GREENOCK HIGH SCHOOL FP's AFC est. 1907.
|
|
|
Homepage About Us Results/Fixtures Apps & Goals Match Reports GHSFP Lottery Squad News PhotoGallery Archive Links Sponsors Diddies and Donkeys Calender Contact Us |
MATCH REPORTS 2009/10
NCR AFC 1-2 Greenock HSFP
Scottish Cup 3rd Rnd
Caird Park Stadium, Dundee
Saturday 7th November 2009
'Stephen Burden on target for Greenock'
With almost 20 minutes on the clock the visitors deservedly went in front when Sean Jamieson powered home a front post header from a Burden corner.
With 5 minutes left till half time Greenock deservedly doubled there advantage, when good work down the right by Munro and Loughran resulted in the later finding an onrushing Burden 8 yards out and he made no mistake this time powering his effort into the net.
HT: 2-0
The start of the 2nd half saw the home side again exert some pressure as they tried to get the goal that would bring them back into the tie, but as with the 1st half McEwan was rarely tested. Mick O'Donoghue was unlucky to see a header from a Barry Munro cleared off the line.
NCR continued to press forward and it took a couple of well timed tackles from Jamieson and Doyle to keep the 2 goal lead in tact. With 15 minutes remaining NCR got back into the game.
Overall this was a good performance from Greenock against a more than capable NCR side, although
Greenock HSFP Team: McEwan, Jamieson, Doyle, McAllister, Rankin, Munro, Burden(Cannon 80), Fulton (Mckellar 75), O'Donoghue, Loughran(McCarn 75), McColgan
Goals: S. Jamieson and S. Burden
Greenock HSFP 5-0 Glencastle Sparta
SAFL Premier League
Battery Park 3G, Greenock
Saturday 31st October 2009
'Jimmy opens his High School account'
It was back to league business for
Within a minute Glencastle created what was probably there best chance of the 90 minutes when there sprightly right mid got in behind the Greenock backline, but McEwan starting his 1st game of the season closed down the angles quickly and saved well.
After that early scare the remainder of the match was pretty much one way traffic.
HT: 1-0
The one way traffic continued after the break and
It took a further 15 minutes for
Chances were now coming thick and fast and Burden, McAllister and Smith all passed up good chances before McColgan again struck the 4th. McColgan picked the ball up just inside the Glencastle half and out-sprinted his marker before again dispatching under the keeper to double his own tally for the day.
With 5 minutes on the clock the 5th arrived. Glencastle cleared a corner but only as far as Burden out on the right. Burden sent in an inch perfect cross that Sean Jamieson met powerfully from 8 yards out giving the
Greenock should have added more to this as more chances were passed up and with pretty much the last kick of the ball McColgan was presented with a great chance to notch a hat-trick when the Referee pointed to the spot after a hand ball by a Glencastle defender, and in the process sending him off for a 2nd bookable offence. McColgan spot kick was well saved by the
Overall it was a good victory for
Greenock HSFP Team: McEwan, Jamieson, Doyle (Gilmour 65), McAllister, McLaughlin, Munro, McKellar, Fulton, O'Donoghue(Burden70), Loughran (Smith 75), McColgan
Goals: B. Munro, C. Fulton, M. McColgan(2), S. Jamieson
Arkleston 3-2 Greenock HSFP
West of Scotland Cup 2nd Rnd
Linwood Sports Centre
Saturday 24th October 2009
'Gordon Smith opened the scoring'
Greenock made the short trip to Linwood to face fellow SAFL side Arkleston in the West of Scotland Cup 2nd round tie. Right up to kick off there was a doubt over the match with some surface water on the park but Arkleston managed to brush the majority off and the game went ahead.
Greenock were again forced into a number of changes with Chris Fulton, Scott McKellar, James McClure, Shaun McCarn and Craig McLaren all missing out. Brian McLaughlin came in for his debut, whilst Brendan Doyle returned at the back with a new strike partnership of Gordon Smith and Malky McDonald.
Greenock started the match reasonably well and pushed the home side back in the early stages with the aid of the breeze. With 15 minutes on the clock the opener arrived. An Arkleston Midfielder tried to play a pass to one of his own defenders but only succeeded in sending Gordon Smith in on goal. Smith stayed calm, skipped past a despairing challenge, rounded the keeper and knocked into the net from a tight angle.
Greenock could have doubled there lead shortly after when smith met a cross from the right but it caught up in the mud and the Arkleston defenders done enough to stop him prodding home, and the keeper pounced on it. After this Arkleston began to impose themselves on the game as Greenock took their eye off the ball. Just after the half hour mark the scores were level. Greenock failed to properly clear a corner from the left and it was knocked back into the danger area where an Arkleston player was first to react to finish from 6 yards out.
