A new club, Ardrossan Seafield Athletic, was founded in 1898. Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic continued to be the most active club and Ardrossan Snowflake Minstrels played one reported game.
ARDEER RANGERS 1
- ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 0
The Castlehill
Athletic travelled to Stevenston on Saturday (15 January 1898) to play their
return match with Ardeer Rangers on Warner Park. In the first half, the homesters
were pretty much confined to their own territory but the shooting of the visitors
was decidedly 'oph', many easy chances being thrown away. Half-time found both
teams equal with no goals scored. The second half was more evenly contested
although, just at the finish, the Rangers managed to find an opening and scored
the only goal of the match thus winning by one goal to nothing. Throughout the
game, play was of a very ragged description and the result is by no means a
true index of the play. Tomorrow, the Athletic try conclusions with a
Saltcoats select team on Montfod Field. An
interesting game may be expected as it is understood that the select team will
include several of the late Saltcoats Victoria players. Would it be possible
- and we think it would - to raise in the district a senior team to fill the
place of 'the late Saltcoats Victoria'? It would be somewhat unusual to have
a junior team inaugurating a senior one but the idea, it will be apparent, is
quite a feasible one and we would venture to commend its consideration to the
officials of the Castlehill Athletic club. There is no lack of football
talent in the locality and it is unfortunate that the want of a proper field
has hitherto provided a barrier to the organisation of a representative senior
eleven. The Castlehill lads have a field and a very serviceable clubhouse
also. The financial part of the matter is not such a difficulty as it may at
first appear. The players would not require payment. At least, we are of the
opinion that first-class footballers will be found in the neighbourhood - as
in the ranks of the Athletic - who are willing to play the game for its
own sake. The Castlehill Athletic club has done more for athletics generally
in the district than is at present apparent and we hope to hear of a senior
eleven by next season. The club, we think, might with advantage direct attention
to other branches of athletics rather than confine itself to football.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald,
21 January 1898
There was no report on the match with the Saltcoats select
team in the following week's Herald.
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC TO PLAY VALE OF GARNOCK
We understand that Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic will engage Vale of
Garnock tomorrow, Saturday (12 March 1898) at Montfod
Park.
The occasion is a tie in the Irvine and District Consolation Cup competition
and as this is the first time the Vale has visited the district, we hope to
see a good turnout. The Athletics will have to put their best foot forward
if they wish to graduate a stage further in the ties.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 11 March 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 3 - VALE OF GARNOCK 2
After a lengthy term of inaction, the Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic juniors
found employment last Saturday (12 March 1898) at Montfod
Park. The occasion was a tie in the initial round of the Irvine and District
Consolation Cup competition and their opponents were the Vale of Garnock. This
tie, we believe, was expected to have been played off somewhere about last Christmas
but for some unexplained reason, it was postponed till last Saturday and the
teams accordingly met at the place appointed before a fair concourse of onlookers
but when the representative sides were ready to take the field, it leaked out
that the 'knight of the whistle' appointed to referee the match had not made
his appearance. This was unfortunate and the teams had good cause to feel indignation
over his non-arrival. However, the players were not to be denied and in order
to get out of the difficulty, the two captains agreed to select a gentleman
from among the spectators to act as referee, the game to be played as a cup-tie.
