Campbeltown Pupils 1
Rutherglen Glencairn 3
WOS Cup Second Round
Campbeltown Pupils exited the West of Scotland Cup last Saturday after a very competitive match against Rutherglen Glencairn at Kintyre Park.
The Pupils squad were motivated to restore their pride after the previous week’s heavy defeat and were strengthened by six players returning for selection.
The visitors, last season’s Scottish Junior Cup losing finalists and currently 60 places above the Pupils in the Lowland pyramid, got the best possible start scoring twice in the opening 12 minutes.
Both goals could have been defended better, Paul Brennan bundling home the opener from a long throw, and Matthew Gear nipping in to prod the second after hesitation between goalkeeper and defence.
Glencairn kept the pressure on and it took a close range double save from Pupils goalkeeper Leon Murphy to stop them going further ahead.
The Pupils, sponsored at home by McFaydens Contractors, settled down and began to create some decent chances; Calum Ellis having a left-foot drive saved after being set up by Scott Souden.
Minutes later, Ryan Deans powered into the box and was clipped by the chasing defender as he was about to shoot.
“The referee must have been the only person in the ground to not see the contact,” said a Pupils spokesperson. “If he watched the highlights on the visitors’ TV channel, he would have certainly realised his mistake in not awarding a penalty.”
In the 28th minute, Deans, who troubled the Glencairn defence throughout the game, deservedly got the Pupils back in the match, latching onto a Craig Lamont pass to score low past the keeper with a calm finish.
Both sides went at it in the second half and chances were passed up by both sides in a very exciting cup tie enjoyed by a large crowd.
Glencairn were reduced to 10 men after 77 minutes when substitute Ryan McManus picked up a second yellow card.
It was another substitute, Mason Durham, who scored the clinching third goal in the 82nd minute. He picked up a loose Pupils pass before curling a superb effort into the top corner from outside the box.
“Another controversial decision from the referee in the final minutes had the Pupils supporters howling in disgust when, after a goalmouth scramble, the ball was clearly forced over the line,” said the Pupils spokesperson. “His explanation was he could not see from his position.”
The Pupils players’ efforts against a side high flying at the top of division one have to be commended.
Top performers on the day were Keith Mitchell for marshalling the defence, and Souden and Deans for their link-up play which caused Glencairn plenty of problems.
Also special mention to young goalkeeper Murphy, who has joined the team during a very difficult run of fixtures to replace the injured Alasdair Ferguson.
The team is grateful to last Saturday’s match ball sponsor, local shellfish company Scottish Fishing, and thankful to Scott and Alice Anne McKinlay for their continued support.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Pupils are at home in the league against Rossvale FC who are currently in fourth place. It is hoped that manager Norman Thomson will have a strong pool available for selection. The game kicks off at 2pm.