Three goals and three points for travelling Pupils U17s

Finnart 0

 

Pupils YFC 3

 

GDYFL – 2005s/U17s 

 

As is often the case after a long journey, it took the Campbeltown Pupils 2005s (under-17s) a good 20 minutes to settle in to the game when they travelled to Glasgow last Sunday, for the second time in eight days.

 

The opening half of the first 45 minutes was a cagey affair, with attacks breaking down as the Pupils tried to find their legs.

 

Finnart had their moments too but were met by a strong, resilient defence of Ryan Harding, Josh Arkell, Kyle Paterson and Finlay Kerr, with Lorne Paterson in goal.

 

Calum Ellis found the breakthrough in the 29th minute as he was sent clear following excellent play by Ruaridh Green.

 

Ellis rounded the keeper and made it 1-0 from a tight angle.

 

The visitors started to dominate play as the midfield of Green, Scott Graham, Kyle Danson and Ryan Shields gained control of the game, played at Glasgow Green on a hot sunny day.

 

With five minutes of the half remaining, Stuart Phillips, partnering Ellis up front, made a clever run to peel the Finnart defence away and allow Green to send Ellis on his way once again, with the number three making no mistake again to make it 2-0.

 

Finnart rallied round once more and had their fair share of spells of pressure at the start of the second half but, once again, the team found it difficult as the Pupils midfield and defence stood strong, equally determined not to lose a goal.

 

The introduction of Ethan Parker and some tactical changes in the midfield allowed the Pupils to dominate once again and soon Ellis made it 3-0.

 

Composed play in the midfield by Graham sent Ellis through on goal once more and the Pupils number three bagged his hat-trick and 42nd goal of an impressive season for the Ardshiel Hotel-sponsored under-17s.

 

Scott Oman made a welcome return to goal as he was introduced with 23 minutes remaining.

 

Shields was unlucky not to score but was ruled offside and the Pupils eased to three points.

 

'This was an excellent win for the Pupils, especially away from home, and every player can be very proud of their performance,' said a team spokesperson.

 

'Captain Josh Arkell once again stood up to the mantle and led by example and was named the referee’s man of the match after a towering performance by the central defender.

 

'It has been a good spell of form for the Pupils under-17s since the Easter break, with three wins out of three and only one goal conceded.'

 

This Sunday, the 2005s look forward to a home game as they welcome Cambuslang Rangers to Campbeltown for the first time.

 

This will be a tough test with the South Lanarkshire side in fine form and sitting in 4th place, one spot behind the Pupils.

 

Kick-off is 2pm on the 3G all-weather pitch at Kinloch Green.