This was done and hostilities were at once commenced but it is a question whether
the Association will accept of the game played as a cup-tie. The game was fairly
well-contested on the whole in the first half of which the Vale registered a
couple of goals and the Athletic one. During the second period, the homesters
succeeded best at goal as they placed another two points to their total. On
the other hand, the Vale failed to supplement their score and the Athletics
ran out winners of the game by the narrow margin of three to two. We learn that
the Vale has lodged a protest against one of the Athletic players whom
they consider was ineligible to play, being a senior. We were always under the
impression that protests had to be lodged with the referee and seeing that the
gentleman appointed by this Association to take charge of the game was not present,
we take it upon ourselves to say that the Vale's protest must be consider informally
lodged. Moreover, the very absence of the referee is, in our opinion, a strong
argument why the match last Saturday should be rendered null and void and we
will be more than surprised if the Association does not order the tie to be
replayed from Montfod Park.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 18 March 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC MATCH POSTPONED AGAIN
Owing to the undecided tie between Galston Athletic and Kilmarnock Winton having
been fixed for Saturday (16 April 1898), the Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic
juniors have again been disappointed. They were looking forward to a match with
Galston Athletic at Ardrossan but the Montfod youths will require to
wait another week at least before the Ayrshire finalists can oblige.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 15 April 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC AND VALE OF GARNOCK REPLAY ORDERED
We understand the cup-tie game between Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic
and Vale of Garnock clubs in the Irvine and District Junior Consolation Cup
competition has been ordered by the Association to be replayed at Montfod
Park, Ardrossan on Saturday first (23 April 1898) on condition that the
Vale square up an account with another club before that date, failing which
the tie will be awarded to the Ardrossan club. It will be remembered
these teams met at Ardrossan to play off the tie but, owing to the referee appointed
by the Association to take charge of the game not turning up, the two captains
agreed to select a referee from among the spectators on the understanding that
the game would be played as a cup-tie which resulted in favour of the Athletics
by three goals to two. This game, we held, to be null and void and the Association
has confirmed our opinion by ordering a replayal of the tie.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 22 April 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC AND VALE OF GARNOCK CUP-TIE AWARDED TO ATHLETIC
We understand the Consolation cup-tie between Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic
and Vale of Garnock which was ordered by the Irvine and District Association
to be replayed at Ardrossan last Saturday (23 April 1898) has been awarded to
the Athletic. The Vale, it appears, failed to settle an account with
another club within the prescribed time stated by the Association and the Vale
has been suspended until payment is made. In the Association awarding the tie
to the Athletic, this decision brings them into the semi-final stage
of the competition. When this tie is expected to be played, we have not learned,
but the fact that Hurlford Thistle will be their opponents should suffice to
stir up the Athletic brigade for the occasion.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 29 April 1898
ARDROSSAN SNOWFLAKE AMATEUR
MINSTRELS CONCERT
This
excellent troupe of Minstrels will give a concert in the Assembly Hall, Ardrossan
tonight, Friday (29 April 1898). As in all their previous appearances, the surplus
proceeds will go to local charities so that purchasers of tickets have the conscientious
to doing a good action while giving themselves an evening's enjoyment. The programme
contains a number of first-route songs and offers ample scope for showing off
the capabilities of the artistes.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 29 April 1898
This is the opening paragraph of a longer report.
ARDROSSAN SNOWFLAKE AMATEUR
MINSTRELS CONCERT
These witty men gave their last concert for the season in the Assembly Hall,
Ardrossan on Friday evening last (29 April 1898). The programme was a good one,
catchy airs, lively choruses and witty patter abounding. The orchestral accompaniments
were of a very superior class. There was a good attendance and the reception
accorded the several artistes evinced hearty appreciation of their efforts.
