Saltcoats Vics 1–1 Kello Rovers — SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League, 10 Jan 2015

Report by keano

Saltcoats kept thier unbeaten run intacked but only just after a tough test against a Kello side playing thier first game for 4 weeks.

 This game only just went ahead after long deliberation by ref Jordan Paterson he decided to start and see how it went but he had nothing to fear as there was a little inprovement in the weather and the rain held off. As both teams battled for the upper hand in the opening exchanges, Saltcoats gradually gained the advantage and Mark Ferris was first to have a go at the Kello goal but his shot was easily delt with by Alan Tipping between the sticks on 7mins, Kello slowly got used to playing against the strong wind and worked thier way into the game but Keiran Pagen was a little too high with thier first effort at the Saltcoats goal on 15mins but when Ryan Ross tried his luck from outside the area shortly afterwards Jim Catterson in the Saltcoats goal had to look lively. With both teams trying to gain control the game became a little bogged down in the middle of the park but the Weaver brothers Alan and Paul were trying thier best to open it up by playing passes wide to bring the wingers into the game which in turn was giving Paul Monan some good chances to have a go at the Kello rear guard of Ryan and Regan Ross but both held up well. At the other end of the park Robert Hampson was making sure the Saltcoats defence was not having it all thier own way either and Easdon and Jamie Whyte were stopping any real efforts at the Saltcoats goal. Just before the half time whistle Sean Quinn had a free kick from just outside the area go close after Joe Young had been up ended by Hyslop, and Paul Monan went close but the happier team at the break must have been Kello as they had held Saltcoats for the first half and against a stong wind that they could look forward to having after the break. Half time Saltcoats Vics 0 Kello Rovers 0

  Kello started the second half as if they ment buisness and had a shot sraight from kick off but it went well wide, but when Catterson's kick out held up in the wind Robert Hampton was fist to the ball and Catterson had to dive at his feet to save Kello taking an early lead. Saltcoats did take the lead with thier first attack of the half on 54mins when Paul Monan fired home from close range after some good work between Joe Young and Alan Weaver saw Liam Curren put over a dangerous cross and with the stong wind playing its part the ball fell nicely for Monan in a crowded box. The Saltcoats lead was short lived as 6mins later Steven (Shaka) Hyslop was given all the room at the back post from a corner and the big defender made no mistake with his header 1-1. Once Kello were on level terms they were determined not to fall behind again and took the game to Saltcoats, pushing forward and looking for a winner and Klack Thompson was first to sting Cattersons fingers with a shot from the edge of the area which the keeper did well to turn for a corner, Kello's best chance of the half came from Liam Weir when he had a shot through the packed Saltcoats defence that Catterson got down well to as he saw it late. As the full time whistle approached Saltcoats were hanging on and when Martin Shaw's shot went only inches wide in the last min they sigh of releif could be heard all the way to Winton Park.