Saturday took us to Maryhill where our very own Paddy O’Rumour was in attendance to watch this all GCFA Cup 1st round Scott Cup tie between Greater Croftpark Rose and Port Glasgow Boys Club.
Scottish Cup 🏆.
Paddy O’Rumour on the scene — first Saturday morning outing, and folk were already whispering in my ear. Maryhill, Scottish Cup, Greater Croftpark Rose v Port Glasgow… I was promised drama, and aye, I got it.
GREATER CROFTPARK ROSE V PORT GLASGOW BOYS CLUB
The spoils of the game were shared as Greater Croftpark Rose and Port Glasgow Boys Club played out a 1–1 draw in a closely contested encounter.
The match kicked off with Grey skies above and GCR Playing in blue tops with Red shorts and socks while opponents PGBC wore all black kits.
Both sides had spells of early first half pressure, but neither could find that all important goal to win the match.
GCR had a golden chance to take the lead when Hendry’s pin point cross found McMillan who had his shot saved by the PGBC keeper at point blank range. The rebound fell for Talat who fired over from close range.
The away side did have chances to score but there was nothing that had Patterson worried in the Greater Croftpark Rose goal.
Another chance fell to the home side and it was McMillan who was put in on goal by McAloon but as the striker aimed for his target his legs seemed to give out and he fired a tame shot at the keeper.
The away side responded well, gradually growing more into the game and beginning to test Patterson in the GCR goal
FT – Greater Croftpark Rose 0 Port Glasgow BC 0
The second half saw both teams push to make the breakthrough in this quality match and at this stage in the game it could have been either club as both teams were flinging the kitchen sink at it.
GCR finally broke the deadlock in this pulsating match when some nice play by Hendry and McMillan allowed substitute Benghellab to slot the ball home with an absolutely superb finish. 1-0 GCR !!!!!!!!!
Port Glasgow hit back with a free kick that could grace any highlight reel. Some on the sidelines reckoned the foul was softer than a wet roll, but once the ball left the boot there was no doubting it — top corner, keeper rooted, game level.
A scary moment in the match was here when GCR goalscorer Mo Benghellab was flattened in the middle of the park as the Port Glasgow midfielder attempted to win the ball.
unfortunately for GCR, Their substitute and goalscorer had to leave the park with a head knock and possible concussion.
Benghellab was replaced by striker Ritchie McQuade.
The away side had a great chance to take the lead when a ball to the back post found their energetic substitute who smashed an outside of the foot shot just wide of the post.
GCR had keeper Andrew Patterson to thank when his double save stopped Port Glasgow Boys Club taking the late lead.
In truth Greater Croftpark Rose were hanging on in the final few moments of the match after some enforced substitutions and tactical changes.
With the game in the balance, captain Allan McCoo turned hero, somehow clawing the ball off the line when everyone swore it was already in. The crowd gasped, the bench had heads in hands — but Paddy O’Rumour can confirm, the scoreboard correctly stayed at 1–1.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, as GCR edged tbe first half and PGBC edged the second half.
Both teams certainly showing moments of quality but neither club was able to take full control and do enough to put their name into the draw for the next round of the competition.
bBoth teams will be happy to have another crack at getting themselves into the next round of the Scottish Cup on a week on Saturday.
FT – Greater Croftpark Rose 1 Port Glasgow BC 1
So that’s how it finished — honours even, and plenty still to play for. A replay’s on the cards this weekend, and you can bet Paddy O’Rumour will be hanging around the touchline to witness how this cup tie plays out, ears open for the next whisper.
Footy Focus season 25/26 
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