Muirkirk Juniors v Darvel FC 21.2.2026

Muirkirk Juniors v Darvel FC 21.2.2026

Riordan Craig

On Saturday, a depleted Darvel side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Muirkirk Juniors, with the visitors having made seven changes to their lineup through injuries and suspension.

The home side dominated throughout, with the Vale creating a few chances of their own, but a goal in the 17^th minute sealed the three points for Muirkirk.

From the kick off, Scott Lewis charged down the right wing, before floating in a dangerous cross which Muirkirk cleared.

The hosts quickly gained control from there. A cross was deflected off a Darvel body onto the post. A Muirkirk free kick was then deflected just wide, a header from the resulting corner was sent wide of the post.

With eight minutes played, Darvel got a good chance to open the scoring. Lewis fed Robbie McDougall, who cut it back for Daniel Burns, but his shot was blocked.

Darvel started to push for an opener. Burns forced a save out of the home goalkeeper from the edge of the box, before Gary Fraser sent a direct free kick over the bar.

After 15 minutes, Andy Wilson was called into action, denying the home side following a defensive mistake.

Two minutes later, Darvel fell behind. A ball over the top was latched onto by Muirkirk’s Ethan Brew, who slotted past Wilson for the opener.

The goal seemed to spur the hosts on as they attempted a strike from distance, but it had too much on it to test Wilson.

Burns remained lively for the visitors as a cross in by Darvel’s number nine was blocked and ultimately cleared by the home defence.

With 21 minutes on the clock, Aiden Quinn picked up the first booking of the game following a late challenge just outside the box. The free kick was blocked by the wall, with the rebound blazed over the bar.

Muirkirk twice came close to extending their lead but were denied both times by Andy Wilson.

A throw-in caused a bit of chaos in the Darvel penalty box, but the visitors eventually cleared the danger.

Muirkirk won four corners in quick succession but failed to take advantage and test Darvel’s goalkeeper.

Darvel got a decent opportunity to test the home defence from a free kick on the left side of the area, but the delivery was cleared by the hosts and the Vale went 1-0 down into the break.

Muirkirk started the second half the way they ended the first as an early strike from distance went just wide of the post.

The visitors came close to parity in the 48^th minute. A corner was whipped in and a headed towards goal, but the home goalkeeper saved it on the line. Muirkirk countered and sent another shot wide of the mark.

The hosts kept coming. A corner routine was flicked on at the front post and Darvel cleared the danger at the back post. Another strike from distance had Wilson rooted to the spot and, fortunately for Darvel, skimmed the crossbar. The hosts got another good chance, but the volley was sent well wide.

Back-to-back corners for the Vale caused issues for the hosts. A second delivery from the initial corner was met by a Darvel head and saved, whilst the second corner was played short to Jamie Bowman who fired wide. Bowman, again, got in behind but his shot was blocked.

Muirkirk got chances of their own from there. Wilson tipped a cross away from danger, before another cross was blocked. The resulting corner was met by a Muirkirk player, who couldn’t get his effort on target.

Just before the hour, Muirkirk created a massive chance. The ball was played into the area, but they missed the target from yards out. Darvel counter, but Reece McGuire’s tame attempt was easily held by the home goalkeeper.

Andy Wilson was called into action two more times after that, first holding an attempt and then producing another save to stop Muirkirk from making it 2-0. Between both chances, Darvel hit the side netting.

After 75 minutes, McGuire again forced a routine save from the home goalkeeper. Soon after, a late challenge from Scott Lewis saw him become the second player in the referee’s book.

A stunning fingertip save from Wilson denied the hosts again, before he easily claimed another shot from the home side, as Darvel lost 1-0.