Hurlford United 4–1 Saltcoats Vics — Ayrshire Cup (SJFA West Region), 8 Feb 2014

Report by Keano

Saltcoats can take a lot of credit from this game as for 75mins they were well in the game and it was not until Gregory was dissmissed and Hurlford scored thier third from the spot that this game was over. Hurlford had the better of the early play but without making any real progress, and even when they did Paterson, Stewart and Ferris in the Saltcoats middivision were bringing them to a halt. After 10 mins Saltcoats came into the game and Davidson was feeding Santos and Hart with some great ball, and without really putting the keeper under presure at least the defence knew they had a game on thier hands. At the other end a hard working Stewart Kean was being kept in check by Callum Hercus with thanks to the homework he had done on the Hurlford attack. Saltcoats should have taken the lead on 35mins when Quinn put in a great free kick that should have been stuck away by the on rushing Patrick but the big man was less than an inch away, and Hurlford survived, not only did they survive but took the lead just minuets latter when Paterson knocked in at the back post after a goal mouth scramble and Saltcoats went in at the break 1 down.

In the second half Hurlford began to show thier class and took the game to Saltcoats but once again the rear line of the vics was holding firm, with Smith, Gregory, Partick and especially Hercus putting in a good shift, 12 mins into the second half and Hurlford made it 2-0 when Robertson made rome for himself to fire the ball passed Catterson. the 2 goal lead was reduced only 3 mins later when Santos worked himself a yard and fired a screamer from 20yds that was in the net before the keeper had a chance to move 2-1 and the game was on. for the next 10mins or so Saltcoats were well in this game and both Santos and Hart had chances to level it and only good goal keeping prevented it. Then on 75 mins Saltcoats game fell apart when Gregory was dismissed for a tackle on Kean inside the box, and with not only the penalty to come but down to 10 it was going to be difficult, and when Kean scored the resulting penalty to put Hurlford 3-1 up the game was over. Hurlford then made a triple substitution and played the game out, not only did Watt add a forth but Hurlford also hit the post twice and had a chip off the bar.

A good performance from Saltcoats, yes a defeat but a solid display all round and if they can reproduce this performance then points will surelly come.

mom 3 Hercus

       2 Smith

       1 Davidson