In a thrilling encounter at Ferguslie Sports Centre on 3rd August 2025, EKFC 09s Gold emerged victorious with a 5-3 win over Glenvale White in a friendly match that showcased attacking flair and resilience. The match kicked off at 9:15 am, setting the stage for an exciting morning of football.
EKFC 09s Gold lined up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking prowess. Alex Stewart took his position in goal, while a back four comprised Cooper Banks on the right, Matthew Henderson and Lewis Sime in central defence, and Mark McGuiness on the left. Andrew Hall played as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking trio ahead of him. On the right, Steve Graham operated as an attacking midfielder, with Matthew Brown in the central attacking role and Stephen Orr on the left. Up front, Shay Christie and Josh Gales formed a dynamic partnership, looking to exploit any gaps in the opposition's defence.
The substitutes for EKFC 09s Gold were not listed, but the starting eleven was more than capable of making an impact on the game.
The match began with an explosive start, as Steve Graham opened the scoring for EKFC 09s Gold just five minutes in. Gales provided a pinpoint header assist, allowing Graham to unleash a stunning right-footed shot that rocketed into the net. However, Glenvale White responded quickly, equalising in the 10th minute with a well-placed effort that caught the EKFC defence off guard.
The visitors found themselves trailing again as Glenvale White struck again in the 20th minute, taking a 2-1 lead and putting EKFC 09s Gold under pressure. Yet, the home side showed their character, and in the 27th minute, Josh Gales converted a penalty, awarded after a foul in the box, with a composed left-footed finish to level the score at 2-2.
As the first half drew to a close, EKFC 09s Gold took the lead just before the break. Shay Christie scored in the 44th minute, finishing off a well-worked team move with a short pass assist from Gales, sending the teams into half-time with a 3-2 advantage for the home side.
The second half commenced with renewed energy, and just five minutes in, Josh Gales found the net again, tapping in a close-range effort with his left foot to extend the lead to 4-2. EKFC 09s Gold appeared to be in control, but Glenvale White refused to back down, scoring their third goal in the 79th minute to narrow the deficit to 4-3.
However, EKFC 09s Gold had the final say in the match. In the 75th minute, Andrew Hall unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike, following a short pass from Gales, to score a screamer that sealed the victory at 5-3.
The match concluded with EKFC 09s Gold celebrating a well-deserved win, with Steve Graham earning the Player of the Match accolade for his influential performance. This friendly encounter not only provided valuable experience but also highlighted the attacking potential of EKFC 09s Gold as they look ahead to future challenges.
