FOOTBALL — Update From Port Glasgow Boys’ ClubMATCH reports from Port Glasgow Boys’ Club 2004 squads.
Ashfield 3 v Port Glasgow BC (Black) 0
The boys travelled with a depleted squad to Milton to take on a strong Ashfield side. The Port had the better of the early stages and created several goal-scoring opportunities that they could not convert and paid the penalty for this with Ashfield scoring a screamer just before half-time. With the boys down to the bare bones and toiling in the heat, Ashfield were able to extend their lead late in the game with two further goals.
Port Glasgow BC (Black) 4 v Giffnock Thistle 4
This match was a proverbial “game of two halves”. The Port will look back with mixed views after creating a comfortable lead before hanging on at the death to gain a point. The team would excelled in the first half with goals from Dillon and McAteer before Giffnock pulled one back.
Before the break, Madden and McPhee extended the Port’s lead and it looked like game over. Unfortunately the players took that view too and lost three goals and were left thanking McDougall in the Port goal for some saves to keep Giffnock at bay.
Scorers –- Dillon, McAteer, Madden and McPhee
Knightswood 3 v Port Glasgow BC (Black) 5
The Port travelled to Bearsden for a midweek fixture and turned in a good performance to seal their first win of the season. They took the lead when Darroch skipped passed two defenders to open the scoring and added a second with an effort from the edge of the box. However, like the previous fixture, the Port switched off and allowed Knightswood an easy goal, but extended their lead when Harkins volleyed home a corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Knightswood pulled a second back after the Port lost possession in their opponents’ half. In the second half, Knightswood threw everything at the Port’s goal and eventually got an equaliser when the ball was cut back for the forward to fire home. However the Port rolled up their sleeves and restored their lead when Darroch shot past the keeper. Knightswood continued to press but couldn’t find a way past the Port defence and the Port added a firth when Darroch ran clear to add his fourth.
Scorers -– Darroch (4) and Harkins
Langcraigs 2 v Port Glasgow BC (Black) 2
The Port travelled to play Langcraigs in a match spoiled by the conditions. Playing into the strong wind, the Port took the lead when Darroch raced down the line and crossed for Crawley to head home. The game was going end to end and Langcraigs equalised right on half-time when a free kick into the box was misjudged by the Port allowing the Langcraigs forward to head past McDougall into the net.
The second half saw several moments of controversy with Langcraigs being awarded two penalties. The first came when Leslie blocked a cross with his face, however the referee deemed it to hit his hand and, despite the marking on his face, sent Leslie off and Langcraigs converted to go 2-1. Despite being down to 10 men, the Port battled away and got a deserved equaliser when Crawley fired home low across the keeper.
With minutes remaining Langcraigs were awarded a second penalty for a tackle that took place outside the box (inside the D) yet the referee from 40 yards away gave the penalty to everyone, including Langcraigs’s, dismay. However they were unable to convert this and fired it over the bar. With seconds remaining it looked like the Port had knicked it when Baxter hit a free kick from 40 yards which hit the bar and rebounded off the keeper but the Port were unable to put the rebound home.
Scorer -– Crawley (2)
Port Glasgow BC (Black) 2 v St Cadoc’s Saints 2 (St Cadoc’s win 3-1 on penalties)
The Port entertained St Cadoc’s in the Scottish Cup in a match that was end to end. Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the boys were unlucky to go in one down at half-time. Firstly the Port were awarded a penalty when Creen was brought down but it was sent high over the bar. It wasn’t long before St Cadoc’s made the Port pay when they scored with a cross that found the top corner.
In the second half, the Port took the game to St Cadoc’s and Crawley equalised. The game again went end to end with both keepers making saves to keep it level. The Port thought they had won the tie when Darroch slotted home with minutes remaining. However a controversial equaliser for St Cadoc’s took the game to extra time.
Neither team was able to get the third goal thanks to some good goalkeeping and the match went to penalties with St Cadocs winning 3-1. The team wish St Cadoc’s all the best in the cup.
Scorers -– Crawley and Darroch
Port Glasgow BC (Orange) 2 Busby 1
Port entertained Busby at Parklea, a team that twice last year beat them scoring, 11 goals and only conceding one, so it was a day to right a few wrongs. This game could have gone either way and was probably one for the neutrals to enjoy. The first half saw Busby create the better chances and they probably just shaded it in terms of possession, but it remained 0-0 at the break.
In the second half, the Port made a sub and Luke Folan came on to make an instant impact as he won the ball and passed it though to Paddy Gault who beat the advancing keeper. The next goal was always going to be crucial and, with the Port pushing forward at a throw-in, they were caught on the counter and Busby equalised to make it 1-1.
The game went from end to end as the subs were all used. A shot from the Port was cleared and fell to Sean Gault out wide on the right. From about 25 yards out, a low drilled shot found its way through a crowd of players and through the keeper’s legs to put the Port ahead.
With the clock ticking down and the boys trying to see the game out, a long ball forward caught the Port out. Charlie Scott did well to track the runner into the box but unfortunately a bit of a clumsy challenge saw the referee point to the spot. Matthew Currie stood tall as he brilliantly saved the spot kick and the referee blew for full-time.
Man of the match — Matthew Currie, and big mention to Charlie Scott who came on and acquitted himself very well.
The team thank sponsors Marcus Humphrey House and Orangefield Dental Care
