IT WAS make or break day for Bute Shinty as they played their final game of the season at the Meadows against Inveraray, knowing a win would secure promotion to the Premiership.
It was the away team who started the game on the offensive, taking the game to Bute with the home team having problems clearing their line.
The Bute goalkeeper, however, remained untroubled as several shots were way off target.
It wasn’t until the 15th minute where Bute had their first scoring opportunity, however the shot went narrowly past the post.
The home team did come more into the game as play became end-to-end, with neither team troubling either goalkeeper, but in the last minute of the first-half Bute were unlucky not to score after a goal-line scramble which was cleared by the away defence.
The second-half began with Bute in a determined mood as they poured forward towards the away goal, with several shots going narrowly past the post.
But in the 49th minute disaster struck, as Ben Cameron put Inveraray ahead with a strong shot which eluded Gordon Currie in the home goal.
The Bute team were stunned, and were further disheartened when Inveraray were awarded a penalty just three minutes later which was cleanly dispatched by Fraser Watt.
Bute managed to regroup and went back on the attack, scorning several chances, again without seriously testing the Inveraray keeper.
And after 60 minutes there was a further setback for Bute, when a scuffle in the midfield resulted in Marcus Planck being sent from the field of play.
Bute were up against it, however they pressed forward and continued to spurn several chances before theywereawardedapenalty in the 75th minute.
Scott Harvey confidently found the back of the net to put Bute on the scoreboard.
The 11 men of Bute continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, however their hopes were dashed when Scott Harvey was sent off after 78 minutes.
Despite carving out a number of chances, Bute were unable to cause the Inveraray topper any meaningful trouble, as the final whistle went on a costly defeat for Bute with hopes of promotion shattered.
A spokesperson for the club said: “Congratulations to our near neighbours ColGlen, who are now promoted to the Premiership. “We wish them all the very
best for next season.”
