Bute Shinty Club’s second team continued to show their resilience on the road, earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Aberdour, despite being short of five regular starters for the second successive away match.
With a depleted squad, manager Stewart Stirling turned once again to the clubs promising youth players and even named himself as a substitute to help make up a matchday squad of 14.
Aberdour, benefitting from a free weekend for their first team, fielded a significantly strengthened side, which made Butes task all the more challenging.
The home side won the toss and chose to play the first-half with a strong wind at their backs, using the conditions to pin Bute deep into their own half.
Despite the relentless pressure, Butes defence held firm.
Captain and goalkeeper, Stewart Stirling Jr, produced a string of remarkable savesfour in totalto deny the hosts a breakthrough.
Thanks to his efforts and a determined defensive display, the sides went into the break level at 00.
However, there was more adversity to come.
Experienced full back, John Wilson, was forced off at the interval through injury, prompting Stirling to reshuffle the side and move John MacCallum from the forward line into defence.
Now playing with the wind, Bute began to grow into the game and applied increasing pressure on the Aberdour goal.
But just as momentum began to swing, another injury blow hit the visitors, as Ewan McMillan had to be withdrawn.
That meant an unexpected return to action for manager, Stewart Stirling Sr, who laced up his boots once more after many years away from the playing side.
As the wind eased, the match became more evenly balanced.
Aberdour eventually found the opener in the 67th minute when Ally Chamberlain unleashed a powerful drive that beat Stirling Jr in the Bute goal.
However, the visitors responded in style just four minutes later.
Ronnie McMillan won a crucial challenge in midfield and lofted a searching ball forward to Stirling Sr, who showed composure to control and lay off a smart pass to young Regan Craig.
Craig made no mistake, rifling home a first-time shot into the bottom corner to level the match.
The closing stages saw end-to-end action, with both sides creating chances but unable to add to the scoreline.
A 11 draw was ultimately a fair result in a spirited contest.
Man of the match honours went to goalkeeper, Stewart Stirling Jr, for his vital first-half performance that kept Bute in the game.
Speaking after the match, manager, Stewart Stirling, said: Im satisfied with the result and once again delighted with the efforts of the young players, with all the players who stepped up on the day.
