Pupils celebrate away win against Glasgow side

Bainbridge missed an opportunity to double the lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after he was brought down, with the talented young BSC keeper saving his effort with a fantastic diving save.

The cornerstone of the victory, however, was a disciplined performance from the defence of Alasdair Ferguson, Lee Allen, Michael McKinlay and Craig Lamont. They restricted the home side to very few chances and won their duels with no-nonsense defending, protecting goalkeeper coach Reid Anderson who was once again deputising between the sticks.

The lead was deservedly extended in the 62nd-minute when Allen scored with a well-placed header from Ryan Shields’ great delivery from a corner kick.

BSC had their best spell midway through the half as the crossbar was rattled from a free kick, and the same player missed a penalty after Allen was spotted tugging his jersey. The penalty effort was scuffed past the post, much to the Pupils’ delight.

It was another good performance from Ryan Johnston who tormented the BSC full-back with his pace and excellent crossing.

Bainbridge grazed the upright with a header and young substitute Daniel McEachran had a volley effort that just went over the crossbar as the Pupils finished the game strongly.

The game, which had been played in a mainly sporting manner, exploded in the final minute after another young Pupils substitute, Rio Arkell, took the ball into the corner area to help run the clock down. 

A BSC player took his frustration out by lashing out and kicking Arkell, which started a confrontation with players and benches becoming involved. 

The referee red-carded the BSC player for violent conduct before blowing the whistle for full-time.

Two young players who deserve a mention are Lorne Paterson and Euan Dott, who performed very well despite nursing injuries as the Pupils were stretched to the limit for this bottom-of-the-division clash.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Pupils welcome Saltcoats Victoria FC to Kintyre Park for a league fixture. In the reverse match earlier in the season, it ended in a 2-2 draw.