Coldstream 4
Selkirk 1
KING CUP FIRST ROUND
IT was third time lucky for this King Cup tie after two previous postponements – but any good fortune deserted Selkirk before kick-off as they slumped out of the competition.
The Souters missed a series of opportunities and watched Streamers striker John Crawford score four goals at the other end, taking his tally to an incredible 34 for the season.
The only plus point for Mike McKinnon’s men was Michael Holness grabbing a goal on his Selkirk debut, but even he missed a penalty in the closing stages.
Former Berwick Rangers forward Crawford was on the scoresheet from the first minute at Home Park, heading in Daniel Cornish’s corner.
Selkirk’s Daryl Burdett saw a shot saved by Mark Walters before Holness grabbed an impressive equaliser by beating his marker and calmly scoring beyond Walters.
The visitors’ William Mercer and Kirstian Neil of Coldstream both went close to giving their respective sides the half-time lead, but Walters and Selkirk’s John Dodds made fine saves to deny them at either end. Selkirk continued to have the better of the chances after the break, but instead the homesters regained the lead as Crawford’s effort squeezed under Dodds.
Walters then somehow denied Aaron Swailes from close range and stopped a Burdett 16-yard drive.
Crawford’s hat-trick was completed in 84 minutes as his curling effort beat Dodds and with two minutes remaining he added a fourth.
Selkirk could not even reduce the deficit as Holness missed from the spot after Walters brought down Burdett in added time.
Selkirk: J. Dodds, B. Milven, J. Higginbottom, Ross McManus, D. Battle, W. Mercer (J. Watt 85), Ryan McManus, J. Inglis, A. Swailes, M. Holness, D. Burdett.