In a thrilling friendly encounter at Battery Park on 3rd August 2025, Greenock HSFP Black showcased their attacking prowess, overwhelming Cambuslang Red Star with a resounding 9-3 victory. The match kicked off at 11:00 am, with referee Craig McCormick overseeing the action.
Greenock HSFP Black lined up in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Liam Shambach took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Sam Lyons on the right, Lyle Buchan and Jay Kane in central defence, and Robert Miller on the left. The midfield trio featured Ashton Kerr on the right, Ben O'Brien centrally, and Kieran Boyd on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forward line. Up front, Dylan McAllister and Ethan Lynch operated as left and right forwards respectively, with Zack Weston leading the line as the central striker. The substitutes for the match included Aaron Smith, Taylor Carson, and Murewa Seun-Oremade.
The match began with an early shock for Greenock HSFP Black as Cambuslang Red Star took the lead in the 6th minute. A stunning strike from outside the area found the back of the net, leaving Shambach with little chance to respond. However, the home side quickly regrouped, and just three minutes later, Dylan McAllister levelled the score. An exquisite flick from Weston set him up perfectly, and he finished from close range with his right foot.
Cambuslang Red Star responded with two quick goals, first in the 15th minute and then again in the 25th, both scored from inside the box with right-footed efforts. This put the visitors ahead 3-1, and Greenock HSFP Black found themselves in a precarious position. In a tactical reshuffle, manager made three substitutions in the 26th minute, bringing on Aaron Smith for Ethan Lynch, Taylor Carson for Sam Lyons, and Murewa Seun-Oremade for Ben O'Brien, aiming to inject fresh energy into the team.
The substitutions paid off when Robert Miller converted a penalty in the 34th minute, striking with his left foot to reduce the deficit to 3-2. The first half concluded with Cambuslang Red Star holding onto their slim lead, but Greenock HSFP Black had gained momentum.
The second half saw Greenock HSFP Black come out firing on all cylinders. In the 60th minute, Ashton Kerr scored a spectacular long-range effort, assisted by Aaron Smith, which sent the home crowd into raptures. Just three minutes later, Kerr struck again, this time from a direct free kick, levelling the score at 3-3.
The home side continued their relentless assault, and in the 64th minute, Murewa Seun-Oremade found the net with a well-placed shot inside the box, assisted by Kerr's long pass. The floodgates had opened, and Seun-Oremade scored again in the 72nd minute, finishing from close range after a flick from Smith.
Zack Weston added to the tally in the 74th minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake to score with his right foot, making it 6-3. In the 75th minute, Kieran Boyd replaced Weston, as Greenock HSFP Black looked to maintain their momentum. Boyd made an immediate impact, scoring two goals in quick succession. The first came in the 77th minute, a tap-in from a cross delivered by Ethan Lynch, followed by another close-range finish in the 79th minute, assisted by Seun-Oremade.
As the final whistle blew, Greenock HSFP Black celebrated a remarkable 9-3 victory, with Ashton Kerr earning the Player of the Match accolade for his outstanding performance, including a goal and an assist. The match served as a testament to the attacking flair and resilience of Greenock HSFP Black, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