The season's public appearances have had an excellent effect.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 6 May 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC SEMI-FINAL
Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic and Hurlford Thistle will, we understand,
face each other tomorrow, Saturday (7 May 1898) at Montfod
Park, ground of the former, to decide their semi-final tie for the Irvine
and District Consolation Cup. Should the Ardrossan youths survive the ordeal,
we believe an effort will be made to have the final tie decided at Stevenston.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 6 May 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 1 - HURLFORD THISTLE 3
The Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic juniors played their last cup-tie of
the season last Saturday (7 May 1898) at Montfod
Park. The occasion was a semi-final tie for the Irvine and District Consolation
Cup and the visitors to the district were Hurlford Thistle, a club which at
one time held a good name in junior circles. Time, it seems, has wrought changes
with this junior organisation and on Saturday, the Hurlford representation which
appeared at Montfod was, we were informed,
quite a pick-up eleven. All the same, they appeared to possess a fair knowledge
of the game as was afterwards seen and in the matter of weight seemed to have
advantage over the Monfodians who, it may be mentioned, have played very few
games during the season and on that account were not so proficient in the game
as they might otherwise have been. Nevertheless, the Athletics cherished
the hope that they would qualify to play the final for the trophy but as the
sequel will show, this hope was not realised. The afternoon was a good one for
football and the attendance of onlookers, though small, was believed to have
been the best seen at Montfod. There was
a fair breeze when operations commenced and winning the choice of ends, the
Ardrossan lads decided to play the first half with the elements in their
favour. For the first twenty minutes, play was mainly carried out on Hurlford
territory during which the homesters evinced great keenness to open the scoring
department but in their eagerness spoiled several good chances by shooting wide
of the mark. The Hurlford defence stood up well to the attacks made on their
stronghold and at length their forwards broke through the ground opposition
and for the first time charged the home trust, a parting effort colliding with
one of the uprights. At this point, the Athletic goal underwent a narrow
shave from being captured for on the sphere rebounding into play after striking
the upright, it rolled across the mouth of the home goal and went out at the
foot of the opposite upright. The Hurlford lads thus lost a splendid chance
to score and no doubt experience hard lines when they shook the home timber
with their first effort. Play was transferred to the other end but again the
homesters were repulsed empty-handed. Play was keen on both sides but still
the current ran best with the locals who lacked decision at goal. As time advanced,
Hurlford opened out better and several times put the ground defence to the test
among whom Greene on the left shone most conspicuously when the pinch came.
Hurlford failed to make any impression on their opponents' citadel and although
several good tries were effected by the Montfod
at the other end, they too had to content themselves without a single morsel
of comfort further than that they had the best of matters in the first moiety
of the contest which ended with no goals being scored. When the second period
was resumed, the wind had somewhat moderated though there was still a little
puff left to favour the miner lads who were now expected to run off with the
game. Right well they started and ere five minutes elapsed, the Montfod
custodian had to acknowledge himself beaten by Richmond with the initial goal
of the match. The Hurlford boys seemed to be on the right road to success and
several of them were already elated at the prospects before them but they were
not allowed to have such a monopoly of the play as their opponents enjoyed in
the early stages of the first half. One goal down only served the Montfod
to their work more than ever and before fifteen minutes of this half had gone,
a brisk assault on the part of the homesters was crowned with success for which
Armour was responsible with a fine shot. This success put a different complexion
on the game and the fact that the teams were on level terms with one point each
made the game interesting to the admirers of the home team. A short time later,
however, Hurlford again took up the running by notching a second goal and once
more it was a stiff uphill battle for the Athletics who struggled gamely
to get on equal terms with their rivals. Time and again, they invaded Hurlford's
goal but to no purpose and ultimately a third point was bracketed by the visitors.
It was now felt to be all over with the Athletics who continued to have
a share of the game but failed to lessen the gap which separated the teams and
victory thus rested in favour of Hurlford Thistle by three goals to one. The
Athletics, in our opinion, threw away the game in the first half. They
ought to have scored several times during that period but they did not take
advantage of the opportunities which opened up to them.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 13 May 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC TO PLAY GALSTON ATHLETIC
We understand the Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic juniors will play their
last match of the season tomorrow (28 May 1898). They will travel to Galston
and there engage the Ayrshire Junior Cup finalists, Galston Athletic, in a friendly.
Should the local team turn out strongly, the Ardrossan boys may expect
their last game to be a hard one.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 27 May 1898
There was no match report in the following week's Hearld.
