Saltcoats Vics 2–1 Whitless Victoria — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 1 Mar 2014

Report by keano

For onlty the third time this season manager Ryland had a full squad to pick from and once again they defeated a top 2 side, Saltcoats started the game well pushing Whitletts back, and stopping them playing ball forward to the strikers. For the fist 15min or so it was a game of cat and mouse with both sides trying to get the upper hand, and although it was played mostly in the Whitletts half it was to be them that was to be first to test the keeper when on 17mins Mick O'Connor beat Nikki Smyth and advanced on goal and when he shot he found Catterson in the Saltcoats goal in top form pushing his shot onto the bar. This seemed to awaken Saltcoats and after some neat mid field play by Davidson and Ferris, Stewart sent MIck Hart clear and his drive was pushed wide by Callaghan in the Whitletts goal in just as good form, from the resulting corner Callum Hercus rose best and his downward header went just past the post. At the other end Whitletts were awarded a corner on 24mins,, and when Balfour sent over the corner there was Buchanan to head the ball into the Saltcoats net and put Whitletts in front. Saltcoats to thier credit did not let the goal affect the way they were playing and continued to take the game to Whitletts and Mick Hart and Mathew Santos up front were causing the Whitletts defence all sorts of problems, simply because they were being supplied with good ball from Ferris, Davidson and Stewart in mid-field, just before the break Catterson in the Saltcoats goal kept his side in the game with a good save from Michel O'Conner after Balfour had played him in, but it was Whitletts that were glad to hear the half time whistle and keep thier narrow lead intacted when Stewart had a shot from distance that had Callaghan scrambling to his left.

 When the second half started Whitletts were more in the game and Balfour had a chance on 50mins to increase the lead but he fluffed his shot high and wide much to the relief of the home fans, and shortly afterwards Duffy sent O'Conner clear but his shot was well saved by Catterson and cleared by David Gregory, just after the hour mark after some delightful play from Ferris and Davidson in the mid-field Stewart cipped the ball over the defence to send Santos in on goal beating Buchanan and then the goalie from 12 yards to put the sides level at 1-1. On 71min Whitletts midfielder Lee Holland was to get the better of Catrterson in the Saltcoats goal only to see his goal bound shot being mopped up and cleared by the ever reliant Hercus on the line, as Whitletts came more into the game Balfour had a chance but once again found Catterson at his best, and O'Conner fired a speculative effort into the side netting. on 75mins Saltcoats efforts were rewarded when Ferris played a neat ball through to Mick Hart and as the striker raced clear of the defence he was brought down by the out-rushuing Callaghan in the Whitletts goal and ref Drew Kirkland was left with an easy desision in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Mathew Santos to take the kick and he hammered home past the helpless Callaghan to put the Seasiders in a well deserved lead all be it 2-1. As the time was running out both teams made subs with Saltcoats brining on Patrick to strengthen the defence and Whitletts putting on another striker to try and salvage something from the game, but to no avail it was to be Saltcoats that end Whitletts 13 game unbeaten run and the result also knocks them out of the promotion spot for the time being , a well deservedf victory as Saltcoats at times played some good football and were the better side through-out.

mom  3 Santos

         2 Catterson

         1 Hart