Scone Thistle 3–1 Saltcoats Vics — Scottish Communities Cup, 28 Nov 2015

Report

For the first time in many years the name of Scone Thistle FC will go into the draw for the last 32 stage of the Scottish Junior Cup after the Jags overcame the conditions and their Ayrshire opponents in this afternoon’s Third Round tie at Farquharson Park to win 3-1.

Jags had been out of competitive action since the 31st of October after a couple of postponed matches and the early stages saw a bit of rustiness as Saltcoats Victoria had the better of the opening play.    Arthur had the first chance for the visitors after 3 minutes with a shot from distance that was easily held by Rice in the Scone goal.

The play was scrappy with the heavy rain having returned to Perthshire just as the match got underway and whilst both teams attempted to build attacks in most cases the final ball lacked the quality to set up clear cut chances.   Just after the half hour mark Gary Fergus had the first chance for the hosts when Lafferty crossed into the centre from the left wing, Easdon managed to header the ball clear before Mills could pounce but it only went as far as Fergus, however his first time effort was off target.

Johnston had replaced Young for the visitors after 28 minutes and almost made the breakthrough after 38 minutes when the Scone midfield opened up to allow the ball to be worked to the Vics’ striker on the edge of the box.   His effort produced a great save from Rice but the rebound broke to McKie, however he pulled his effort past the post.

Scone replied quickly and created a chance of their own at the other end when Avolio took a throw on the right to Hynd, he returned the ball to the Jags’ right back and his cross into the centre was met by Gary Fergus but the effort was just off target.

40 seconds later it was 1-0 Scone.  Catterson in the Saltcoats goal slipped whilst taking the goal kick and the low ball was easily picked up in midfield by Mitchell, he knocked it forward to Gary Fergus and, in turn, he picked out a great run by Mills to beat the offside trap and curl a great effort past Catterson to give the home side the lead.

The half time whistle came not long afterwards and the scoreline was perhaps a tad harsh on Saltcoats who had certainly shaded possession and chances in the first half, however the second half was a different story with Scone stepping up their play.

Infact the second 45 was only 3 minutes old when the hosts doubled their lead.

A long kick from hand by Rice looked like it was going to be met by Easdon but he slipped at the crucial moment and Hynd was able to latch onto the loose ball before going goalwards, Catterson made a sliding block at the edge of his box but the ball broke free to Gary Fergus who steered the ball into the back of the net.

Seven minutes later though Scone were reduced to 10 men when Hynd received his second yellow card of the match.

Jags went to a 4-4-1 formation with Gary Fergus dropping back into right midfield and made a further tweak after 65 minutes when last season’s player of the year, David Smith, came on for Lewis Avolio for his first appearance of the season after spending the summer in New York.

Jags kept the pressure on the visitors’ goal and almost made it 3-0 after 75 minutes when a Gary Fergus cross into the box was cleared only as far as Michie and his curling shot produced a great save from Catterson, the ball was cleared to Laing but his effort in reply was off target.

A quick goal kick saw the ball worked forward to Johnston in space at the other end but he pulled his effort to the left of the Scone goal when it looked easier to score.

Jags made their third and final sub after 79 minutes with Angus replacing the tiring Gary Fergus and what an inspired substitution it proved to be.

After Rice had produced a great save from a long range effort from Quinn Scone went up the other end of the pitch to score goal number three.

Lafferty was released into space on the left wing and played a great low cross towards Mills in the centre, he couldn’t quite reach the ball but at the back post was Derek Angus and with his first touch of the game, and a left footed one at that, curled the ball high into the back of the net.

There was just time for Lafferty to produce a great save from Catterson with a curling effort and for Quinn to score a consolation goal from the penalty spot for Saltcoats before the referee, Chris Fordyce, brought proceedings to a close and just in time as a heavy downpour soon had Farquharson Park unplayable within 15 minutes of the match ending.