YOKER goalkeeper Joe Winton admitted he was delighted to keep a clean sheet as Yoker chalked up a gritty 1-0 home win over Thorniewood on Saturday.

Jon Scullion’s superb free kick on the stroke of half time earned the Whe Ho maximum points – and a measure of revenge after their loss to the same opponents last month – and rounded off a good week-and-a-bit for the club following the previous week’s draw with Kilsyth and a 5-2 midweek friendly win over Johnstone Burgh.

Winton said afterwards: “It was a great win today and another three points against a good side, and personally I was delighted at keeping a clean sheet.

“I thought we were solid at the back but all the boys played their part.”

Jokingly, the keeper added: “It’s a shame Scully took about three chances before he got the free kick in, but it was a belter from the wee man, and we know he has that in his locker.”

Ambitious efforts from distance by Scullion and Greg Cree that failed to trouble the Thorniewood keeper were the only highlights of a fairly even first half.

But two minutes into stoppage time the referee turned down a strong penalty claim from the hosts and instead awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area – and up stepped Scullion to send an outstanding swerving effort into the net.

Yoker looked comfortable for much of the second half, but just couldn’t find the second goal that would have made life a little more comfortable.

Scullion sent a free kick narrowly wide on 70 minutes before turning provider with a lovely through ball from which striker Kyle Maxwell was agonisingly just off target.

Winton pulled off a brilliant save with full time approaching as Thorniewood mounted a rare effort to salvage something from the game, with the keeper’s superb stop enough to secure the win that moves Yoker up to fourth in the league.

Coach Gordon Robertson said: “It is always nervy at 1-0 and we needed our keeper to pull off a great save in the last couple of minutes to preserve our lead.

“It should not really have been like that, had we taken some of the chances we created.

“However, weighing everything up it was a terrific performance in terms of effort, commitment, and attitude from all the boys.

“We need to be more clinical in the last third and put teams to bed when we are on top, but that said I think the boys can be delighted with the outcome.”

This Saturday, December 19, Yoker face another tough 90 minutes away to a Lanark United side who lie one place above the Whe Ho in the Conference C standings, with the same tally of 10 points but one fewer game played.

Kick-off is at 1.45pm and supporters can again stay in touch via Yoker’s social media channels while the match is played behind closed doors.

Fans can also help the club through the Donate a Ticket initiative, with details to be found on Yoker’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Meanwhile, the draw for the third round of the Soccer Shop Challenge Cup was made on Friday and saw the Whe Ho handed a home tie against Dunipace, due to be played on Saturday, February 6.