Jimmy Marshall Trophy 2nd Round
Kilpatrick 2-3 Campbeltown Boys

CAMPBELTOWN Boys battled their way to an impressive cup win over Kilpatrick when they travelled to north Glasgow on Saturday.

A John McCallum double along with a superb Derek McCormick strike earned the Boys the win over the side who currently sit at the top of Premier Division One, a full division higher than the one in which the local team currently ply their trade.

Playing on the superb artificial surface at the West of Scotland Science Centre, the opening exchanges were fast and furious as neither side was given time to settle on the ball.

The hosts enjoyed a better start but some solid defending from the Boys restricted them to mainly long-range efforts before the men from the Wee Toon took the lead with their first real chance 15 minutes in.

Robert McGarrie’s lofted through ball caused panic amongst the Kilpatrick ranks, leading to central defender McBride attempting to head the ball back to his own goalkeeper.

Unfortunately for him the goalkeeper was on his way out to collect the ball and was left helpless as he watched it bounce past him to leave McCallum with a gaping target for a goal he couldn’t miss.

The Boys’ lead didn’t last long though as within two minutes Kilpatrick were level.

Greene was allowed to turn onto his preferred right foot on the edge of the box and his shot swerved beyond the flailing arm of Boys goalkeeper Scott MacBrayne.

This goal signalled the start of some sustained pressure from the home side and only some fine goalkeeping from MacBrayne, combined with poor finishing, kept the score level at half time.

The pick of MacBrayne’s saves came when he plunged to his left to parry Foy’s curling drive round the post.

The Boys began the second half knowing that they would need to get some possession if they were to take anything from the game and began to push higher up the pitch to deny Kilpatrick the space they had been enjoying since their equaliser.

The plan worked a treat and the sides were much more closely matched in the second 45.

The Boys made the most of their renewed competitiveness by taking the lead for the second time 15 minutes into the half and again it was McCallum who was the scorer.

A slick passing move involving McGarrie, McCormick, the two McCallums, Peter and John, released left back Iain Galbraith and his left-footed cross was inch perfect for John McCallum to beat his marker to the ball and send a fine header into the goalkeeper’s bottom right corner.

The goal inspired confidence in the Boys and they enjoyed some neat and tidy possession for around 10 minutes until Kilpatrick equalised for the second time.

For the first time in the match the defence hesitated as Doherty’s long ball found McKinnon in the penalty area and the striker kept his cool to slot the ball past MacBrayne.

However, it was now the Boys’ turn to go straight up the pitch and score again.

Peter McCallum fed McCormick and the energetic midfielder strode towards the edge of the penalty area before firing an unstoppable dipping drive across goalkeeper, who was left clutching at thin air as the ball flew into his top right corner.

McCormick, who has never been described as a regular goalscorer, did a good job of hiding his surprise as he accepted the plaudits from his delighted team mates!

With over 20 minutes left on the clock the match was by no means over and again the Boys were grateful to their hosts as they passed up several chances as the game edged towards the 90 minute mark.

Again MacBrayne held firm, helped in no small way by his back four, who made several blocks and tackles to repel wave after wave of attacks.

As their desperation increased, Kilpatrick were lucky not to be caught on the counter attack when their keeper almost made a hash of dealing with McGarrie’s low drive in stoppage time before the Boys heard the welcome sound of the referee’s whistle for the final time.

For sheer effort and character the Boys deserved their win on Saturday and the result sees them into the quarter finals.

The challenge now will be to carry their application into the second half of the league season and climb away from the lower reaches of the table.

They can begin to do so when they return to action after the festive break with a home game against Rolls Royce EK on Saturday January 5.