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC COMPETE IN FIVE-A-SIDE TOURNEY
On Saturday last (18 June 1898), Cochrane Park, Irvine was the venue for a junior
football tourney and a dribbling race. The principal event was the five-a-side
football competition for which gold badges are offered to the winners. Nine
teams entered and the first two rounds were played off, the semi-final and final
ties to take place on Saturday 2 July. The teams which graduated into the semi-final
stage were Montgreenan number one, Ayr Ardenvilla, Rising Star and Meadow Eleven
number one. Among the losing teams was a representation from the Ardrossan
Castlehill Athletic - Green, Inglis, McKillop, Miller and Brown - who were
beaten in the first round by Ayr Ardenvilla. After playing a drawn game of two
goals each, the Ayr boys managed to score the winning goal during the extra
time which had to be played.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 24 June 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC PLAYER PLAYS FOR GALSTON ATHLETIC
J Green of the Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic assisted Galston Athletic
on Saturday (20 August 1898) in their opening match of the season with Kilmarnock
Winton. He had the honour to score the initial goal for the Athletics who defeated
the Ayrshire champions.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 26 August 1898
AYRSHIRE
JUNIOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION MEETING
On Tuesday night (23 August 1898), the Association met at Kilmarnock. The Ayr
and Largs and District Associations applied for affiliation. The Ayr application
was delayed until their rules were submitted and Largs will be accepted provided
their rules are in accordance with those governing this Association. The secretary
reported there were three clubs less in the Association this year - thirty-two
against thirty-five. Twelve clubs were defunct and there were nine new clubs.
The following are the drawings in the first round of the competition.
Irvine District
Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic v Montgreenan Rangers
Beith Gateside Thistle v Irvine Meadow Eleven
Troon Portland v Crosshouse
Irvine Caledonia - a bye
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 26 August 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC TO PLAY IRVINE CALEDONIA
We understand the Ardrossan Castlehill youths intend to commence operations
tomorrow (3 September 1898) at Montfod Park
where they will try conclusions with Irvine Caledonia. The last time these teams
met at Ardrossan, the Caley boys won by three to two but as the Athletics expect
to be a bit stronger this season, they hope to be able to reverse the above
result.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 2 September 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC SEEKS FIXTURES
Junior clubs wishing to arrange fixtures with Ardrossan Castlehill will
please communicate with Mr Charles
Price, secretary, Winton Street, Ardrossan. As a juvenile team has been
formed in connection with the above, juvenile club secretaries wishing to arrange
fixtures with same can also communicate with Mr
Price.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 2 September 1898
IRVINE
AND DISTRICT JUVENILE ASSOCIATION CUP DRAW
The Association met at Irvine on Saturday last (27 August 1898) and the drawings
for the first round of the competition resulted as follows.
Burnfoothill v Kilmarnock Rugby Eleven
Darnconnar Britannia v Irvine Meadow Eleven
Montgreenan v Kilmarnock Shawbank
Galston Ladyton Star v Darvel
Cumnock Craigbank v Galston Athletic
Ayr Juniors v Newmilns
Crosshouse v Irvine Caledonia
Glenbuck v Mauchline Thistle
Ardrossan Castlehill v Catrine Ayrbank
Beith Gateside Thistle v Hurlford Thistle
Ties are to be played on or before 24 September
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 2 September 1898
ARDROSSAN
CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 3 -IRVINE CALEDONIA 3
The match between Ardrossan Castlehill and Irvine Caledonia turned out
to be a close affair. In the first part, the Caley boys put on three goals against
one for the homesters. The second half found the Athletics going better
and before play ceased they got on a level with their rivals. A well-contested
game ended in a draw of three goals each. Another rousing game is anticipated
at Montfod Park tomorrow (10 September 1898)
and if the Montgreenan Rangers have no objection, a win will please the Ardrossan
youths immensely.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 9 September 1898
J GREEN
STAYS WITH ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC
A contemporary of last week has the following paragraph. Galston Athletic have
made clever captures in Matt McFarlane of Shawbank and J Green of Ardrossan
Castlehill Athletic. The party who wrote such a par is perhaps right with
regard to McFarlane's capture but for his information we can tell him that J
Green is still staunch and true to the Ardrossan lads. He played for
Castlehill last Saturday (3 September 1898) against Irvine Caledonia
and he intends to don the club's colours in their Ayrshire Cup-tie with the
Montgreenan Rangers. Galston Athletic will have to pay a good round sum before
they capture Green.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 9 September 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 2 - MONTGREENAN RANGERS 4
Like the other unfortunates in the initial round of the Ayrshire Junior Cup,
Ardrossan Castlehill made their exit from the competition on Saturday
last (10 September 1898) for which the Montgreenan Rangers were responsible.
