Saltcoats Vics 1–2 Irvine Victoria — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 15 Mar 2014

Report by Gordon Hunter

Irvine Victoria travelled to Campbell Park to try and keep their promotion chase on track. Saltcoats on the other hand were keen to keep up their recent level of performance which heralded for a decent game. However the howling wind put paid to any sexy football as both sides struggled with the elements and it was The Westenders who took the points back to Irvine despite being on the receiving end of a last 20 minute battering from The Seasiders who on the balance of play should have taken something from the match.

The Home side started with the wind at their backs and soon had Irvine on the back foot. Carlo Scarramuzzo was the first offender of the day when he missed the ball and smashed into Callum Hercus but the Saltcoats defender was soon on his feet. The following 35 yard free kick from Ally Patrick was just over the bar. Mark Ferris then had a good shot stopped by ex Saltcoats keeper Chris Lamb as Saltcoats kept up the early pressure. But after 11 minutes the visitors took the lead on their first venture up the park. A mix up from involving David Gregory and Jordan Stewart allowed Adam to nip in a shoot at goal. A great stop from Catterson in goal but the ball fell back at Adams feet and he stuck it in the net to put the visitors in front.

Saltcoats though continued to create more as the half progressed and a Ferris corner produced a few shots and frantic clearances in the Irvine goalmouth but they survived. A Matthew Santos run and cross should have done better but their was no one in the danger area to make the most of his work. What chances Irvine had were few and far between as they faced the rocking gale but Mitchell missed a good opportunity in 35 minutes when the ball was taking from his toe by Hercus just before he was about to pull the trigger. Hercus was then on the receiving end from a ferocious tackle from Chesney which looked bad from the touchline but the Saltcoats defender was none the worse for wear. Gregory was next in the book for a trip on Colligan as he ran down the wing. Advantage may have suited Irvine better than the free kick which resulted in the ball being lashed out the park.

On to the second half and not many would have given Saltcoats a chance with the wind in their faces and Irvine were quickest of the marks. Campbell was clean through but another great tackle from Hercus denied him. Colligan then had a terrific shot at goal which was turned on to the bar by the impressive Catterson on 52 minutes.

Saltcoats then began to assert despite the conditions being against them. A Callum Davidson cross put The Irvine defence under all sorts of pressure and Davie Wilson went to clear the ball from the 6 yard area but passed it into the hands of Lamb and the referee awarded an in direct free kick. Patrick tapped the ball to Santos but his effort was blocked by the 11 man wall on the goal line.

Bad news then for Saltcoats as Jordan Stewart was injured and was replaced by David Gibson. Gibson was straight in on the action and had several runs down the left wing tormenting the visiting defence and it was from one of these that Saltcoats equalised in 63 minutes. Gibson on a run was fouled on the edge of the box. Ferris took the free kick which was nailed by Patrick’s head into the goal giving Lamb no chance.

Irvine came right back though and Colligan again had a decent effort saved by Catterson but three minutes later Catterson was beaten. A Colligan cross was fired in which was initially cleared by the keeper. The return ball was crossed in and fired away by Hercus but the ball hit Chesney and bounced into net with poor Catterson helpless.

Saltcoats then upped the pace. Davidson sent Santos free and only a great intervention from Wilson stopped it from surely being two each. Ferris then had a go at setting Santos free and this time the Saltcoats man blasted over from a tight angle. A series of corners failed to produce the end product as Saltcoats pitched everything into the game. A great move from Davidson and Ferris ended up with the former hitting a defence splitting pass through to Gibson but the offside whistle was blown on a great move.

In the dying seconds a great run from Santos came to an end when Allan dived in to make the tackle and make sure that the three points went to Irvine and that their promotion push stays on track.