Pupils turnaround has been impressive
Campbeltown Pupils Youth 0 Knightswood BFC 2 GADYFL Division A – Under 15s
The Pupils U15s welcomed current league winners, League Cup and West Regional Cup winners
Knightswood to Campbeltown on Sunday in their GADYFL League Division A fixture.
The Glasgow side narrowly missed out on a clean sweep last season when they lost on penalties in the Scottish Cup final and visited Kintyre undefeated in the league.
Everyone knew this was an extremely tough fixture, the last score-line was 7-1 to Knightswood in May, but the Pupils have shown a significant turnaround this season and started the game well.
Despite constant pressure the defence of Graham, Dott, Arkell, Campbell and goalkeeper Paterson stood strong and frustrated the visitors.
Paterson, O’May, Shields and MacLachlan, along with forwards Ellis and Phillips, were equally impressive in giving Knightswood as little time on the ball as possible.
With just four minutes of the half remaining the visitors broke the deadlock when Donnan rose to meet a corner and head the ball home for deserved goal but it was another one lost to a set piece and disappointing so close to the half.
The second-half continued as the first with the Pupils defending in numbers and occasionally breaking on the counter with Ellis and Phillips trying as hard as they could.
With subs Semple, Parker and Oman introduced, the Ardshiel Hotel-sponsored side was showing huge character to keep the score line at 1-0 and was unlucky not to snatch an equaliser when Ellis beat the
offside track to round Knightswood goalie Keaney outside the box only to take one touch too many and lose the chance.
Those are the fine margins faced against a team which has not conceded a goal this season in the league.
With 11 minutes remaining Knightswood made it 2-0 with a goal from Fisher.
The scoreline remained the same with both teams receiving warm applause at the end of the game from a healthy crowd at the 3G AWP pitch on Kinloch Green.
A spokesperson said: ‘Every one of the Pupils 2005s can be extremely proud of their efforts with notable mentions to Paterson and Oman, who performed heroics in goal, and Arkell in particular in defence.
‘The turnaround in competing against some of the best teams in their age group in Scotland has been impressive this season and one for the boys to build on.
‘Sunday’s match ball was very kindly donated by Munch Café in the town’s Main Street – thanks very Munch!’
This Sunday the U15s are on their travels as they visit East Kilbride to play EK Rolls Royce.