Relieved Armadale coach Lee Bamber revealed how his side had shaken off adversity to claim a 1-0 win over Balcatta in the first round of the Cool Ridge Cup at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday.

With almost a dozen players unavailable, Bamber had been forced to shuffle a pack from which Jack Salter emerged holding the trump card with the winning goal in the 20th minute.

“We probably had about 11 different players out for different reasons so to come here and get a result is fantastic for us and testament to all the boys at the club,” Bamber said.

“The fact we only had a nervy last five minutes shows how well we played today.”

Salter scored with the first real chance of the game when Balcatta failed to clear a free-kick and he fired past goalkeeper Alex Dunn.

The goal seemed to wake up the home side, who created several half chances in the remainder of the first period but never really tested Ellis Hawksworth in Armadale’s goal.

Indeed, it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Balcatta fashioned their first clear chance of the game, with substitute Moe Atak played through with a terrific dinked pass, only for his goal bound volley to take a deflection off a defender.

Three minutes later, Hawksworth was called into action after a quiet afternoon as Olari Perlin’s low shot was blocked by the keeper’s legs.

In the last minute of injury time, Armadale had to rely on their resolute defence again, this time a goal line clearance with almost the last kick of the game preserving their lead.

Bacatta coach Saul Contera, whose side had not lost since defeat to Armadale in the first round of the All Flags Premier League, was disappointed at being dumped out of the cup so early and rued the lack of composure in front of goal.

“I think in contrast in our other games we dominated the possession and had the better chances,” he said. “We didn’t tuck any away and they took the chance they had for the game and they’re through. That’s cup football.

“We have to focus on the league, set things right... next week and start hitting the back of the net because I’m not happy with that at the moment.”


Cool Ridge Cup
Balcatta 0
Armadale 1 (Jack SALTER 20’)
Saturday 27 April, 2013
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tim Mihevc


Balcatta: GK. Alex DUNN, 2. Adam BACHILLER, 3. Jarrad SMITH (10. Moe ATAK 63’), 4. Julian MADASCHI, 6. Baj SAVIC, 8. Martin HALJAK (14. Olari PERLIN 78’), 9. Simon VERSAICO (7. Mike ASPIN 60’), 11. Ash ROSINDALE, 12. Simon ELTONBOT, 13. John MIGAS, 20. Chris THACKRAY
Substitutes not used: RGK. Daniel PASARELLI
Yellow cards: Savic 58’, Rosindale 78’
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: GK. Ellis HAWKSWORTH, 2. Daniel RICHMAN, 4. Ian MAGUIRE, 7. Rav KUPPUSAMY (14. Trevor LAURE 76’), 8. Louie BAKE, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Rhys LOXLEY, 12. Lance LOUVIE, 13. Sam LOVELESS, 15. Callum POTTON (18. Jack BAMBER 90’), 19. Jack SALTER (5. Chris HOLLAND 86’)
Substitutes not used: RGK. Tom ALLAN, 6. Allan CLAXTON
Yellow cards: Bake 65’, Loxley 75’
Red cards: Nil