7.30pm 12 November 2021
West of Scotland League, Premier Division
Kilwinning Rangers 0 Hurlford United 2 (att 550)
I'd been surprised when Kilwinning Rangers moved out of their Abbey Park ground a couple of years ago, but they've turned a pitch at the Kilwinning Sports Club into a fine replacement.
I watched Kilmarnock's youth team at the ground back in 2009, but that was played on the pitch furthest from the entrance. Buffs Park - as Rangers' new home is called - is the nearer pitch.
It's fully enclosed, with an uncovered seated stand on the near side and plenty of covered standing on the far side and at both ends. It has the feel of a proper ground that could be fit for higher levels.
Kilwinning seem to be experimenting with Friday night games this season, presumably in the hope of attracting bigger crowds. I don't know how many normally turn up on a Saturday, but there was a good attendance for the visit of Ayrshire rivals Hurlford.
The visitors took control of the match from the start. They scored early, dominated the game, and doubled their advantage with a fantastic shot from distance. Both goals were scored by Jack Whittaker, who had an impressive evening.
Kilwinning's hopes of getting back into the game diminished when they had a player red-carded for a foul just before half time. They made a decent effort in second half, but created little more than half chances.
Hurlford seemed content to stick at 2-0, and the home side's night suffered a final blow with a second sending off about 10 minutes from time.
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