It was once again a tale of two halves for The Buffs after the honours were split even at a sunny Vale field Park after some late heroics from the home side. Sadly, despite Buffs’ much improved second half performance they could only earn themselves a point in a 2-2 result against Kilbirnie Ladeside.
It was a Buffs side that seen 3 changes from last weeks defeat in the Scottish Cup but despite this, it was The Buffs that had the first glimpse of goal in the game after Mark Lamont’s shot went just over the bar from a free kick from around the 25-yard mark. Kilbirnie’s first half dominance began when Jack MacCalman tried to switch the ball from a free kick, but his pass was under hit which allowed Kilbirnie to pounce and break forward quickly. Ladeside hero Jon Scullion played a through ball which set ,striker, Frizzel through but he delayed his shot for too long which allowed Buffs’ defenders to recover and block his eventual shot. As expected, it didn’t take long for the tasty challenges to begin flying in when Steven Tan went in straight-legged and fairly high on Buffs defender Ballantyne, but the referee judged the tackle only to be worth a yellow card. Around the 10 minute mark Kilbirnie had a free kick inside the Buffs half which allowed Scullion to whip a ball towards the back post which was sent back across the box for the unmarked Frizzel to finish into the bottom left corner. Kilbirnie then had a chance to double their lead soon after when a ball over the top of Adam Caldwell allowed the Ladeside winger to drive towards goal before firing a shot in which was saved by Ally McInnes in the Buffs net. Ally McInnes was called into action again when Kilbirnie got in behind, this time saving well with his feet. Buffs first clear chance of the half came when Bryan Boylan chased a ball in behind, unfortunately by the time he caught the ball the angle was too tight which allowed the Kilbirnie goalkeeper to save Boylan’s low driven effort. Another few half chances followed for both sides before Buffs’ best chance of the game came just before the half. Mark Lamont crossed a ball in towards the back post from a corner which MacCalman headed down towards the corner, but the Kilbirnie keeper done well to get down and get a hand on it.
Both sides came out into the second half fairly slowly but it was The Buffs who took the initiative and created the first opening of the half when, substitute, Josh Winton’s curling effort from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar. From the resulting corner, Lamont crossed a brilliant ball into the box where Bryan Boylan leaped highest and powered a header into the top left corner to equalise for The Buffs. The Buffs then began to pile the pressure on the hosts as Mark Lamont threaded a ball into the channel which let Blair Macintyre get to the byline before driving a ball across the box which evaded everyone. The Buffs onslaught did not let up though and after some good work form Winton and McLaughlin, Mark Lamont sent a ball in towards the box which landed at the feet of Campbell Mclean who battled well before hammering the ball into the top left corner to double his tally for the season. Everyone was treated to a great moment in the 65th minute when ,striker, Dylan Mackin returned to the pitch for the first time since October last year after battling hard to recover from a terrible knee injury. Buffs had chances to extend their lead but were pretty wasteful in front of goal which kept Kilbirnie in the game. Sadly, for The Buffs in the 92nd minute of the match a ball was whipped in from the left side and a poor attempt at a clearance from Chris Bell allowed the Kilbirnie sub to direct the ball towards goal, looping the ball over McInnes into the back of the net.
Buffs will feel disappointed to only be leaving Valefield Park with a point after leading 1-2 thanks to a good second 45 despite a lacklustre first half. Although not managing to hold out for all 3 points there were still some very positive signs in The Buffs performance which Kevin Kelly will be hoping to build on as they head into a run of 6 home games out of the next 8 matches.
