Greenock HSFP Black 3 vs 3 Johnstone Burgh

Dunterlie Park on a fine day for the ERSDA League Cup Final, and what a final it turned out to be.

The game started evenly, with half chances at both ends, before Lucas was bundled over in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Zak F stepped up, but his penalty smashed off the bar. Really unlucky.

Johnstone Burgh then started to dominate going forward, with their left winger causing us all sorts of problems. After going close with one chance, he gave them the lead from a ball over the top, nipping in behind and seeing his shot trickle in at the far post. 0-1.

The High School responded quickly though, and within a few minutes we were level again. An Ashton corner was picked up by Kieran, who did brilliantly to turn his defender and get a powerful shot away in a packed box. The keeper got a hand to it, but there was too much power on it to keep it out. 1-1.

The game became a bit scrappy after that, with neither side really able to get their foot on the ball.

Johnstone Burgh then took the lead again just before half time, when a through ball took a deflection off a High School defender and fell kindly for their striker, who finished low into the bottom corner. A tough time to concede. 1-2.

HT 1-2

Johnstone Burgh started the second half stronger and were pushing hard for the next goal, which eventually came. Their big right back made a strong run to the byline and cut it back dangerously. Shammy got a hand to it, the first shot hit the bar, but their forward reacted well to head home from close range. 1-3.

That left the High School with a mountain to climb, but the boys dug deep and kept trying to find a way back into the game. Mure had a good chance go just wide, and Lucas went close after a strong run, forcing a good save from the keeper.

With around 10 minutes left, Taylor launched a long throw into the box towards Lucas, who was again bundled over for another penalty. Ashton stepped up this time and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-3.

The High School were really pushing now, but Johnstone were defending well and clearing their lines.

Then, with a minute left on the clock, Johnstone Burgh were awarded a penalty after an unfortunate handball in the box. A goal there and it was surely game over.

But Shammy had other ideas.

A terrific save, which he held, gave us one last lifeline. From his long kick forward, Lucas got in behind, drove into the box and cut it back for Mure to tap home from a few yards out.

Absolute scenes. 3-3.

There were still four minutes of stoppage time to play, and the High School almost found a winner. A stramash in the box saw Mure’s shot cleared off the line, before Bob had one last chance with a volley from 25 yards that flew inches past the post. So close.

So the game went to penalties.

The High School found themselves up against it again when Taylor’s penalty was well saved, but Johnstone missed their third off the post before Shammy produced another brilliant save with their fourth.

Lyle, Jay and Zak F all scored theirs, before Ashton stepped up to bury the winning penalty. GHS win 4-2 on pens.

Honestly, I still can’t believe they won that. Genuinely unbelievable. Fairytale stuff.

The boys showed incredible fight, character and a never-say-die attitude. At 3-1 down, with Johnstone getting a penalty in the final minute, it looked well out of reach, but they never gave up. I’ve never known anything like it.

A season, and a final, the boys will never forget. Unreal.

Goals:

Kieran ??

Ashton (pen) ??

Mure ??

Coaches MotM: Shammy ??

An unbelievable penalty save quickly followed with big kickout for the equaliser, and another brilliant save in the shootout. Huge moments from him.

Ref’s MotM: Bob ??

Another captain’s performance from the wee man. Threw himself at everything and played through an injury in the last 10 minutes to help the team. A warrior.