atop the WOSFL Division 1. Kevin Kelly will be delighted his side managed to get over the line but will need to ensure he does not see another second half performance like that if he wants his side to be a WOSFL Premier Division club next campaign. The result now sets up a mammoth run in which will see The Buffs play nearly all of the top sides in their remaining games.