The game was played at Montfod Park, the
ground of the losers and attracted a small turnout of onlookers. The Rangers,
who were perhaps the better lot, deserved their victory of four to two in the
fact that they made their superiors trot hard for their win which included a
penalty kick for which the home full-back Inglis was wholly to blame. Playing
down the hill, in the first half, the Ardrossan youths had rather the
best of matters and after repeated failures opened the scoring department something
like fifteen minutes from the start. The Rangers eventually commenced to have
a say in the game and made several close approaches on the home trust but the
last quarter hour of the game was ushered in ere the visitors equalised. The
current still ran with the homesters but at goal they lacked badly. Now and
again, the Rangers broke through the opposition cleverly and towards the close,
were awarded a penalty kick from which they registered goal number two. This
was all the scoring in the initial half and with the Rangers leading by two
to one, matters did not look rosy for the homesters who had to play uphill during
the second period. Restarting, the Rangers were early on the aggressive but
for a time were fairly well held though they ultimately succeeded in registering
a third goal. The homesters were now a couple of points in arrears and this
fact caused them to infuse a little more vim into their play. On one occasion,
they had rather hard luck in not scoring when Miller banged the sphere against
the visitors' custodian who luckily saved. Miller again got command and when
only some three yards off, his last effort went close past the wrong side of
the post. Play now was better divided, each goal being in turn assailed and
as time advanced, through good work, bracketed a second point. This success
put a different complexion on the game but for the unfortunate penalty kick,
the teams would have been standing on terms of equality but a few minutes later,
the Rangers notched a fourth goal and defeat seemed to stare the Ardrossan
boys in the face. They struggled gamely to the finish, however, but failed to
make any impression on their opponents' citadel and retired beaten, as already
stated, by four goals to two. The play of several of the homesters was below
par and as a whole lacked the style of the Rangers. The game however, was well-contested
and the Ardrossan lads were just a bit unfortunate in being two goals
behind at the finish. Better luck next time, perhaps.
Ardrossan
and Saltcoats Herald, 16 September 1898
ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD ATHLETIC - HURLFORD PORTLAND VALE 2
Ardrossan juvenile team, Seafield Athletic had a visit from Hurlford
Portland Vale on Saturday last (17 September 1898) at Montfod.
A well-contested game ended in favour of the local boys by three goals to two.
Tomorrow, the Seafield Athletic travel to Troon where they engage the
juvenile team of that place in the first round of the Irvine and District Juvenile
Cup.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 23 September 1898
GATESIDE THISTLE 6 - ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 3
On Saturday last (17 September 1898), the Castlehill Athletic journeyed
to Beith and played a friendly game with Gateside Thistle and got defeated by
six goals to three.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 23 September 1898
TROON RANGERS 12 - ARDROSSAN SEAFIELD ATHLETIC 0
The Troon Rangers scored a gigantic victory over Ardrossan Seafield at
Troon (on 24 September 1898), the visitors being drubbed to the extent of twelve
goals to nil in a tie for the Irvine and District Juvenile Cup honours.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 September 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC TO PLAY CATRINE AYRBANK RANGERS
The Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic will play Catrine Ayrbank Rangers tomorrow
(1 October 1898) at Montfod
Park. The occasion is an Irvine and District cup-tie.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 September 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 2 - CATRINE AYRBANK RANGERS 3
Saturday afternoon last (1 October 1898), witnessed a lively game at Montfod
when Catrine Ayrbank Rangers met Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic in the
fist round of the Irvine and District Cup competition. Matters assumed rather
a brisk aspect form the start of the game and hard play characterised the opening
stages. The sphere was carried from the vicinity of one goal to the vicinity
of the other with a regularity and speed that were noteworthy, though the display
of both teams at this point was of a somewhat disjointed description. Before
the close of the initial period, the Rangers were awarded a penalty kick for
some offence on the part of their opponents which occurred in a scrimmage at
the goalmouth and which gave them a lead of one goal. Restarting, but a short
period of the second half elapsed ere another goal, the result of a fine combined
run, put the Rangers two up. With two goals down and the second half, 'wearin'
awa'', the Castlehill began to show to more advantage. More combined
play followed on their part and attack succeeded attack on the Rangers goal.
