Pupils’ point is just reward
CAMPBELTOWN Pupils clawed back some pride after their 10-goal opening-day mauling by claiming a draw away to last year’s SAFL champions East Kilbride.
The McFadyens sponsored Pupils named a strong starting XI, and aided by a couple of impressive cameos from the substitutes’ bench, earned a valuable point to kickstart their season.
Played at the impressive K-Park facility in East Kilbride last Saturday, a wide pitch and the early afternoon heat suggested a troubling afternoon for the Pupils, but they withstood any early pres- sure from their hosts.
While the Pupils had an experienced back four of Keith Mitchell, Jamie Burns, Shaun Grumoli and John McCallum, their attacking move to take the lead was a glimpse of the Pupils’ future.
Ryan Deans, 19, played the ball into 17-year-old Scott Souden, who showed composure to shield the ball at the edge of the box and release Deans in space, who advanced and slid a low shot under the EK keeper.
East Kilbride would come back into the game before half-time, hitting the bar from a corner and forcing a couple of late interventions from the Pupils’ defensive ranks, and from keeper Robert Coffield.
Young defender Lee Allen replaced Shaun Grumoli, who pulled up with a calf injury midway through the first half.
The 20-year-old would go on to have a fine game alongside Burns and the pair dealt well with any aerial threats thrown at them from EK in the dying stages.
In midfield, Ryan Gilchrist and Liam Renton began to control proceedings and were able to release Robin Barr on the left, and Gary Grumoli, playing the unenviable lone striker role.
However, further into the second half the Pupils began to live dangerously, allowing East Kilbride chances to put crosses into the box, and were forced into a some last-ditch clearances. The home side were then reduced to 10 men when their striker was punished for speaking out of turn to the referee.
Into the final 15 minutes, the Pupils could have made it 2-0 when Gary Grumoli hurtled down the left wing, before cutting the ball back to Deans, who just couldn’t keep his shot down.
Chris Thomson was also introduced late on to offer some hold-up play and take the pressure off the defensive line.
There was disappointment for the away dugout with six minutes remaining in the match when EK equalised from an excellent strike from 25 yards out, which arrowed into the top corner despite the palmed attempt from Coffield to keep it out.
After a vastly improved team performance and an encouraging point, the Feathers-sponsored Pupils will be hoping for their first league win when they host Drumchapel Amateurs Colts tomorrow (Saturday) at Kintyre Park. Kick off is 2pm.