Shotts started their league campaign away to Gartcairn , and started very brightly scoring in the 1st minute without Gartcairn touching the ball.
A string of passes lead to Duffy receiving the ball in the left channel, Duffy beat his man to get to the byline and cut the ball across the 6 yard line for Michael Foy to tap in from close range.
Shotts created numerous chances i the first half with a carbon copy of the first goal lead to a cut back from Foy on the right side but Eadon couldn't get the touch to score from close range.
Duffy broke free on the left after a good through ball from Eadon but his curling effort was wide of the far post. Lynch had a great chance to double the lead when he broke though after a failed offside from Gartcairn. Lynch was one on one from 40 yards but was expecting the refs whistle and tamely hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Shotts had the majority of the play in the first half but after Bucknell fouled the Gartcairn number 9 (25 yards from goal) the ref awarded a free kick. Gartcarin number 10 struck the free kick hard into the far corner but a wonder save from Jay Casserly touched the ball onto the post and Shotts kept their 1:0 lead into half time.
2nd half started and Shotts had a few sightings on goal but didn't trouble the Gartcairn goalkeeper. Gartcairn got on level terms when a corner into the box wasn't properly cleared and fell to Gartcairn number 9 who directed the ball towards goal, Pat Campbell on the post was unlucky not to clear off the line as his attempted clearance was sliced into the roof of the net.
Shotts had a great chance when the Gartcairn keeper came out of his area to clear the ball which fell to Duffy who squared it to Lynch who attempted to shoot from 35 yards into an empty goal but the covering defender blocked the shot.
After good play from Eadon, Duffy broke free on the left cut back onto his right foot and crossed the ball into the box for Lynch. Lynch's initial header was blocked then he smashed the rebound into the net.
Shotts then controlled the rest of the game a limited Gartcairn to any other notable chances in the game. Shotts scored their third when Lynch broke down the right, skipped passed the out rushing goalkeeper and and cut the ball across the 6 yard line and the covering defender put the ball into his own goal while trying to clear.
Thomas Lynch replaced Michael Foy and was getting joy by cutting in from the right wing. He managed to avoid 2 tackles before being fouled 30 yards from goal. Matty Weymss took the free kick and shaped to cross into the box before noticing the Gartcairn goalkeeper leaving space at his near post and Weymss scored direct from the free kick.
Duffy had a chance near the end but had his effort blocked. Shotts finished with a good move that fell to Lynch whos effort was straight at the keeper
Full time - Shotts were comfortable in the end but could and should have scored a lot more goals, a good performance that kicks off their league campaign with 3 points.