Arkleston continued to look the most threatening at this point and 5 minutes later they took the lead. Greenock conceded a needless free kick out on the left touchline. The resultant free kick was fired in powerfully to McKenzie's near post, where he saved but couldn't hold onto it and again it was an Arkleston player who reacted first to slam home.
HT: 1-2
The start of the 2nd mirrored the end of the 1st half with Arkleston on the front foot. And 10 minutes in they increased their lead. The ball was fed wide and SAFL select player William Fleming sped down the line and whipped over a cross. Unfortunately for Greenock this cross flew over the Greenock keeper and in at the far post.
Greenock were now up against it as they were being outfought all over the park. Greenock changed there shape to go 3-4-3 with Barry Munro and Gary Loughran entering the fray, and this seemed to make a difference as Greenock started to look a bit more threatening. Greenock had a couple of efforts from Loughran, Smith and McAllister but the Arkleston keeper was not being tested, whilst Arkleston looked really dangerous on the counter and twice there big right mid who'd caused problems all day, got into a couple of great scoring positions, once he cleared the bar and the other took a great last ditch tackle from Neil Rankin to keep the game alive.
With 15 minutes still remaining Greenock got a goal back when Gary Loughran found space down the left flank and dinked an inch perfect ball to the back post where Malky McDonald headed under the keeper from 6 yards out.
Greenock were throwing everything forward now and had the ball in the net with 5 to go when Jamieson squared to Smith but the referee rightly ruled it out for offside. The home defence stood strong and held out for a deserved victory.
Overall it was a very disappointed Greenock side that trudged off, but they only have themselves to blame as a more determined team defeated them on the day
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, Gilmour, Doyle, McAllister, McLaughlin (Loughran), McColgan, Rankin, Burden, McDonald (Munro 75), Smith
Goals: G. Smith and M. McDonald
Greenock HSFP 4-0 Postal Utd
SAFL Premier League
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 17th October 2009
'James McClure Strike sets Greenock on there way'
It was back to league business again for Greenock as last years bogey team Postal Utd visited the Battery Park. It was a perfect day for a game of football with the sun splitting the sky and very little wind which is rather unusual at the Battery.
As is now custom Greenock were forced into several changes from the previous weeks team, with Stephen Burden, Scott McKellar, Neil Rankin and Kenny Gilmour coming into the starting line up for Brendan Doyle, Chris Fulton, Mick O'Donoghue and James Cannon who missed out through work and injury, to add to the long term absence of Captain Craig McLaren.
The opening 5 or 10 minutes were pretty even as the teams tried to suss each other out, but it was the home side that began to dominate after this. The Postal defence were under absorbing a lot of pressure and early chances went begging for Greenock when a couple of dangerous crosses from either side of the park were either dealt with by visiting defence or the opportunities passed up. 25 minutes into the match however Greenock managed to get the lead. Good build up play in the midfield from McCarn and Burden in the latter crossing for James McClure to bury his effort low beyond the big Postal keeper from 6 yards out.
Postal had a few foray's up the park and managed a few efforts from outside the box but McKenzie in the Greenock goal was not tested. Despite Greenock's dominance the 1-0 score line remained at the half way point
HT: 1-0
The start of the 2nd half brought Postal's best spell of the game as a sloppy Greenock started slowly and the visitors pushed them back. McKenzie was eventually called into action 10 minutes in when he saved a 25-yard effort that was bound for his top left hand corner.
Just past the hour mark and Greenock were awarded a stone wall penalty when Neil Rankin was hauled to the ground at a corner kick, with the referee no more than 5 yards from it. Postal player protested, but this changed nothing. Gary Loughran stepped up again and powerfully buried his effort low into the keepers bottom right hand corner.
Greenock had now got over there slow start to the 2nd half and began to dominate again as a so far spirited Postal began to lose there shape. With 75 minutes on the clock the lead was increased again when Rankin sent and inch perfect cross for Gordon Smith to met 12 yards out and fire into the keeper bottom left hand corner with his right peg.
McKenzie again had to be alert to another shot from distance that was headed towards his top left hand corner, but it was Greenock still looking more likely to score more. Malky McDonald almost opened his account for the season when he headed narrowly wide from 10 yards out, but he didn't have long to wait. From a Postal attack Greenock broke quickly and some great 1-touch passing from Smith and Loughran sent McDonald clean through from the half way line. McDonald calmly rounded the keeper and rolled into the net to make it 4-0
Greenock could and probably should have added to this score line but it finished 4-0 and Greenock have to be happy with the points, albeit against what looked like a severely depleted Postal side.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, Gilmour, McAllister, McColgan, Rankin, McCarn, McKellar (Smith 60), Burden (Anderson 75) Loughran, McClure (McDonald 70)
Goals: J. McClure, G. Loughran(pen), G. Smith, M. McDonald
Greenock HSFP 3-2 Kirkintilloch MW
Scottish Cup 2nd Rnd
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 10th October 2009
'Shaun McCarn double brings Greenock Level'
Greenock welcomed Stirling & District side Kirkintilloch MW to the Battery Park for a 2nd round Scottish Cup tie on what turned out to be a pretty good day.
