The Hill earn their first points of the season in a tough trip to Ayrshire.
Match Report by Campbell Finlayson:
It was third time lucky for Maryhill as they won their first game of the season with a 2-1 win away to Ardeer Thistle.
They started well with Jamie Gray seeing his shot pushed behind before centre back Michael Browne fired his effort over from close range, having scuffed his first shot.
Gray was the man initiating most of Maryhill’s attacks again and almost scored himself when his corner missed everyone before hitting the far post.
Despite the Hill’s dominance it was Ardeer who took the lead with their first shot of the match. Kane Howarth did well to control on his chest before drilling the ball beyond Garry Black.
Hill coach Tony Boyce was sent off by the referee soon after for what he said after two heavy tackles on away players and that seemed to spur Maryhill on, with Jack Easdon going close after yet more good work from Gray to set up the chance.
Andrew Martin tested Black with a shot from distance on 35 minutes but Maryhill bounced straight back up the park and equalised with Jay Mclnally collecting the ball in the box before firing past the keeper.
Gray saw his free-kick saved before Roan Fitzpatrick shot over as the Hill ended the half strongly, but it remained level at the break.
It didn’t take Maryhill long to score in the second half though. They were awarded a penalty for handball and Gray sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to put them ahead.
Ardeer had claims for a penalty of their own when they claimed a shot came off an arm in the box but the referee awarded a corner, with Martin dragging a shot wide minutes later.
Maryhill should have made it three at the end when Cammy O’Neil was in on goal, but he saw two efforts kept out. It didn’t matter though as the final whistle went soon after to secure a very welcome three points for the Hill.
It’s onto cup action next week as we visit Johnstone Burgh in the Soccershop Challenge Cup.
Maryhill line-up: Black; Meechan, Browne (Wallace,58), Martin, McEwan; Easdon, O’Neill, Fitzpatrick, Stevenson, Gray (Trialist, 82); Mclnally (Dobbs, 84)
Ardeer Thistle line-up: Duncan; Morgan, Barrett, Ewing, Philbin, Woods, Hughes, Hamilton, Howarth, Martin, Stevenson