Campbelton Pupils 4 Port Glasgow Hibs 2
The warm-up to
the new season continued last Saturday when
the McFadyen Contractors sponsored Pupils
played host to old advisories Port Glasgow
Hibs. As anticipated, the game wasa
competitive affair, with both sides prepared
to raise its game in an effort to gain a
confidence boost before the big picture
begins next week.
The local side started in a confident modd,
stroking the ball around on a carpet-like
surface. A beautifully weighted ball over
the defence by sweeper Grant Grant released
Alan Sinclair, an invitation for the Pupils
wide man to use his electric pace. An
excellent delivery across the box was
gratefully received by Gary Grumoli, who
drove the ball home for a well-worked
opening goal.
At this point the Pupils were well on top;
however, the old enemy complacency had still
to raise its head. Slack play allowed the
visitors to find a foothold in the match, a
loose pass across the box picked up and
steered into the net by the Hibs
centre-forward to level the game. Worse was
to follow as the home lost its composure, a
simple cross to the back post eluding the
defence for Hibs to take the lead with a
simple strike from close-range.
After the high of a fortnight ago against
the national side, the Pupils management
were less than happy with their team's
first-half performance. The aggression
seemed to work, as things got decidedly
better as the game progressed. Gary Grumoli
claimed the equaliser with a well-driven
effot from the edge of the box, his clincal
parting shot finding the bottom corner with
ease.
The tide had turned for the home side; now
in the ascendancy the Pupils began to
dictate the play. Patient approach work was
rewarded when Gary Grumoli was set free
behind the defence, a cool head bringing a
crucial third goal when he steered the ball
past the advancing goalkeeper.
A fourth finsihed the game as a contest,
keeping things in the family brother Paul
Grumoli decided to get into the act with the
goal of the match. A surging run and clever
one-two brought the mid-field dynamo clear,
his finish a sublime chip over the
goalkeeper to earn the applause of an
appreciative home support.
A mixed day for the Pupils, at times
excellent, but still unwilling to keep their
foot on the gas for ninety-minutes. However;
plenty of potential as the season
approaches, although concentration will be a
key factor in the games ahead.
This Saturday
(15th August)
will be the start of the season
for the local side, a game against
Eaglesham at Kintyre Park.
Please note 2pm kick-off.