Cantera secured the PJ&DYFL League Cup with a convincing 4-0 win over St Peters in Port Glasgow. Before kick off, both teams observed a minute’s silence to honour the victims of the Manchester attack.

Both teams started the match with great intensity but struggled to break down each other’s defences. Chances came at a premium during the opening exchanges but Cantera came close after a set-piece.

Cantera attacker Kyle Alexander hit a corner nine minutes into the first half that floated the ball invitingly into the far post where centre back Jordan Bow was waiting, but Bow fired his header narrowly over the bar.

The atmosphere was cagey as each side took turns probing the other’s defence without success. Cantera centre back Daniel Ferguson was looking particularly impressive in the opening twenty minutes, demonstrating a wide range of passing for a nominal defender.

Cantera then came close to an opening goal following another corner. Brian McCulloch’s corner after 26 minutes was fired into the near post where Ferguson glanced his header slightly over the far corner.

St Peters increasingly struggled to create opportunities as Cantera applied heavier pressure. McCulloch did well when he sprinted down the left wing before knocking the ball back to Matthew McDowall at the edge of the box. McDowall cut inside but his shot was high and wide of the far post.

Then with just five minutes remaining in the first half, Cantera took the lead. Striker McDowall showed his strength to control a long ball forward at the edge of the box with his back to goal. McDowall played a neat through ball for Keaton Scott Shira, who took one touch then fired the ball into the bottom left corner.

The ref blew his whistle for half-time shortly afterwards and while Cantera were ahead, there was a feeling St Peters had more to offer in the second half.

St Peters kicked off for the second half and began the game with an impressive desire to take the game to Cantera. A few minutes into the second half the Saints would have equalised too, if not for some outstanding goalkeeping from Cantera stopper Daniel Ferguson.

St Peters forward Chimwemwe Goma picked up the ball on the left wing and cut into the box when the ball fell to Saints striker Matthew McArthur, 6 yards out and with his back to goal. McArthur showed quick feet to turn and get his shot away but Ferguson reacted with an excellent instinctive save and the ball was parried behind for a corner.

Four minutes later, McArthur had an almost identical chance to level the score but again missed his opportunity. A long ball from the right wing was met by Goma at the far post, who headed it down to McArthur. This time however, the striker couldn’t get his shot away and the Cantera defence cleared.

St Peters were now looking the more likely team to score and Goma should have done better after fashioning a chance with a wonderful piece of skill. The attacker chased a long ball down the left wing and beat three Cantera defenders whilst driving into the box. The goal presented itself to Goma but he opted to attempt an unsuccessful pass to a team-mate, much to the relief of the Cantera defence.

Fifteen minutes into the second half McArthur received the ball 20 yards from the Cantera goal and showed good feet to get his low shot away, but Ferguson saved comfortably.

Cantera went close to doubling their advantage after Alexander struck a shot from 30 yards. His shot was deflected by the St Peters defence but rolled invitingly towards Scott Shirra breaking into the box. The winger flashed his low shot wide of the right post.

Just two minutes later Cantera grabbed their second following some lax defending from the Saints. A cross into the box eventually fell at the feet of McDowall eight yards from goal, who calmly fired into the left of goal. St Peters keeper Jack Donohoe could do nothing but watch the ball fly past him.

The second goal took the wind out of St Peters sails as Cantera regained possession of the ball and moved it around confidently. Three minutes after their second, Cantera got a third goal that ended any hopes of a St Peters comeback.

Tait collected the ball 35 yards from goal, slightly to the left of the centre and drove towards goal, beating two Cantera players in the process. As he reached the box he slotted home a left foot shot into the bottom right of the St Peters goal.

The Saints heads dropped after the third and began to commit more players forward while the Cantera defence, in particular centre back Jordan Bow, dealt with them expertly and continued to attempt to hit St Peters on the break.

Left winger McCulloch went close when he sprinted down the left wing and fired a low shot at Donohoe’s near post, but the goalkeeper did well to deny him and parried the ball behind.

Cantera got their fourth from the resulting corner. The Cantera players knocked the ball around the Saints box with some neat passing and eventually the Cantera number 6 slotted home with a simple composed finish.

Not long after the referee blew the final whistle and the Cantera players celebrated as worthy League Cup winners. Saints will surely look back and rue the chances they missed early in the second half when the Cantera lead was just one, but can have no complaints about the final result.