The home side were forced into some changes from the team the previous week with Mick O'Donoghue and Mick McColgan coming in for the missing Neil Rankin and Barry Munro.
The early stages of this game saw the visitors press forward and call the Greenock defence into action as early as the 2nd minute. Greenock settled more into the match in the following 10 minutes but despite creating a few decent attacks the Kirkie keeper was never called into action.
Kirkie had the best early effort and nearly went ahead twice when first an effort from 12 yards out struck McKenzie's left hand post, then they rattled the bar when there tricky wee right winger cut inside and unleashed an effort. Greenock were very lax at this point as Kirkie refused to let them settle into the game. With almost 30 minutes on the clock Greenock gave away a needless free kick out on the left touchline and were duly punished. Kirkie's left back swung in what looked like a deep cross but it found the far top corner to the delight of the visitors.
Greenock pressed the visitors back for a spell but as with the rest of the first half there pressure didn't turn into shots on goal.
HT: 0-1
The second half continued as the first half continued for Greenock when 3 minutes in they conceded a soft 2nd goal. A long ball over the top looked to be harmless but the Kirkie sub striker didn't give it up and muscled his way past the Greenock defence before burying low under McKenzie.
This was a situation that's not unfamiliar to the home side and they began the fight back right away as they pinned Kirkie in there own half. With 60 minutes on the clock Greenock got the stoke of luck they probably needed when Chris Fulton and Shaun McCarn interchanged passes out on the left with the latter sending a looping cross goal wards. Possibly distracted by Mick O'Donoghue's jump in front of him the keepers attempted punch skimmed off his hands and into the net.
Greenock were dominant now, but Kirkie had a chance to regain their 2 goal advantage when another ball over the top let a Kirkie striker in down the right channel. He took his shot on from the edge of the area and it was a relieved Greenock defence who breathed a sigh of relief when it went narrowly wide of McKenzie's right hand post.
Shortly after this let off Greenock drew level and again it involved Shaun McCarn. He fed Gary Loughran who in turn dinked a ball over the Kirkie defence to send McCarn in one on one with the keeper. This time McCarn didn't need any help from the Kirkie keeper as he coolly lobbed the keeper and found the net.
Kirkie were now holding on for a draw, which in all fairness they probably deserved, but Greenock were not showing the generosity they did in the first hour. Gary Loughran had a great opportunity to get Greenock ahead for the 1st time when a great reverse ball from Malky McDonald found him in the box. Loughran however failed to get the ball out of his feet quick enough and the visiting defenders snuffed him out.
With the minutes ticking down and a replay looking likely Greenock got what turned out to be the winner. Again the attack came from the left hand side and this time Ryan Lever released Gary Loughran down the left channel and his inch perfect pass to the back post found Mick McColgan in space and he made no mistake burying his right foot effort behind the Kirkie keeper from 6 yards out for 3-2.
There was still time for more action and the game got a bit heated with 5 minutes to go when a bit of a stramash ensued out on the left touchline. The referee calmed things down before restarting the match. Greenock had to be alert for the final stages of the game but defending well and held onto the scoreline
Overall this was a very poor performance from Greenock, as it took them going 2 down to start making an impact on the game. However the good battling qualities showed in the end to send them into the 3rd round draw.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, Cannon, McAllister, Doyle, McColgan, Fulton (Lever 70), McCarn (Gilmour 75), O'Donoghue, Loughran, McClure (McDonald 60)
Goals: S. McCarn(2), M. McColgan
Inverclyde 0-2 Greenock HSFP
SAFL Premier League
Darroch Park, Gourock
Saturday 3rd October 2009
'Chris McAllister on target for Greenock'
Greenock travelled the short journey to the Darroch park to face local rivals Inverclyde in the first derby match of the season. It was a very unpleasant day for a game of football with gale force winds and driving rain but the park held up ok so the game went ahead.
Greenock went in again with a changed side from the Glencastle game as Cannon, McAllister and Rankin returned to the starting line up, with Brendan Doyle coming in for his 1st start of the season.
Greenock had the advantage of the wind and the hill in the 1st period and early on they set about getting a lead. They didn't have to wait long when 10 minutes in James McClure latched onto a ball over the top from Chris Fulton only to be felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Gary Loughran claimed the responsibilty and he made no mistake as he drilled under the keeper.
