TWO Robert Patterson goals against his former club helped Whitletts to the three points in a hard fought league cup encounter at Hamilton Park.

The Dam Park side started strongly and should have taken the lead in the 3rd minute when young Andy Kerr was sent clear but he appeared to be caught in two minds and in the end shot tamely at the keeper.

Sandy Robertson was impressive for Girvan in the first half and in seven minutes, he was denied by a fine save from Dan McColgan who tipped his shot over the crossbar.  On the counter-attack, Patterson shot straight at Nathan Sloan in the Girvan goal who again denied Patterson with a fine block.

Girvan were pressing forward at every opportunity but the main threat was coming from Robertson who again was denied by McColgan making the save at his near post.

Vics though were creating the better chances and Isaac Kerr should have scored from an Andy Kerr corner but headed just over at the back post. But in 37 minutes the home side took the lead. A deep cross into the box from Dylan Thirtle picked out Robertson who this time gave McColgan no chance with a thumping bicycle kick.

The visitors response was swift. David Cunningham went close with a shot from 20 yards and in the 39th minute they were back on level terms. Andy Kerr the provider and Patterson finishing with a low angled left foot shot across the keeper.

Level at the break, it was Vics who created the first opportunity of the second period when Cunningham rose but headed over a Craig Reid corner-kick. 

Whitletts were beginning to take a grip on the game and in 55 minutes, they took the lead. Once again Andy Kerr the provider with a low ball across goal which the keeper should probably have cut out and Patterson was on hand to sweep the ball home from close range.

Three minutes later it was 3-1.  Again it was Andy Kerr’s cross into the box that Thomas Donovan met on the volley. Sloan could only parry the shot and Donovan reacted quickest to knock home the rebound.

At that point it looked as if Whitletts would go on an win the game comfortably but Girvan had other ideas and press forward in an attempt to get back into the game.  Formers Vics Amateurs player, Jackson Stevenson went close with a drive from 22 yards and then McColgan pulled off an outstanding save to deny Robertson from eight yards.

As the game entered the closing 10 minutes, Girvan had a great chance to reduce the leeway but Thirtle couldn’t get on the end of Thomas Dempsie’s low cross at the back post and the Vics goal survived as the visitors claimed the points to set up a showdown with Maybole at Ladywell Stadium tonight (Wednesday) to determine who progresses from the group to the last 16 of the competition.

GIRVAN:  N Sloan; Caldwell, Robertson. Marshall (Stevenson 57) Balfour L Sloan (Smith 48) Thirtle, Harvey,  Davidson, Brown, Dempsie. Subs (not used)  Currie, O’Donnell

WHITLETTS VICTORIA: McColgan; Findlay, Millar, I Kerr, Cunningham (Anderson 66) Donovan (Baird 77)  Patterson, Davidson, Reid, A Kerr, Brown