Pupils find it ‘ferry’ tough in Ayrshire
Campbeltown Pupils went over the water to Ayrshire for their final away day of the 2022-23 season as they faced Kilwinning-based side Eglinton.
The McFadyens-sponsored Pupils had beaten Eglinton 3-1 on the opening day of the season, so the visitors hoped to take something from the game back to Kintyre.
In buoyant mood after an encouraging performance at home to BSC Glasgow earlier, the Feathers Inn-sponsored side took a two-ferry route to Ayrshire and back, via Portavadie and Gourock. However, the Pupils looked out of sorts for much of the contest and found themselves 1-0 down at the break after a defensive mix-up allowed a ball across goal from the right to be despatched into the net with a low first-time finish across keeper Alasdair Ferguson.
The Pupils did have a couple of good chances to equalise before the interval, however. Scott Souden played in Stuart Crossan, who forced new Eglinton keeper Robbie Ure – signed on loan from Maryhill FC two divisions above – into a smart save. Crossan was denied again when Calum Ellis cut the ball back from the right side facing Eglinton’s goal, at the goal line, and the “Jousters” defence managed to scramble an effort clear off the goal line.
Eglinton looked improved on last July’s encounter, a more self-assured and dangerous side than the one which was perhaps pounced upon by a Pupils team with a season of WoSFL football under their belts from 2021-22.
Eglinton consistently tried to play out from the back and their number nine proved an important link player between attack and defence, alternating between “number 10” and “number six” roles.
A second goal arrived for the hosts midway through the second half, when an initial shot was blocked but their winger volleyed home despite the efforts of Michael McKinlay to block and of Ferguson in goal.
Souden then had a chance for the Pupils after carving out some space for himself, but the ball caught under his feet slightly and his effort was gathered by the Eglinton keeper.
Goals three and four followed on the counter, both from smart left-footed finishes.
The Pupils had a late chance of a consolation goal when Ryan Shields was put through on goal but the youngster’s shot, which evaded the onrushing Ure in goal, was cleared from goal just as it looked to be trickling over the line.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Pupils are at home to Thorn Athletic FC, the Johnstonebased
team well known to the Pupils from many battles in their amateur league days, and with whom the Pupils have shared a couple of close encounters already this season in league and cup action.
Kick off is 2pm at Kintyre Park. For more information see Campbeltown Football on Facebook or @PupilsAFC on Twitter.