With the conditions so bad it was difficult for either side to play any sort of fluent football as the ball spent most of it's time in the air or out the park. Inverclyde almost found an equaliser when they hit the woodwork after McKenzie knocked a deep corner onto the post, but the Greenock defence was alert to clear the danger.
Most of the play was confined to the Inverclyde half, mainly due to the gale force winds. Greenock should have doubled there lead 30 minutes in when Chris McAllister burst between 2 defenders to find himself through on goal, but his final effort was poor and cleared the crossbar.
HT: 1-0
Playing into the wind Greenock changed to a 4-4-2 as the expected onslaught from Inverclyde came. 5 minutes into the 2nd and it was Greenock who doubled there advantage. Greenock found some space on the right and Munro fed McAllister who took a touch before striking goalwards from 25 yards. This seemed to catch the inverclyde keeper unaware as the ball skidded off the greasy turf and into the bottom right hand corner despite a touch from the keeper.
This gave Greenock a cushion but there was still along way to go, and Inverclyde as expected started to apply some concerted pressure. McKenzie had to be alert to deal with a couple of efforts from outside his box but he dealt with them confortably. Greenock were still looking dangerous on the counter attack and they had a strong appeal for a second penalty turned down McClure again was brought down in the box but the referee waved it away.
McKenzie then pulled off a great low reaction save when an Inverclyde player found space in the Greenock box 10 yards out. Most of the pressure was on Greenock but again they created another guilt edged chance when munro was freed down the right wing. He drilled an inch perfect cross to McClure at the back post but a last ditch save by the keeper denied McClure a goal his play probably deserved.
The battle continued mainly in the Greenock half for the remainder of the game but the Greenock defended well as a unit from front to back and survived the onslaught.
Overall this was a great 3 points to get in a match Greenock usually toil in, and on a day that was far from suited to football.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, Cannon, McAllister, Doyle, Munro, Rankin(Burden 70), Fulton, McCarn(O'Donoghue 70), Loughran(Smith 75), McClure
Goals: G.Loughran(pen), C.McAllister
Glencastle Sparta 1-3 Greenock HSFP
SAFL Premier League
Toryglen Football Centre, Glasgow
Saturday 26th September 2009
'Gary Loughran Double helps Greenock take the points'
It was back to league duty for Greenock as they travelled to the Southside of Glasgow to face a struggling Glencastle Sparta who had lost 19 goals in their 3 league games so far. The match was supposed to be getting played at Cathkin Park but when the Greenock boys arrived the park hadn't been lined. Glencastle managed to secure a 3G park at the nearby Toryglen Football centre so the match went ahead.After last weeks home defeat to Busby the Greenock management rang the changes. It was once again 3-4-3. McKenzie was again in goal, with a back 3 of Anderson, Jamieson and Gilmour. McColgan and Munro were deployed out wide with Fulton and McCarn in the middle. The front 3 remained the unchanged trio of McClure, Loughran and Smith.
In the opening exchanges Greenock had a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring. First a great cross field pass from Munro found McClure at the back post, but after a good first touch he drew his effort wide of the keeper right hand post. Minutes later McClure again had an opportunity to score when he found space in the box but his effort this time went high.
Greenock were made to pay for the missed opportunities shortly after when Glencastle took the lead. The ball was played down the Glencastle right. The midfielder worked a couple of yards for himself and sent a speculative effort goal wards. Unfortunately for Greenock the effort found McKenzie's top left hand corner.
Greenock tried to respond to this and both Smith and Loughran had effort that were dealt with comfortably by the Sparta keeper. Glencastle then had 2 great opportunities to double their advantage. 1st a corner found an unmarked Sparta player on the 6 yard line but his effort cleared the bar. Then there captain worked his way into the box from a tight angel but McKenzie was quick off the mark to block his goal bound effort.
Greenock again started to press the Sparta defence back and with 35 minutes on the clock the equaliser arrived. Barry Munro picked the ball up out on the left, skipped past his marker and squared an inch perfect ball across the 6-yard line for Gordon Smith to tuck home.
HT: 1-1
The 2nd half was one-way traffic as Greenock pinned their hosts back. It took only 10 minutes for Greenock to get there 2nd. Persistent play from McColgan, saw him skipped past a couple of players and he put enough pressure on the keeper to make him spill the ball into the path of Gary Loughran and he happily drilled the ball into the net.
Greenock were now looking threatening, and Smith passed up a good opportunity to double his tally for the day when a header inside from Loughran gave him a sight of goal but he screwed his effort wide of the keeper left hand post. Smith then had an even better chance to finish this game off when he got his head on a Neil Rankin cross but from 6 yards out it found the side netting.
