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Campbeltown Pupils
welcomed the national select to Kintyre Park,
Campbeltown yesterday (25th July 2009) on a
glorious summer's day as part of their 90th
anniversary celebrations this year and a healthy
crowd were entertained to wonderful spectacle
for the amateur game.
Sporting their new
look black kit sponsored by local company
McFadyen Contractors the local side had their
backs to the wall from the start with the
national side starting the match in confident
mood. Neil McKay in the Pupils goal was
called into action a number of times as Scotland
pressurised for the opener. However,
credit to the Pupils who defended well and
showed the commitment needed for the season
ahead.
Against the run of
the play the Campbeltown side opened the scoring
with a sucker punch counter attack. Alan
Sinclair, who previously showed he could cause
the national side problem outstripped the
Scotland defence on the right flank with
blistering pace to send in a low cross which was
met first by Paul Grumoli who unleashed an
unstoppable right footed drive into the corner
of the net.
As expected
Scotland upped the ante and threw everything at
the Pupils but they were denied by determined
defending and solid goal keeping by Neil McKay
and held out to lead 1-0 at half time against
the very cream of amateur football in Scotland.
Unfortunately that
lead was lost in the first five minutes of the
second half when Scotland equalised from a
corner. The number 4 met the corner
unchallenged to bullet the ball past the
helpless McKay in the goal. As the pace of
the game died in the heat so did chances with
neither side really creating clear cut chances
for the next twenty minutes.
Scotland made it
2-1 with fifteen minutes to go with a close
range strike and then thought they had ended the
game with a third only for it to be ruled
offside. The game finished 2-1 and the
local side can be proud of their performance
against a very good national side. Some of
the football from the visitors was a joy to
watch with Scotland's number 6 a real stand out
with his end to end running and elegant touches
in the midfield. Everyone can be proud of
their performances but stand out players for the
local side were Neil McKay in goal, Grant Grant
in defence and Alan Sinclair who showed
incredible pace early in the game. Paul
Grumoli can also relish a fine goal.
Campbeltown
Pupils would like to thank they SAFA for
sending down the national side to celebrate
the club's 90th year in football. A special
thanks to secretary Mr Hugh Knapp for all
his work and, everyone involved in
organising Saturday's game.
Below are some
photos from yesterday's game. Copy
right of
www.visitkintyre.info
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