Michael Kennedy saluted dynamic Darvel after a 3-1 Monday Night Football win over Rutherglen Glencairn.
Goals from Scott Ferguson, Ross Caldwell and Darren Miller sank the home side who had earlier equalised through Craig Leitch. Daryll Meggatt was sent-off late-on for the East Ayrshire title challengers.
It was a good night’s work overall at the Hamish B. Allan Stadium in South Lanarkshire for ‘Vale who leapfrogged Hurlford United into fifth place in the West of Scotland League Premier Division table.
Kennedy’s troops are 14 points behind Auchinleck Talbot in second – but have five games in hand. Leaders Pollok are a further point in front of ‘Vale, who have played eight fewer matches than the Glasgow-based pace-setters.
It’s going to be a hectic end-of-season run-in for Darvel who are back in action tomorrow at struggling Rossvale before a tricky visit to Kilbirnie Ladeside this Saturday.
Reflecting on his side’s triumph over Rutherglen, boss Kennedy told the Kilmarnock Standard: “The main thing was getting the three points but I think it was as convincing as we’ve been all season.
“We created numerous opportunities and it should have been way more comfortable than 3-1. I thought some of our play was really pleasing to watch.
“This is a hard place to come. I know a lot of other clubs have struggled to come here and pick up convincing wins but I thought we were dominant throughout the whole game.
“I think the only disappointing thing was not scoring more goals but in terms of the general performance and the opportunities created, there was some exciting stuff to watch.”
Darvel took the lead in the fourth minute with a stylish finish from midfielder Ferguson.
But Glens levelled three minutes later when Tommy Lone’s set-piece into the area wasn’t dealt with and Leitch smuggled the ball home from close range.
In the 26th minute, though, Darvel attacked with pace from a disputed throw-in with Caldwell finding the back of the net.
Lewis Morrison missed a glorious chance to add a third in the 39th minute with Glens keeper Scott McLellan pulling off a great save to deny Andy Stirling a minute later.
Darvel gave themselves valuable breathing space just after the restart when Miller struck from distance.
Midway through the second half, the excellent Caldwell teed up Ian McShane but his fierce strike was blocked smartly by McLellan.
In the 76th minute, ‘Vale almost had a fourth through an own goal as the ball hit the post with Morrison blazing the rebound over the bar.
With a couple of minutes remaining, full-back Meggatt was red-carded for denying a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity but Darvel saw it out.
Kennedy added: “We made a great start then conceded a slack goal but, to be fair, we recovered well and had a pretty dominant first half.
“In the second half, I thought they started well but the game settled into a normal rhythm and we should have gone on to win more comfortably.”
On Caldwell’s star show, Kennedy said: “I’ve said to him in there that’s probably as good as he’s been since he came to Darvel. He was outstanding.
“There were dominant performances throughout the full team but Ross stood out and both he and Mac [McShane] were excellent together.”
When asked how ready Darvel were for their packed schedule, Kennedy said: “We thought we were well equipped but we’ve had two injuries and Daryll’s been sent-off but this is going to happen.
“We just need to get through as many games as possible and see where we are in a couple of weeks.”
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