YFS
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.