The game marked a milestone for Rhian Williams, Isla Cooper and Jordan McNally who all made their 50th appearance for the club.
Annan went into the game with high expectations against a team that had beaten them in the away fixture, and sat in third in the league.
Annan started strongest with the midfield linking the play well and providing chances for the strikers. And it wasn’t long before it paid off when Rhian Williams skilled past a couple of Kilwinning players and played in Jamie-Lee, who slotted past the keeper.
The halftime team-talk focused on maintaining composure. Kilwinning had tried to break up play in the first half, and prevent Annan from getting into their stride.
However, it didn’t take long for Annan to double their lead. Rhian powered through the Kilwinning defence and hit a fierce strike into the back of the net. More Annan pressure again paid off when a combination of Rhian, Phoebe and Emily caused panic at the back for Kilwinning and they conceded a penalty. Emily stepped up to dispatch the kick to make it 3-0. Two minutes later Jamie-Lee beat the offside line and lobbed the oncoming keeper to score her second.
The stop-start play continued with Annan picking up some soft bookings but their concentration held until the last ten minutes.
Despite a couple of late consolation goals to make the ending a bit exciting (including a change of goalkeeper for Annan after Courtney Nelson picked up a shoulder injury), Annan held out for another solid win.
Team: Nelson, Kennedy, Rankin, Gallacher, G. Thorburn, McNally, Hookway, Williams, P. Thorburn, Cooper, Johnston Subs (all used): Crosbie, Marshall, Holland, Place
Players of the match: Courtney and Emily
