By Adam Lyon
Stewarton got the better of Kilbride in their final home game of the season thanks to a single second half goal. There was plenty of endeavour from both sides but quality was in short supply as both failed to get going in the final third.
Right from the get go the tone was set with end-to-end action and half chances.
There was lots of good play in and around the box but the final product was letting both sides down on the Stewarton AstroTurf pitch. The first half was a bit of a non-event as both teams battled in the middle of the park and neither keeper was really tested.
The second half was a completely different affair as Stewarton and Kilbride found their feet and their shooting boots.
Early in the half, United had a strong claim for a penalty as Ryan Corkin was felled in the box but referee Hannah McLean waved away the shouts.
Stewarton looked the more likely to score in the second half and finally got the breakthrough on the hour mark. Elliot Duffy played Middleton through on goal and he bent the ball around the keeper with Kilbride defenders in close company.
This got the home side pushing for a killer second and Laurence Jeffrey almost obliged, his sweet volley beating the keeper but rattling the crossbar.
Stewarton were knocking on the door and Middleton should have got his second of the game after heading over in a promising position.
Just as it looked like the game was going to calm down, the away side were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes to go after some wrestling at the corner flag.
The sending off actually spurred Kilbride on and they went close to an equaliser several times.
However, Stewarton were happy to run down the clock and the final whistle blew to bring a winning end to this season’s home campaign.
