AN amateur footballer waited eight years to score a goal - then cursed his luck as the match was abandoned.

Mark Mackay's long awaited goal was chalked off when the referee had to call time 60 minutes into the game last weekend as a result of ferocious wind and rain.

Despite being cruelly denied, Mark is eager to carry on his goalscoring now that he has a taste for it, and has vowed score in his next match to make up for the disappointment.

He could be getting hints on hitting the back of the net from the West of Scotland Premier League's top scorer Scott Adam who plays for Largs Thistle, see picture.

Mark, nicknamed 'Sparra', is normally a defender for West Kilbride AFC amateurs but in recent weeks has pushed forward in midfield, giving him a sniff of goal.

And early in the first half in the recent clash with Craigie, tried his luck with a long range wind-assisted effort.

The ball sailed over the keeper's head, hitting the crossbar and post before finishing in the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations.

But conditions worsened and play was abandoned, rending Mark's big moment meaningless.

The unlucky footballer said: "I saw the keeper take a step to his front post and lobbed the ball off the bar and in the post it went. I was buzzing.

However, despite the disappointment, Mark believes the man in the middle made the right call to cancel the game.

He said: "In fairness, I think it was the correct call. The second half was the worst conditions I have ever experienced in all my time in amateur football.

"It was terrible - the wind was severe and the rain was wild - you couldn't even feel your face.

"I was gutted though as I knew the goal wouldn't stand and the game would have to be replayed. I could have cried!

"I have taken a fair bit of stick for it being chalked off."

Mark, who is nicknamed Sparra because of his 'skinny legs', said: "Former Largs striker David Mills, who plays upfront for West Kilbride, was joking that I was trying to find him and I'd misplaced my pass!

"I am the oldest player in the team at 35 but hopefully I'll get my name on the scoresheet before I hang up my boots."

The team are sitting third in their division and are currently unbeaten in the league.

Mark, a lab technician, is engaged to fiancee Kelly and the couple live in Simpson Avenue in the village.

The midfielder said the jibes are still going: "I have been receiving non stop texts and messages from my team-mates Stevie Moran and David Gibson, but it is all in good jest.

"When I first played for West Kilbride Amateurs I was 19 and played upfront - and bagged a few goals. My dad was a keeper back in the day - Michael Mackay.

"I have played in every position for the club but nothing like this has ever happened before. I'm hoping it will be better luck next time."