Glencastle were fighting for everything still and Chris Fulton had a couple of efforts charged down in the box.
It took until 10 minutes from time to finally get the killer 3rd goal. The ball found it's way to Gary Loughran at the left hand corner of the box and he didn't hesitate in smashing his effort into the keeper's bottom right hand corner.
The game finished that way, and despite it not being the most inspired performance from Greenock it's 3 points on the board
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Anderson, Jamieson, Gilmour, Munro(Burden 75), McColgan, Fulton, McCarn(McAllister 84), Smith, Loughran, McClure(Rankin 70)
Goals: G.Smith, G.Loughran(2)
Greenock HSFP 1-2 Busby
Centenary Cup 2nd Round
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 19th September 2009
'Ryan Lever Penalty not enough for Greenock'
Greenock welcomed Premier One outfit Busby to the Battery Park for this 2nd round Centenary Trophy match.
For the 3rd week on the trot Greenock fielded the same starting line-up after two good performances away to Aikenhead and at home to Port Glasgow OBU.
The early exchanges of this match warned Greenock that this was going to be a tough tie as Busby settled the quicker of the 2 sides. The first good opportunity of the match came the way of Busby when good play down there right side saw the ball worked to the by-line and cross to the back stick where the big Striker could only knock over with the goal gaping.
Greenock settled a bit after this but it was Busby who again created a good chance to take the lead when a good passing move involving 4 or 5 of there players resulted in another effort from the big striker but again his effort cleared the crossbar. Greenock had several forays into the Busby box but the goalkeeper was rarely threatened.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Greenock got the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot after Mick O'Donoghue was caught in the box for a definite penalty. Ryan Lever assumed responsibility and coolly slotted his effort low to the keepers left.
HT: 1-0
The 2nd half ran a similar course to the first with neither side dominating, as the game became a bit bogged down. Greenock created a couple of half chances to double there lead, with the best of them falling to James McClure who stepped inside his marker inside the box only to see his shot well saved.
On 65 minutes Busby got a deserved equaliser and it came from a corner kick. The ball was floated to the back post and the Busby sub that had only just arrived on the park rose highest to header home via McKenzie's right hand post.
Greenock went on the attack after this and created probably there best chance of the game. Stephen Burden picked the ball up deep in his own half, skipped past his marker and drove to the by-line. His delightful chip to the back post Found the onrushing Mick O'Donoghue who met it well and hit the target, but the big Busby keeper flew across his goal to pull off a tremendous save to keep the scores level.
With time running out the game looked destined for the dreaded penalty shoot out but Busby had different ideas. The centre mid picked the ball up 40 yards from goal and with no challenge forthcoming he strode on and hit a rasping left foot drive that found McKenzie's top right hand corner giving him no chance.
With only 2 minutes left to play Busby held out for what was probably a deserved victory against a lacklustre Greenock side.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, McAllister, Cannon, Rankin(Munro 70), Burden(McColgan 70), Lever(Fulton 65), O'Donoghue , Smith, Loughran, McClure
Goals: R.Lever(pen)
Port Glasgow OBU 2-10 Greenock HSFP
Centenary Cup Section
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 12th September 2009
'Hat-Trick and couple of assists for Smiddy'
The Battery Park was the venue for this Centenary Cup tie as the OBU's home park at Parklea had been called off on 2 occasions due to the adverse weather. Greenock needed a point from the game in order to progress out of the section but they ended up deservedly getting all 3.
It was a sun soaked Battery Park which greeted both teams on what was a perfect day for a game. Greenock started with the same starting 11 as last week and the same 3-4-3 formation. McKenzie took his place in goal with a back 3 of McAllister, Cannon and Jamieson. Burden started on the right of midfield with Rankin on the left, Lever and O'Donoghue started in the middle. The front 3 were Smith, Loughran and McClure.
Greenock were on the front foot from the off. After a couple of close calls from Loughran, Greenock opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Loughran gathered the ball out on the left before sending a cross into the area which Smith met with his head, the ball went in off the upright to put Greenock 1 up. The lead was short lived however. From an OBU goal-kick the keeper belted the ball deep into the Greenock half, the defence were caught out from the kick and the OBU striker managed to get his foot onto the ball in the Greenock box, the ball looped up into the air where his strike partner managed to connect with the ball with his head, diverting it over McKenzie and into the corner of the net. 1-1. The next 10 minutes were fairly even before Burden created some room for himself down the right, he cut into the box and hit over a fine low cross to where Lever was waiting to knock into the net with his right leg on 25 minutes. 2-1. As soon as Greenock regained the lead they weren't going to let it slip for a 2nd time. Lever had a header from a Burden corner saved by the OBU goalie but the 3rd goal arrived soon after on 30 minutes when a nice 1 touch move made it's way to Smith on the right, he spun his marker before sending a great cross into the area which Loughran met with his head, he guided the ball over the keeper and over the line. 3-1. The 4th arrived when the ball broke to Burden on the edge of the area, he struck the ball into the ground with his right peg and thus in off the post to make it 4-1 on the 33 minute mark. Loughran then nearly notched his 2nd with his head from a McClure cross but his header cannoned off the bar and over to safety. The 5th did arrive on 40 minutes when O'Donoghue bustled his way into the area and sent a header goalwards from another Smith cross, the keeper got a hand on it but O'Donoghue out jumped his marker for a second time to head in his 1st of the afternoon. 5-1. The half was drawing to an end when Greenock made it 6-1. McClure hit a corner in from the left to the back post where Smith was waiting to bullet a header into the top corner to give Greenock a 5 goal advantage at the break.
