GREENOCK made it back-to-back wins with this victory over second-top Maybole on Saturday.

In spite of the atrocious weather conditions in the days prior to the match, the pitch at Ravenscraig was in excellent condition.

Referee Craig King did, however, express concerns regarding the very blustery conditions an hour before kick off, and at one point appeared set to call the match off.

But he sensibly decided to go ahead with the game, a decision that turned out to be correct.

With the wind in their favour in the first half, Maybole tried to use it to their advantage, but Greenock restricted them to long-range efforts, which keeper Ryan McWilliams dealt with comfortably.

Midway through the half Greenock began to push forward.

New signing Kenny Munro broke down the left and fired in a cross which just escaped the inrushing players. And as the first half neared its conclusion, they came close again on 37 minutes.

Craig Brown evaded a couple of heavy challenges before squaring to Thomas Docherty, whose 20-yard drive went inches over the bar.

With the wind now in their favour in the second half, Greenock had Maybole pinned back with a series of corners, and the pressure paid off with what proved to be the only goal of the game on 62 minutes.

Allan Docherty collected a long ball, and with one touch took it past his marker. He then cleverly spotted the Maybole keeper 15 yards off his line and duly chipped the ball over him from 35 yards out.

It was a stunning strike, which must be a definite contender for goal of the season.

Greenock now had their tails up and Brown went on a mazy run before sending in a low drive from 25 yards out, which the keeper did well to smother.

Despite some new signings, manager Martin Campbell had kept faith with the majority of the players who had won at Largs the previous week.

But on 72 minutes new man David Barron was brought on as a sub, while recent signing from Largs, Barry McLaughlin, came on in the closing period to mark his return to the Ravenscraig side.

With 10 minutes left, Brown drove past three defenders before sending in a 20-yard shot, but it lacked sufficient enough power to trouble the keeper.

With Greenock now well in control they looked sure to score a second when a Martin Orr cross was met with a flying header from Munro, but the ball went inches past.

The home side then played out the remaining time by comfortably running down the clock to achieve their second victory of the season over Maybole.

Manager Campbell said: “Maybole are going well this season and not too many teams will do the double over them, so I am pleased with this result.

“I felt we were quite comfortable throughout the match, and it was a professional performance on a day when it all came together well.

“And it was fitting that a wonder goal from Allan should win the game.” GREENOCK: McWilliams, T. Docherty, Begley, Jamieson, McGarrigle (McLaughlin 83), Doherty, Orr, Stanton (Barron 72), Brown, A. Docherty (Cunning 83), Munro. Subs not used: Murray, Monk.

Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar. The Lighthouse Bar were also sponsors of this match.