Full time at Keppoch Park: Glasgow Perthshire 3–2 Saltcoats Victoria
Saltcoats Victoria went into the break 3–2 down at Glasgow Perthshire and could not find the intensity to get back into the game, losing 3–2 at Keppoch Park in the West of Scotland Football League Third Division.
The Vics began on the front foot and got at the Perthshire back line early, but a couple of good chances went begging. The hosts then took the lead against the run of play, scoring from a long throw that Stevie Wilson felt his side needed to deal with far better.
A strong response
The reaction to going behind was exactly what the manager wanted to see. A well-worked goal followed, with David Sawyers delivering the cross and Owen McGhee heading Saltcoats level. Only two minutes later, Euan Anderson put the Vics in front.
“I was delighted with our reaction to going a goal behind.”
Perthshire strike back
Saltcoats knew Glasgow Perthshire would be direct and put plenty of balls into the box at every opportunity. That cost them when a free kick was delivered into the area. The Vics won the first contact but failed to clear their lines, and Perthshire scored from the second ball.
Matters got worse when a penalty was awarded against the Vics, and David Kirkwood converted it. Wilson was honest that he had not seen the incident clearly and would not comment on the decision. It was 3–2 to Perthshire at half-time.
A flat second half
Wilson felt there was little between the sides at the interval and that a rise in intensity after the break would be enough. It never came. The Vics did not get going, and the quality on the ball was very poor. Gary Brown and Olamilekan Adebomi each had a good chance, but the manager was clear that the second-half performance did not merit a result.
Looking ahead
There is now a free week, and Wilson hopes to arrange a friendly to give game time to the players returning from injury. After that, attention turns to the next league fixture against Vale of Leven.
Teams
Saltcoats Victoria: Thomas Barrett, Euan Anderson, Reiss Love, Jamie Stirling (c), Shayne O’Neil, Haydon Barrett, David Sawyers, Olamilekan Adebomi, Owen McGhee, Dean Wilson, Brian McCullough.
Substitutes: Gary Brown, Rudi Johnston, Finlay Smith, Ryan Ritchie, Euan Kolankaya, Taylor Clark, Ruaridh Thompson.
Scorers: Owen McGhee, Euan Anderson.