HT 6-1
Greenock looked hungry for more goals and soon got their 7th when Rankin hit an inch perfect through ball to Smith, he ran away from his marker before drawing the keeper off his line and knocking a right footed effort into the keeper's left hand corner of the net. 7-1. Greenock were playing some nice 1 touch football and were keeping the ball for long periods. From one of those many good moves, McClure created some room for himself on the right hand side of the penalty area, he looked up and laid the ball on a plate for the onrushing Loughran, without breaking his stride he curled a right footed shot into the keeper's left hand corner from the edge of the area. 8-1. On 60 minutes Loughran made way for McCarn, who took up a position in the middle of the park as Greenock went with a 3-5-2 formation. A further 2 substitutions took place when Munro and McColgan replaced Lever and Rankin on 70 minutes. Greenock continued to create chances but failed to score until the 75th minute when McClure smacked a fine effort into the keepers bottom left hand corner of the net for the goal that his overall play deserved on the day. 9-1. In a rare foray into the Greenock half The OBU made it 9-2 when their centre-forward caught the ball with his right foot, he caught the ball with the top of his foot and the ball floated up and over the outstretched hand of McKenzie and into the top left hand corner. O'Donoghue then finished the scoring for the day in the 86th minute when he got on the end of a McColgan cross to make it 10-2.
Greenock deserved the victory and could and should have scored even more..
Greenock secured 9 points out of 9 to top the section and make it into the 2nd round where they will play Busby for a place in the quarter finals.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, McAllister, Cannon, Rankin(Munro 60), Burden, Lever(McColgan 60), O'Donoghue , Smith, Loughran(McCarn 70), McClure
Goals: G. Smith(3), G.Loughran(2), M.O'Donoghue(2), J.McClure, R.Lever and S.Burden
Aikenhead Th 1-1 Greenock HSFP
SAFL Premier League
Blairdardie Playing Fields
Saturday 5th September 2009
'James McClure heads Greenock's equaliser'
Greenock made the short journey over the Erskine bridge to to face last year West Cup finalists Aikenhead Thistle in a Premier league match. Aikenhead would be coming in confident after securing 2 victories in there opening 2 games, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Greenock were forced into 2 changes from the previous week with Chris Fulton and Connor Dow unavailable due to work and Holiday. Craig McLaren, Brendan Doyle, Malky McDonald and Andy Anderson were also unavailable for a variety of reasons.
The pitch at Blairdardie is quite tight so Greenock started off 3-4-3 with Mick O'Donoghue and James McClure slotting into the starting 11.
The home side started at pace and for the first 15-20 minutes had Greenock on the back foot. 10 minutes in Greenock had Colin McKenzie to thank for keeping the score level 1st when a deep cross was headed goalbound but McKenzie made a fine stop. Aikenhead were looking dangerous down there left hand side and Greenock got off the hook a couple of times when crosses were just out of reach of the Aikenhead strike force.
Aikenhead did however take the lead 20 minutes in when a corner from the left found the head of the big striker and this time McKenzie was helpless as it nestled in his right hand corner. Greenock settled a bit after this, but McKenzie was again called into action when he saved well with his feet from the number 9.
Greenock 1st chance almost brought an equaliser when Gordon Smith got his head onto a Neil Rankin cross only to see it come off the keepers right hand post and straight into the keepers hands. Greenock were pressing on a bit now and Gary Loughran had an effort that went narrowly wide.
5 minutes before half time Greenock levelled that scores. Aikenhead blocked a couple of efforts from Smith and O'Donoghue before it broke wide to Loughran. He dinked a perfect cross to the back post from James McClure and finished powerfully with his head back across the keeper.
HT:1-1
Greenock started the 2nd a bit brighter, and had the advantage of the wind at the backs this time.
The game was now open with both teams pushing forward, but it was Greenock keeper Colin McKenzie who was the busier of the keepers. Early on he tipped a goal bound header over after a corner from the Aikenhead right.
