In a thrilling encounter at Clydeview Academy on 3rd September 2025, Greenock HSFP Black faced Spartinios City in a league match that ended in a narrow 4-3 defeat for the home side. The match kicked off at 7:35pm and saw both teams engage in an intense battle, with Spartinios City ultimately emerging victorious.
Greenock HSFP Black lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for dynamic attacking play. Liam Shambach took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Ben O'Brien on the right, Lyle Buchan and Jay Kane as central defenders, and Robert Miller on the left. The midfield trio featured Sam Lyons on the right, Ashton Kerr in the centre, and Murewa Seun-Oremade on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, Ethan Lynch and Zack Weston occupied the wings, while Kaiden McKinnon led the line as the central striker. The substitutes for the match included Kieran Boyd, Aaron Smith, Taylor Carson, and Dylan McAllister.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as Spartinios City took an early lead in the 8th minute with a stunning goal from outside the area, struck with precision using the right foot. Just three minutes later, they doubled their advantage with another long-range effort, leaving Greenock HSFP Black trailing 2-0 before the game had even settled into a rhythm.
In a bid to regain control, Greenock HSFP Black made two substitutions in the 20th minute, bringing on Kieran Boyd and Aaron Smith for Murewa Seun-Oremade and Ethan Lynch, respectively. This tactical shift appeared to inject some life into the home side, as they began to find their footing.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Kieran Boyd, now on the pitch, scored a spectacular direct free-kick from outside the box, reducing the deficit to 2-1. The goal invigorated the home crowd and provided a much-needed boost to the players as they headed into half-time.
The second half commenced with Greenock HSFP Black looking to build on their momentum, but disaster struck early on when Aaron Smith received a red card in the 50th minute for offensive language, leaving his team to battle with ten men. Despite the setback, Greenock HSFP Black managed to equalise in the 45th minute when Zack Weston found the net with a well-placed shot inside the box, assisted by a precise cross from Jay Kane.
However, Spartinios City responded quickly, regaining the lead in the 65th minute with a goal scored from inside the box, leaving Greenock HSFP Black trailing once more. The home side fought back valiantly, and in the 70th minute, Lyle Buchan converted a penalty to level the score at 3-3, showcasing his composure under pressure.
As the match approached its conclusion, Spartinios City struck again in the 79th minute, scoring their fourth goal from inside the box, which ultimately sealed the fate of Greenock HSFP Black. Despite their best efforts and a spirited performance, the home side could not find an equaliser in the dying moments of the match.
The referee, Kenny Diver, brought the contest to a close after an exhilarating 80 minutes, leaving Greenock HSFP Black to ponder what might have been in a match that showcased both their resilience and the challenges they faced against a determined Spartinios City side.
