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On a sunny Wednesday evening Irvine and Grange met in front of a large crowd to decide who would be finishing the night as Ayrshire’s champions. After a tight match, Irvine won by a single goal thanks to a Dylan Mackin double in a game where they were the better side for large periods.

Mackin was constant threat throughout the game and the first chance of the match came from his good work. He stayed strong inside the area to keep the ball and got himself to the by-line on the right hand side of the area. He got a cross in towards the front post where his team mate was arriving but he could only put his shot wide from six yards out.

Irvine nearly took the lead again mid-way through the first half as Kyle Graham made a lung-busting run from his left back position to the edge of Grange’s box. He squared the ball to Mackin who took the shot first time and did not connect properly enabling Grange’s James Hanlin to make an easy save. In that situation, the striker had a lot more time than he realised and could have taken a touch before getting his shot off.

Irvine continued o press and created another chance on the half-hour mark. A long throw in was aimed towards Mackin who flicked the ball on and into the path of Jordan Greenlees who had broken from midfield. Greenlees got himself into the area and smashed his shot straight at the keeper who had come out to close down the attacker.

Moments later saw Grange create their first opportunity and it was a very good chance that they could not take. They worked the ball smartly across the pitch, starting from their left wing and the ball found its way to their right winger who had loads of space inside the opposition penalty area. He took a touch and smashed his shot wide from a tight angle but he should have done better given the time he had.

At half time the sides went in level at 0-0. Irvine were the better side throughout the half as they created much more chances than their opponents. Grange, though, did defend very strongly against the pressure they were under.

Half Time: Irvine Royal Academy 0 – 0 Grange Academy

Minutes after the restart Irvine were able take the lead with the first opportunity of the second half. A long ball played in Dylan Mackin who gathered the ball on the edge of the area. He drove inside the box and finished smartly with his right foot to give his side an early advantage in the second period.

Grange responded well and could have got themselves level minutes later. A long ball was played down their right hand side towards their right winger who was able to get a cross in first time towards the penalty spot. His team mate won the header but his effort went wide from twelve yards.

That miss was punished as mid-way through the half Irvine doubled their lead. Dylan Mackin got his second of the game as he was played in with another through ball and was cool enough to lob the on-rushing keeper.

Grange, again, responded well to conceding and were able to bring themselves back into the game with the next noteworthy chance and set up a tense final ten minutes. The ever-dangerous right winger was given the ball inside the Irvine box where he had broken the offside trap and had loads of space. He smashed a shot across Kyle McLelland who made a great save. The rebound though ran to Craig Ryden following in and he had the easy job of tapping into an empty net.

Grange stepped up the pressure in the remaining minutes but could not manage anymore clear-cut chances. Irvine were able to hold strong and maintain their lead as the full time whistle blew confirming their win.

At full time Irvine had won 2-1. They were the better side throughout the game – especially in the first half – and had the chances to put the game out of Grange’s reach much early on in the match. Grange did well to stay in the game for so long and had their best spell as the match came to an end.

Full Time: Irvine Royal Academy 2 – 1 Grange Academy