James McClure almost doubled his own tally midway through the half in spectacular fashion when he met a deep cross from the left 1st time only to see it cannon off the Aikenhead bar and away to safety. Aikenhead were looking very dangerous from set pieces and Colin McKenzie had to be alert on more than one occasion to deny the impressive Aikenhead front line.
As the half wore on Greenock started getting some joy down there right hand side through substitutes Munro and McColgan. Between them they put several dangerous balls across the Aikenhead 6 yard box, the best of these just out of McLure's reach.
With time almost up Greenock almost clinched the 3 points when a low drilled cross from Munro was met full on by Shaun McCarn. The goal bounds effort struck the defender on the line who couldn't have known much about it.
The referee blew for full time and both teams had to settle for a point apiece after a hard fought match.
Overall this was a good point for Greenock away to a very impressive and hard working Aikenhead side, who will not drop many points at home this season.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, McAllister, Cannon, Rankin, Burden(Munro 65), Lever(McCarn 70), O'Donoghue , Smith, Loughran(McColgan 75), McClure
Goal: J.McClure
Subs not used: Gilmour, McEwan
Greenock HSFP 2-1 Oban Saints
SAFL Premier League
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 29th August 2009
'Injury time winner from Gordon Smith'
Greenock welcomed a high flying Oban Saints who had notched 9 goals without reply in there 1st 2 outings, to a very windy Battery park, for Greenock's 1st league match of the new season.
Greenock went into the match minus influential captain Craig McLaren who suffered a broken ankle the previous week as well as Malky McDonald, but welcomed back Chris McAllister for his 1st game of the season. Otherwise it was a full squad for the management to choose from
The opening stages of this match saw the Oban side set up in an attacking formation playing 3-4-3 against Greenock's 3-5-2. The game started off at a reasonable pace and Greenock were tested early on with a succession of long throws from Oban's Willie Gemmell but they managed to protect Colin McKenzie's goal. Greenock should have taken the lead 12 minuted in when good play between Fulton, Dow and Rankin saw the latter thread a great ball in behind the Oban defence for Gary Loughran to run onto, but he pulled his effort wide of the target from 12 yards out.
Midway through the half Oban had there best chance of the match so far when a deep corner was knocked back across the 6 yard line and Craig McEwan headed goal bound, but was denied by a flying save from McKenzie and Connor Dow was on hand to complete the clearance.
HT: 0-0
Oban started the better of the side in the 2nd period and had a good opportunity minutes in when Allan McKay headed wide from 8 yards out. Greenock settled a bit more into the game after this and passed up a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring when 1st Gordon Smith failed to connect with a Ryan Lever cross then Stephen Burden had an effort that went narrowly wide.
As the match continued gaps started appearing and twice James Cannon made timely challenges in the box as the Oban strikers were in on goal. With 10 minutes on the clock the opening goal eventually arrived and it came from the visitors. They broke down their right hand side and a neat cutback was met powerfully by Allan McKay and his effort sailed over McKenzie and into the net. Oban celebrated this goal on the touchline as it looked like being a winning one, but the Greenock side had other ideas.
Greenock as you'd expect in these circumstances threw caution to the wind and it paid off 5 minutes later. Ryan Lever delivered a free kick from the right and Michael O'Donoghue rose to direct his header into the keepers right hand corner to level things.
Over the piece a draw would probably have been a fair result, but the home side kept pressing for a winner and it duly arrived in injury time. Greenock won a succesion of corners and on the 3rd attempt Gordon Smith was on hand 6 yards out to divert home Shaun McCarn powerfully delivered corner from the right, and this time it was the Greenock players turn to celebrate.
Oban barely got to restart the game before the the referee blew for full time.
Overall this was a great result for the home side, snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat to put there first 3 points on the board for season 2009/10.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Jamieson, McAllister, Cannon, Rankin(McCarn 75), Burden, Lever, Dow(McClure 75), Fulton(O'Donoghue 70), Smith, Loughran
Goals: M.O'Donoghue, G.Smith
Rolls Royce EK 1-3 Greenock HSFP
Centenary Cup Section
Toryglen Football Centre, Glasgow
Saturday 22nd August 2009
'Captain Mclaren notches again before suffering a broken ankle'
Greenock went on there travels for there travels for the 2nd match of the Centenary trophy with Rolls Royce EK the opposition. Due to there normal park getting called off on the Friday the match was switched to the 3G park at the Toryglen Football complex.
The game opened at a frantic pace and it was RREK who got into there stride quicker as there midfield 3 started dominating proceedings. Despite the early dominance in possession the best chances came the way of Greenock When 1st Mick McColgan almost benefited from a bit of a defensive lapse but his effort when narrowly wide. McColgan then got in down the right and his cross found Gordon Smith but his effort also went narrowly wide.
