Five goal thriller ends with delight and despair but which team has the delight and which team has the despair.

Bookies favourites Rosebank will be desperate to make up for their opening day slip up against Cathcart on the opening day of the season.

MATCH REPORT

Greater Croftpark Rose travelled through to Kirkintilloch to face last season’s surprise package Rosebank United.

The stakes were high going into this game with Rosebank United knowing nothing less than a win would be good enough to take them into the Boca Championship.

The first few minutes of the match was a bit of a feeling out process with both clubs trying to get on the ball and be the dominant team,

Rosebank took an early when a long throw in into the box caused chaos in the GCR penalty box and the ball was head flicked beyond the stranded Greater Croftpark number one Andrew Patterson. 1-0 Rosebank !!!!!!

Greater Croftpark Rose tried to fight their way back into the game but the Rosebank defence remained strong and GCR couldn’t find a way through.

Rosebank United couldn’t stop what happened next when Talat made a mazy run and set up McAloon for a shot from distance, McAloon struck the ball first time from almost 40 yards and the ball arrowed straight into the top corner. 1-1 !!!!!!!!

A controversial moment would be upon us next as ball into the Rosebank bobbled about before McMillan struck the ball towards goal. the ball hit the bar and bounced in and around the goal line. Massive claims could be heard from multiple players but the match official remained confident in his decision to not award the goal.

GCR had really got themselves back into this match and this time good link up between Donnelly and McMillan led to Fleming finding space, unfortunately for the attacker his shot finished just wide of the post.

The in form Gary McAloon was beginning to get his foot on the ball, His mazy run led to him slipping in Talat but the little wingers shot never really troubled the Rosebank keeper.

Greater Croftpark Rose did take the lead when some nice play down the left led to Fleming crossing into the box, Mcmillan cleverly let the ball run through his legs and Ross Campbell ran onto the ball and chipped the ball over the helpess Rosebank number one. 2-1 GCR !!!!!

GCR had taken control of the match and Fleming and Talat linked up well for the latter to tee up McMillan for a shot at goal. The shot finished just over the cross bar.

Stevenson was not happy with his team and he hooked off one of his midfielders on the 34 minute mark.

The away side won a free kick 35 yards from goal. McAloon delivered to the back post for McCoo to head home from close range to send the GCR bench wild. 3-1 GCR !!!!!!!!

Greater had the chance to wrap things up when another great delivery into the box by McAloon found McCoo again but his header was well saved by the keeper.

HALF TIME – ROSEBANK UNITED 1 GREATER CROFTPARK ROSE 3

Rosebank must have got a rollicking from their manager as they came out for the 2nd half with a new found determination.

The home side were beginning to go direct and Logan and Mooney at the back for GCR were mopping everything up.

With Rosebank staring to get on top and fling cross after cross into the box the away side decided to introduce Sean Kennedy into defence after being out for almost a year.

Rosebank then tried their luck from distance but Patterson in the GCR goal made a routine save.

Substitute Ben McKenzie showed great feet in the middle of the park earning himself some space before striking the ball at goal from around 25 yards, The shot had the keeper scrambling but clipped the top side of the crossbar.

Rosebank did pull one back when a the scored direct from a free kick around 28 yards from goal. 3-2 !!!!!!!

The Kirky team had certainly put some second half pressure on their opponents and with a game less than 48 hours ago Burns introduced Gray and Simpson into the match.

Gray is another player just back from injury but his willingness to work hard is infectious, A few minutes after he came on he made crunching but fair tackle which helped stop a potential counter attack.

McQuade who came on for GCR certainly made an impression and his hard work forced Rosebank into a mistake at the back leading to a penalty.

After some gamesmanship by the Rosebank keeper delaying the penalty kick by a minute or so McQuade stepped up and fired his penalty high over the bar.

Almost immediately after McQuade’s penalty miss the referee blew for full time.

FULL TIME – ROSEBANK UNITED 2 GREATER CROFTPARK ROSE 3

MANAGERS THOUGHTS

We caught with Scott Burns after the game and he had this to say ⬇️

Going into today’s important game was difficult after having a very tough game against Cathcart less than 48 hours ago.

The group stuck together and walked away with a very valuable three points to top the group.

The spirit of the team has been excellent during this first week of the new season, lets hope we can keep it that way as we have some big games coming up.

ROVING REPORTERS FINAL THOUGHTS