Pupils’ powerful goals punished Port Glasgow
CAMPBELTOWN Pupils made it three league wins on the bounce after beating Port Glasgow 2-0 at Kinloch Park.
A stuffy first half saw both sides struggle for a clear sight of goal, with the visiting goalkeeper pulling off impressive saves from a number of Pupils efforts from range.
Port Glasgow rarely threatened from open play in the first half, but can consider themselves unlucky not to have scored from a set piece when a back-post header, from inside the six-yard box, was directed downwards, but bounced over the bar.
Into the second half, the Pupils worked to give lone striker Sary Rahma, playing at the head of a 4-2-3-1 formation, the support he largely missed in the first half. Winger Scott Souden went agonisingly close to scoring after meeting a cross from the left-hand side, but his header rattled the keeper’s righthand post.
It was starting rightback Martin McCallum, though, who gave the Pupils a 1-0 lead just past the hour mark.
Moving into attacking midfield after an injury to Gary Grumoli – another victim of the synthetic surface at Kinloch which looks in need of some maintenance – he beat the offside trap to control, turn and finish smartly to the visiting keeper’s bottom left-hand corner.
It was the release the home side needed to overcome their toughto-beat opponents, and minutes later, after continued pressure on the Port Glasgow goal, the McFadyens-sponsored Pupils doubled their lead.
Sary Rahma was picked out at the right of the six-yard box and, after seeing his first effort well saved by the keeper, slotted the ball home low with his right foot.
During the final few minutes the home favourites maintained pressure on the Port Glasgow goal and despite not scoring more, the Feathers Inn-sponsored Pupils did enough to see out the match in comfortable fashion.
Pupils secured a satisfying three points, as well as a clean sheet for impressive standin goalkeeper Ellis Robertson. Tomorrow the Pupils have a free week, with only one league fixture remaining.
Meanwhile, the Pupils have the opportunity of a cup run, with a home tie against Houston outstanding, the winner of which will play either St. Joseph’s or Hillington, both SAFL Premier sides.
For upcoming fixture information please see next week’s Courier, or visit Campbeltown Football on Facebook.