With being dominated in midfield they reverted from the 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 and came more into the game. The opener arrived 25 minutes in and it was a piece of magic from Gary Loughran. He nipped the ball over the head of a RREK player 25 yards out before volleying a left footed effort high into the keeper left hand corner.
This lead did not last long when 5 minutes later Good play out on the right hand side by the RREK winger saw him create space for himself before delivering an inch perfect cross that was headed home from 6 yards out giving Colin McKenzie no chance.
HT:1-1
The early exchanges in the second half were pretty even as both teams probed for a 2nd.
It was the visitors who managed to regain the lead however 10 minutes into the 2nd half. Craig McLaren was on hand to head his 2nd goal in 2 games when he rose highest at the back door from a well delivered corner.
After this RREK started to press put pressure on the
For the next 15 or 20 minutes the Greenock defence had to fend off concerted pressure, and were lucky on a couple of occasions when poor finishing from RREK coupled with some brave defending and good goalkeeping kept Greenock's lead intact.
James McClure entered the fray with 20 minutes remaining after Gary Loughran pulled up, and he made a telling contribution quickly. Within 5 minutes of arriving McClure pick the ball up 40 yards from goal and played slide rule pass through for strike partner Smith. Smith rounded the keeper and slotted home to settle this game and nerves after a nervy 15-20 minutes. RREK kept trying to press but
Overall this was a great victory against a very impressive RREK side, but it came at a price with the loss of Captain Craig McLaren
FT: 3-1
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Anderson, Jamieson, McLaren(Gilmour 70), Cannon(Burden 65), Rankin, Lever, Dow, McColgan, Smith, Loughran(McClure 75)
Subs not Used: McEwan, McCarn
Goals: G.Loughran, C.McLaren, G.Smith
Greenock HSFP 4-0 Centre AFC
Centenary Cup Section
Battery Park, Greenock
Saturday 15th August 2009
'Debut Double for Gary Loughran'
Greenock kicked off the 2009/10 season with a home tie in the Centenary cup against Premier One opponents Centre AFC, at a very windy Battery Park. As is usual for most teams this time of the year Greenock went in missing several players due to holidays, suspensions and injuries.
There were competitive debuts for Sean Jamieson, Neil Rankin, Connor Dow and Gary Loughran with the returning Colin McKenzie making his debut 2nd time around.
This match started off in bright fashion and early on the visitors had a great opportunity when pacey striker Ross Miller was put in down the right channel. He rounded Colin McKenzie but lost his footing at the vital moment and the chance was gone. Greenock began to settle into the game and it quickly became evident that Gary Loughran would have a major say in this game. The opener arrived 15 minutes in, when good play on the left hand side involving Rankin and Munro released Loughran and he made no mistake burying into the keeper bottom left hand corner.
This settled the home side and they began to cause the Centre defence more problems, and Barry Munro was unlucky to see a powerful left foot drive strike the keepers left hand upright. 5 minutes before half time the lead was doubled. From a Gary Loughran corner Craig McLaren was on hand to head into the keepers top left hand corner from 12 yards out.
HT:2-0
Greenock continued to dominate in the early exchanges in the 2nd half, and passed up a couple of decent opportunities early on when the keeper saved a Loughran drive from the edge of the box. Loughran was finding space every time Greenock went forward and he doubled his tally for the day when strike partner Gordon Smith teed him up, and from 8 yards out he drilled under the keeper.
At this point Greenock were creating chance after chance, and after a powerful run forward from Captain Craig McLaren he again laid in Loughran but this time his snap shot crashed off the bar and away to safety.
Gordon Smith almost got him self on the score sheet when he went in one on one with the keeper, but a good save tipped his effort onto the bar and out for a corner. With 15 minutes of the match remaining Greenock found a fourth. Again good work by Smith in the box saw him lay off to Stephen Burden and without breaking stride he bulleted powerfully into the keepers right hand corner.
Greenock created a few more opportunities to increase there lead but failed to take them. With almost the last kick of the ball Centre almost claimed a consolation goal, but the effort from the edge of the box was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Colin McKenzie, to preserve a well deserved clean sheet.
Overall this was a good start to the new season from a new look High School side. Solid performances all round and a special mention to the back 3 of Anderson, McLaren and Jamieson, ably helped by keeper McKenzie to secure that opening day clean sheet.
Greenock HSFP Team: McKenzie, Anderson, Jamieson, McLaren, Burden, Rankin, Fulton (Doyle 65), Dow(McColgan 75), Munro, Smith, Loughran
Subs not Used: McEwan, Cannon, Lever
Goals: G.Loughran(2), C.McLaren, S.Burden