Craigmark Burtonian 1–2 Saltcoats Vics — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 15 Nov 2014

Report by Keano

 Tam McLelland haunted the Craigmark defence all day long and in the end scored a superb goal fit to win any game, and allow the seasiders to return with all 3 points.

 Saltcoats started the game pushing the Craigmark defence back and winning  a consession of corners but all to no avail as they did not really test Douglas in the Craigmark goal from any of them, we were 10mins in before the keeper had to make a save and it came from a free kick that was left by Quinn and knocked in by Davidson and Douglas did well to tip over. At this stage Craigmark were begining to make inroads and when Dunlop made good headway up the wing and put over a cross Catterson had to be alert to punch away but his clearance fell to the on rushing Thirtle, who made no mistake to put the home side 1up on 23mins, Saltcoats came straight back at Craigmark and both McLelland and Davidson tested Douglas before Gibson had him scrambling across goal to keep his side in front, but it only delayed the equalizer which came in 38mins when good work by Gibson and Moan and the later played a delightful ball into Davidson who made no mistake to even things up. Saltcoats did have the ball in the net again before the break but McLelland was adjuged to be offside much to the annoance of the visiting fans. HT1-1.

 The second half started similar to the first with Saltcoats on the attack and when Gibson played in a dlightful ball across the 6yard line on 50mins the strikers were posted missing, and shortly afterwards Davidson had a shot but was leaning back and the ball went well over. This game was by no means one sided as Craigmark were always at the races and on more than one occasion Catterson had to be on his toes and he was tested by McCubban just before the winger was replaced by Hall, and he also had to look sharp went he came out to shut down the advancing Dunn. Saltcoats were next to make a change when Black came on for Moan, and it seemed to give them a slight advantage and McLelland was unlucky when he chipped the keeper but bounced on the bar for a goal kick and Davidson also went close with a cross come shot that went just wide on 70mins, and both the Saltcoats strikers were to have shots cleared off the line firstly Boyle cleared from McLelland then Kirkwood cleared from Davidson. Saltcoats then won the game with a superb goal from McLelland on 85mins when a cross into the middle of the park from Quinn was cleared by the out rushing Douglas and as he was out his area all he could do was header it, and all he could do from there on was watch the ball as it fell to McLelland and he had the presence of mind to chip the ball over Douglas and into the empty net from 30yards out 2-1 Saltcoats, but it must be said the score only remained like that thanks to Catterson who not once but twice saved Saltcoats in the last 5 mins once from Briggs and once from Dunn to make the final score Craigmark 1 Saltcoats 2. A good three points for Saltcoats from a vastly improved Craigmark side.