Reports from last weekend's games
Late goals stun Pupils.
SAFL Premier Division One
Campbeltown Pupils 2 Carlton YMCA 3
The McFadyen sponsored Campbeltown Pupils appeared to be closing in on their first win in a number of outings with only six minutes of the match remaining, then the roof fell in with two last gasp goals giving the visitors victory at the eleventh hour. The Pupils made no fewer than eight changes to the previous week's starting line-up, producing a side with an average age of only twenty. It was a bold move to try and kick-start a season that has gone steadily downhill, and, although the game was anything but a classic, a second half fightback looked to have claimed full points, that is, if the final six minutes were posted missing.
In any man's language, this was a cruel piece of misfortune for a young and inexperienced side; however, football is that type of sport. The game was finely balanced throughout, with both teams having their moments in the ascendancy. Carlton claimed first blood when a move down the left flank ended with the striker cutting inside to unleash a low shot beyond the reach McBrayne in the twentieth minute of the first-half. Minutes later the Pupils goalkeeper had to look lively when a ball to the far post took a wicked deflection; however, he reacted quickly and turned the ball over the top to safety.
Half time arrived with a single goal seperating the sides, probably a fair reflection in a game hard fought, but extremely tousy and devoid of the finer silky arts. The second period proved much brighter as a spectacle, especailly for the home side who at last found good possession going forward. The introduction of Renton and Henderson gave the side balance, and, with Mitchell pulling the strings in mid-field things at last began to happen.
A perfectly flighted corner from the right was headed home at the back post by David McGeachy to level the scores on the hour, just reward for the home side's best period of the match, and, the individuals most productive performance in a Pupils shirt. Now on the front foot, the home side started to take the initiiative for the first time in the match, the Pupils's young striker Ryan Gilchrist making an impression with fine individual play.
A first time shot from the edge of the box was fumbled by the Carlton keeper, Andrew Henderson quickest to react when he finsihed from close-range to put the home side 2-1 ahead with twenty minutes remaining. With both side's desperate to get their season up and running, their was little chance that Carlton would simply roll over. However, as the game eased into the last few minutes things looked good for the Pupils first win in five. Then the roof fell in!
A innocuous ball into the box was handled by James Armour as it pitched from the rutted goal area, a stonewall penalty-kick and lifeline for the visitors. The kick was dispatched in clinical fashion to bring the scores level, and, with time almost gone a draw looked on the cards. If it was simply down to fortune, when it comes to the home side lady luck has been looking the other way this season, however, there was nothing fotunate about the winning goal. A lofted ball forward spun over the top of the Pupils defence, the Carlton winger finding devine inspiration to hit a tremendous angled volley beyond McBrayne for a spectacular winner at the death. Hard to take especially so late, but football is not renowed for being a kindly game.
SAFL Division Three
Good result on the road for Pupils 'B'
Jamestown 2 Campbeltown Pupils 'B' 2
Goals from Chris Thompson and Paul McWhirter gave the Pupils B side an excellent draw against pace setters Jamestown away from home last Saturday.
The result could have ben even better if a late goal by the home side in the fifth minute of injury time had been avoided. Still, a positive start to the season after the enforced winter break.
Fixtures for this weekend
5th February 2011Premier Greenock HSFP v St. Josephs 14:00 Gary Stephen
Premier 1 Busby v Kings Park Rangers 14:00 Ian Smith
Premier 1 Centre v Duncanrig FP 14:00 John McKeown
Premier 1 Glencastle Sparta v
Campbeltown Pupils 14:00 Don Flanagan
Premier 1 Kilbowie Union v Carlton YM 14:00 Robert Doolan
Premier 2 Celtic Community Academy v
Tarbert 14:00 Derek Milton
Premier 2 Clydebank College v Port Glasgow Old Boys Union 14:00 Alessandro Saverese
Premier 2 Haldane United v Dunoon 14:00 Gary Fitzpatrick
Division 1 Carlton YM (B) v Inverkip Thistle 14:00 James Jamieson
Division 1 Duncanrig FP (B) v Sporto 14:00 Douglas McInnes
Division 1 Gourock Thistle v Auldhouse 14:00 Derek Sansome
Division 1 Whitehill F.P v Lochgilphead Red Star 14:00 Norman McDermott
Division 2 Cambria (B) v Millbeg 14:00 Gordon MacKay
Division 2 Rosehill Star v Shawlands F.P (B) 14:00 Colin McDonald
Division 3
Campbeltown Pupils AFC (B) v Bothwell and Uddingston Albion 14:00 Jimmy Litster
Division 3 Millerston Thistle v Jamestown 14:00 John McQuilter
Division 3 West Coast Thistle v Strathaven Dynamo 14:00 Chris Wilson