Saltcoats Vics 3–0 Annbank United — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 24 Aug 2013

Report by Keano

 Before this game had even started Saltcoats suffer an injury blow when Sean Forde tweaked a muscle in the warm up and had to be replaced by Colin Frye, and with a Triallist David Cunningham in goal for injured Ross Lundy who tore his ligaments in training on wed, Manager Rylands had to change his line-up again. But the loyal Saltcoats fans had no need to worry as the replacements filled the void well.

The first 10mins or so were a tight affair, with both sides looking for the break through, with Santos and Davidson both testing Anderson in the Annbank goal, and at the other end Sloan shooting well over from distance, Saltcoats gradually took control and it was no surprise when on 24mins Patterson sent over an inch perfect cross for McLelland to volley into the top corner giving the keeper no chance and the Seasiders were off and running, both McLelland and Santos were giving the Annbank defense nightmares with thier constant movement,and with Quinn and Stewart putting in some great crosses they had to be on thier toes. Any time Annbank managed an attack it was being snubbed out by a well drilled Saltcoats defence of Frye, Easdon, Patrick and Hercus, the Saltcoats pressure was to tell again in the 32min when a corner from Quinn was met sweetly by Hercus and he powered it in to put Saltcoats 2 up. In the 35min Johnston had a chance for Annbank to get back into it but it was well saved by Cunningham in the Saltcoats goal.

Half time gave Annbank a chance to re-oragnize and the second half was once again a tight start. Ally Patrick and Colin Frye were playing some delightful balls to the wingers and on the hour Adam Easdon fired a cross over that was met by an on rushing Jordan Stewart and his shot shaved the post. In 65min the hard working Tam McLelland robbed Donnelly of the ball and coolly rounded the keeper and roll in his second and Saltcoats third and put the game to bed. This was a good Saltcoats victory and everyone played thier part, and worked for 90mins to make it possible,the smiles were back on the faces of vics fans, worried fans were no longer worried, but we all know it is just the start of a long hard season and there will be far harder games to come but 2 games played 6 points in the bag and on to Irvine next week.

mom points

3 Ally Patrick

2 Tam McLelland

1 Calum Hercus