Match Report : Whitletts v St Anthonys
WHITLETTS VICTORIA 3 - ST ANTHONY’S 1
Whitletts Victoria came out on top in a tough and entertaining tie at Dam Park to book their place in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup.
This was the first time the two clubs had come face to face for 61 years when Vics came out on top in a replay at the same stage of the West but with no replays now in this competition, this match had to be decided on the day.
The game kicked off with both sides pressing for the early advantage. Tony Balfour created space inside the box but his shot went over the crossbar while Ants Kieron Maxwell broke through from midfield but toe poked the ball just wide of Ally McInnes post.
But it was the home side who made the breakthrough in the 9th minute. Jordan Boyd’s shot from distance was parried by keeper Daniel Campbell and Balfour pounced to fire home the rebound.
Ants continued to press forward and Dean McKay fired a free kick from 20 yards over the bar but Whitletts were beginning to look the more threatening going forward and Campbell had to be alert to block a Balfour follow up after Paul Cameron was challenged inside the area. Campbell was on hand again to deny Blair Anderson with a drive from outside the area and moments later the Ants keeper parried a Balfour drive at his near post.
Whitletts were finding the space in midfield and creating openings almost at will. Twice Balfour found himself in space but shot straight at the keeper but a second goal looked on the cards and it came in the 34th minute. From Balfour’s corner Jordan Mullen bundled the ball home from close range.
2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and Ants almost replied instantly. Serge Kimbala setting up Patrick Smith but the striker effort was turned round the post by McInnes. But in the 39th minute the Govan side did reduce the leeway as Vics failed to clear their lines from a corner and Kimbala fired home from close range. Balfour went close to restoring Vics two goal advanatage with a free kick that flashed inches wide while at the other end McInnes had to be alert to change direction to save a deflected Maxwell drive from 20 yards.
The second half started in similar fashion with both sides taking every opportunity to go forward and Vics squandered a great chance to increase their lead in the 53rd minute. A two on one break saw Balfour set up Paul Cameron who in turn laid the ball Anderson. He took the ball round the keeper to set up Balfour who’s shot came back off the underside of the crossbar.
Ants were having most of the possession but failing to put the home defence under any real pressure while the final ball into the box was letting Vics down too often on the counter attack which contributed to neither keeper being put to the test.
But in the 74th minute Vics lloked to have booked their place in the next round with a third goal. From Balfour cross into the box, Chris Black controlled the ball on his chest before firing a right foot volley across Campbell into the net at the far post.
With six minutes remaining, with Ants flinging everything into attack, Ally Boyle won possession deep inside the Ants half and played in Balfour who again was denied by Campbell and in the final minute of the 90 the Ants keeper denied Cammy Ross, pushing aside the youngsters strike. In injury time Balfour had a great chance to score a fourth for Vics when Ross sent him clear but the striker fired wide as the Ayr side booked their place in the second round.
Whitletts Victoria
1. McInnes 2. Anderson(Mathieson 70) 3. Ewart 4. Mullen 5. Cunningham 6. Sloan 7. Boyd 8. Black 9. Cameron (Boyle 70) 10. Kennedy (Ross 66) 11. Balfour
Saint Anthony’s
1. Campbell 2. Crawford 3. R.Smith 4. Miller 5. Dougan (Neossi 36) 6. McGowan 7. McKay 8. O’Hara 9. P.Smith (Brown 63) 10. Maxwell 11. Kimbala (Duncan 63) Subs (not used) 16. O’Brien 17. C.Smith
Referee: Jamie Sherpherd
Whitletts Victoria came out on top in a tough and entertaining tie at Dam Park to book their place in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup.
This was the first time the two clubs had come face to face for 61 years when Vics came out on top in a replay at the same stage of the West but with no replays now in this competition, this match had to be decided on the day.
The game kicked off with both sides pressing for the early advantage. Tony Balfour created space inside the box but his shot went over the crossbar while Ants Kieron Maxwell broke through from midfield but toe poked the ball just wide of Ally McInnes post.
But it was the home side who made the breakthrough in the 9th minute. Jordan Boyd’s shot from distance was parried by keeper Daniel Campbell and Balfour pounced to fire home the rebound.
Ants continued to press forward and Dean McKay fired a free kick from 20 yards over the bar but Whitletts were beginning to look the more threatening going forward and Campbell had to be alert to block a Balfour follow up after Paul Cameron was challenged inside the area. Campbell was on hand again to deny Blair Anderson with a drive from outside the area and moments later the Ants keeper parried a Balfour drive at his near post.
Whitletts were finding the space in midfield and creating openings almost at will. Twice Balfour found himself in space but shot straight at the keeper but a second goal looked on the cards and it came in the 34th minute. From Balfour’s corner Jordan Mullen bundled the ball home from close range.
2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and Ants almost replied instantly. Serge Kimbala setting up Patrick Smith but the striker effort was turned round the post by McInnes. But in the 39th minute the Govan side did reduce the leeway as Vics failed to clear their lines from a corner and Kimbala fired home from close range. Balfour went close to restoring Vics two goal advanatage with a free kick that flashed inches wide while at the other end McInnes had to be alert to change direction to save a deflected Maxwell drive from 20 yards.
The second half started in similar fashion with both sides taking every opportunity to go forward and Vics squandered a great chance to increase their lead in the 53rd minute. A two on one break saw Balfour set up Paul Cameron who in turn laid the ball Anderson. He took the ball round the keeper to set up Balfour who’s shot came back off the underside of the crossbar.
Ants were having most of the possession but failing to put the home defence under any real pressure while the final ball into the box was letting Vics down too often on the counter attack which contributed to neither keeper being put to the test.
But in the 74th minute Vics lloked to have booked their place in the next round with a third goal. From Balfour cross into the box, Chris Black controlled the ball on his chest before firing a right foot volley across Campbell into the net at the far post.
With six minutes remaining, with Ants flinging everything into attack, Ally Boyle won possession deep inside the Ants half and played in Balfour who again was denied by Campbell and in the final minute of the 90 the Ants keeper denied Cammy Ross, pushing aside the youngsters strike. In injury time Balfour had a great chance to score a fourth for Vics when Ross sent him clear but the striker fired wide as the Ayr side booked their place in the second round.
Whitletts Victoria
1. McInnes 2. Anderson(Mathieson 70) 3. Ewart 4. Mullen 5. Cunningham 6. Sloan 7. Boyd 8. Black 9. Cameron (Boyle 70) 10. Kennedy (Ross 66) 11. Balfour
Saint Anthony’s
1. Campbell 2. Crawford 3. R.Smith 4. Miller 5. Dougan (Neossi 36) 6. McGowan 7. McKay 8. O’Hara 9. P.Smith (Brown 63) 10. Maxwell 11. Kimbala (Duncan 63) Subs (not used) 16. O’Brien 17. C.Smith
Referee: Jamie Sherpherd