McLennan put in some fine dribbling work for his team and all round, at this
point, the local players were making a decidedly superior show to that of their
opponents. Their efforts were at length rewarded by a goal. This goal seemed
to have the effect of rousing to wrath the Catrine lads and one rushed at the
referee and executed some pugilistic movements before the bewildered optics
of that official who, strange to say, did not exercise his power to remove the
player from the field. Lively play followed and hard knocks were exchanged pretty
freely but the ground players still kept their forward combination well and
soon another goal, well taken, placed the teams level. Time was drawing near
and there seemed every probability of a draw being the result when another penalty
kick against Castlehill placed the Rangers in the ascendant. From this
point till the close of the game, Castlehill bombarded their opponents'
goal without result. Of all the leather-trundlers in the shire, it would be
hard to indicate a more unlucky lot than the Montfod lads. At any rate,
they experienced the hardest of hard lines on Saturday without doubt. Both teams
had a very effective back division, the visitors particularly so. In combination,
notably in the second period, the local players were seen to better advantage
and we think that on the day's play, they should have won.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 7 October 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 4 - CROOKEDHOLM 1
Crookedholm were the opponents of Ardrossan Castlehill on Saturday last
(15 October 1898) at Montfod
Park in the first round of the Irvine Herald cup competition. The
playing conditions of the afternoon were not of a very desirable nature, a strong
wind blowing across the field. Coming away in a body directly the ball was set
in motion, Castlehill reached their opponent's goal within a minute of
the start and from a good pass, Breckenridge scored. This was rather a bright
beginning and the loss of a goal wakened up the Crookedholm lads who, by the
way, lacked two of their players whose places were filled by subs. The visitors
held their goal intact from this point for a brief period. The wind spoiled
the play to a great extent but a pass on the centre after a spell of one-sided
work in which the home lot had the best of matters was splendidly played between
Mackay and Robertson on the Castlehill right wing. Mackay scored with
a shot which gave the goalkeeper no chance to save. Crookedholm began to show
up to advantage after this and a good run resulted in a well-deserved goal.
In the second half, the Castlehill lads had the ball through twice. In
the first case from a free kick, the sphere sailed through without being touched.
In the second, a foul was given against Crookedholm just as their keeper failed
to catch a fine shot. This fixture is a home-and-away affair and on Saturday's
play, Castlehill ought to give a good account of themselves at Hurlford.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 21 October 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 7 - ARDROSSAN SNOWFLAKE MINSTRELS 1
On Saturday last (22 October 1898), before a good turnout of spectators, Castlehill
Athletic engaged in a friendly game with the Ardrossan Snowflake Minstrels
at Montfod Park. The Minstrels won the toss and played downhill with
a strong breeze in their favour holding their own for a while but latterly the
Athletic broke away and Mackay succeeded in registering the initial goal
of the game. From the play which followed, it was evident that the Athletic
were the superior lot for shortly after their first success, they added two
more goals to their total, one of those resulting from a fine shot from G Robertson.
The second half commenced with the Athletic three goals in the lead and
throughoutthis half, the Snowflakes' custodian had his work cut out for
him. Two more goals followed and a splendid shot from midfield by J Greene brought
the score up to six-nil in favour of the Athletic. It was not until a
seventh goal had been notched that the 'burnt cork' men managed to make any
show. About two minutes before time, they succeeded in putting the sphere through.
