Young Pupils’ point after fight back

Ardencaple Under-15s 2 Pupils Under-15s 2

PUPILS U15s secured a point against Ardencaple after fighting back from being two goals down in the first 10 minutes.

Last Saturday’s start was delayed an hour due to a refereeing mix up by the home side.

On a bright warm day it was the visitors who were caught cold with a low free kick after two minutes taking a slight deflection on its way into the far corner.

Worse followed 10 minutes later when a long hopeful ball sailed over the de- fence unchallenged and bounced above McKellar into the net for the softest of goals to double the home team’s lead.

Stunned by the start, and with two players off injured, the Pupils’ best chances came from set pieces.

Some inviting crosses were headed over the goal as Ardencaple defended their lead and were unlucky not to score a third when breaking up the field. The Pupils were happy to hear the halftime whistle.

With the Pupils’ two other subs on at halftime the second half was a different game as they almost completely dominated.

Five minutes in, Lang broke down the left and crossed to the far post where Brown took a touch and turned the full back only to be brought down for a penalty which Souden side footed home.

The Pupils continued to press and with 20 minutes remaining, a cross was cleared to MacBrayne who smashed the ball home for the equaliser.

Pupils tried desperately for a winner but just could not get the break of the ball in the box with shots being blocked despite the home team being reduced to 10 men with three minutes left, after an off-the-ball elbow.

Ardencaple held on with the Pupils’ best chance going over the bar with the last kick of the game.