Caple Amateurs secure victory in first ever fixture
 
Newly formed Ardencaple Amateurs travelled to Lochwinnoch at the weekend to face Viewfield Rovers from the Caledonian League in their very first fixture. Despite missing a couple of players due to injury and holidays, Coach Johhny O’Brien assembled a strong squad of fifteen players, all of whom featured over 90 minutes played in tiring conditions under a hot sun. The home side had been busy too during the close season and had strengthened their squad considerably with a number of new signings including a few from the Ayrshire Junior ranks.
 
Caple started brightly and enjoyed long spells of possession playing attractive football and breaking fast from midfield, which caused the Viewfield defence some problems although clear cut chances were few and far between. However, after 30 minutes Caple should have reinforced their superiority by taking the lead but a powerful header from Shaun Wallace crashed against the crossbar. 5 minutes later and the crossbar was again to deny them as a delightful free kick from 20 yards by Ross Willis hit the woodwork. Caple were now dominating the match and took a well-deserved lead in the 40th minute when skipper Paul Cavana forced his way into the opposition box before unleashing a curling shot that dipped over the keeper’s reach and into the back of the net.
 
Half-time: Viewfield Rovers AFC – 0 v 1 – Ardencaple AFC
 
Caple made changes at half-time and used all 4 substitutes. The second half started in similar fashion with Caple on top and Karl Johansson dictating play from the middle of the park. Viewfield threatened on occasion and Caple had to rely upon the agility of keeper Lubo Russell to maintain their lead when he dived spectacularly to tip a free -kick over the bar. However, all was to change and with 20 minutes remaining Caple were reduced to ten men when Ross Willis received a red card for dissent following a spat with the referee after he awarded a dubious free-kick. This seemed to give the home side a lift but they were unable to break down a strong Caple back line. In fact, Caple should have sealed their victory with 10 minutes left when Ross Jeffrey released David Holborn on the halfway line but after a long run into the opposition box he dinked his shot narrowly past. In the dying minutes Viewfield almost clinched an equaliser when their striker was through on goal but keeper Lubo saved the day.
 
Full-time: Viewfield Rovers AFC – 0 v 1 – Ardencaple AFC
 
Caple Manager, Craig Holborn commented “What a great start, the lads have put a huge amount of effort into pre-season training and were rewarded today with a thoroughly deserved victory. A wee piece of history too, our very first game ever as amateurs after 50 years as a Club, and quite fitting that Cava our captain scored our first ever goal. We now look forward to completing the rest of a busy pre-season schedule, to improving our level of fitness and of course our discipline and getting ready for our first competitive tie, a league cup fixture vs Gourock Athletic on 8th August.”
 
Caple: Russell, Gallagher, McKenzie, Hyslop, Willis, Johansson, Cavana, Harkin, Holborn, Wallace, McKell. Subs: Livingston, Jeffrey, Angus, Callendar.