A one-sided game ended Castlehill 7 Snowflake Minstrels 1. The
Athletic journey to Crookedholm tomorrow where they play a return match with
that team in the second round of the Irvine Herald Cup. Should they play up
to Saturday's form, Crookedholm will have a hard run for it.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 28 October 1898
CROOKEDHOLM 5 - ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 0
In the first round of the Irvine Herald Cup competition, Ardrossan Castlehill
journeyed to Hurlford last Saturday (29 October 1898) and engaged Crookedholm
in a return match. The weather was favourable for football but what greatly
hindered Castlehill from showing up was the bad condition of the field
which was in a deplorable state with mud and water. After a rather one-sided
contest, the visitors had to retire beaten by five goals to nil and as the fixtures
in this competition are home-and-home, the results of the two matches find Crookedholm
the winners by six goals to four. We believe the Castlehill boys have
protested owing to the unplayable conditions of the Crookedholm club's ground
but what will come out of the protest, we are unable to say.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 4 November 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 2 - NEWMILNS 2
On Saturday last (5 November 1898), the Ardrossan juniors, Castlehill Athletic
had a visit from the junior team of Newmilns. Both teams were a bit under strength
and a very pleasant game ended in a draw of two goals each. Tomorrow, the Athletics
travel to Warner Park, Stevenston where they will engage a team from Nobel's
Works in a friendly.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 11 November 1898
ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 3 - ARDEER NOBEL'S WORKS 2
Despite the counter attraction in town, Warner Park was engaged by a couple
of Junior clubs, namely Ardrossan Castlehill and a team in connection
with Nobel's Works. The match was a friendly one. Both teams lined up at the
appointed hour. Castlehill were two players short of their eleven and
their places had to be filled by subs. The homesters won the toss and played
with a slight breeze in their favour in the first half. Play went well for a
time, the teams being fairly well-matched but eventually the superior combination
of Castlehill's left wing began to assert itself and a goal was the result
for which Mackay was responsible. This success evidently roused the Dynamitards
and after a smart piece of work by their forwards, Aitken potted the ball and
the teams were level. The homesters' defence was a strong point in their team
and the Ardrossan boys found it no easy task in finding their opening
but at length, McKillop on the right wing was successful in bracketing a second
goal for the visitors. The homesters tried hard to equalise again but their
efforts were unavailing and Castlehill lead at the interval by two to
one. Play in the second half was pretty much of the kick-and-rush character
which was perhaps in some measure due to the fact that the referee punished
defaulting players in one team and not in the other. All this withstanding,
the game continued to be briskly contested and a scrimmage underneath the Athletics'
bar resulted in a somewhat lucky goal for the Stevenston lads, the sphere rebounding
off one of the players after the goalkeeper had kicked it out. The score of
both teams now being equal, play became more stubborn on the part of the visitors
and a long shot from J Robertson found its way between the sticks before the
whistle sounded for time up. A hard game thus ended Castlehill Athletic
3, Ardeer Nobel's Works 2.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 18 November 1898
ARDROSSAN SNOWFLAKE AMATEUR MINSTRELS IN THE SANATORIUM
The Ardrossan Snowflake Amateur Minstrels are booked to spend hogmany at the
Sanatorium, Seamill. They are to be entertainers, not patients.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898
WEST KILBRIDE ATHLETIC 2 - ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 5
On Saturday (26 November 1898), on a field at Seamill, West Kilbride Athletic
and Ardrossan Castlehill set the sphere a-rolling in a friendly at which
there was a fair attendance of spectators. The visitors were a bit under strength,
some of their best players not being forward when the game started. Kilbride
won the toss and decided to play down the hill and after a somewhat one-sided
game, the visitors came off the victors by five goals to two.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1898
IRVINE MEADOW 2 - ARDROSSAN CASTLEHILL ATHLETIC 1
The Ardrossan Castlehill Athletic were again in armour last Saturday
(24 August 1898) when they journeyed to Meadow Park, Irvine and played a friendly
with Meadow XI. A hard game was the result and when the whistle sounded the
score stood Meadow XI 2, Castlehill 1. Taking into consideration the
fact that the Meadowites defeated Castlehill at Meadow Park on a recent
occasion by eight goals to nil, the small difference between the teams on Saturday
is very creditable to the Ardrossan lads.
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, 30 December 1898