Saltcoats Vics 1–0 Darvel Juniors — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 20 Dec 2014

Report by keano

Saltcoats secured all three points in this game in the very last min dispite being down to 10 just a few mins earlier when Joe Young was dimissed for retaliation, with the final free kick of the game up popped James Moan to fire home from close range to give the seasiders deservidlly all three points.

 Both teams found the early conditions difficult, but dispite playing against the wind and without several 1st choice players it was Saltcoats that were first to adapt when Joe Young lost his defender but his final shot was week and easily saved by Davy Markey in the Darvel goal, with Easdon and McGeady beginning to form a good partnership at the back for Saltcoats, Darvel were finding it difficult to have any effort of note at Catterson but dispite this Frasier Gall and Murray Johnston were giving it a good go and making the Saltcoats back four remain alert, but it was midfielder Jackson Biggart that had thier best effort from 25yds but it was well handled by Catterson in the Saltcoats goal. As the half wore on Saltcoats were getting closer and Moan and Young were playing some good passes between each another and Sean Quinn was putting over some good crosses one of which was met by the head of Chris Balck but it struck the bar and the best chance of the half was gone.  

 As the second half got under way Darvel seemed to gain the momentom and began to put Saltcoats under a bit of pressure, but as in the past couple of weeks the defence stood up well and they were very well assisted by man of the match Jim Catterson returning in goal newly refreshed from his recent holiday and even when he was rounded by Johnston, Jason Kean playing as a trialist was there to clear off the line as all good defenders are. Saltcoats gradually founds thier way back into the game and with Mark Ferris controlling the mid-field area it was giving Paul Monan and Sean Quinn a chance to push down the wings and send in some good crosses but most were ending up in the safe hands of Dave Markey in the Darvel goal. This game came to life in the added on time when Saltcoats striker Joe Young was dismissed and Darvel awarded a free kick which was cleared for a corner, and from the resulting corner Saltcoats cleared the ball up to James Moan and he was up ended by Moodie in the Darvel defence just outside the area and when Quinn knocked in the free kick there was that man Moan again to knock the ball home from close range and break the deadlock and send the home fans home for a very Merry Christmas and hopefully a Prosperous New Year