Seven-Goal Thriller at Muddy Greenfield

In conditions better suited for water polo than football, Greater Croftpark Rose (GCR) staged a stunning second-half comeback to edge out Woodbank in a seven-goal epic on Saturday morning. Despite the “wet and miserable” weather at a saturated Greenfield grass park, both sides produced a contest of the highest quality that wasn’t decided until the final moments.

First Half: Woodbank Blow GCR Away

The home side settled into the sludge much faster than their visitors. Aided by a ferocious wind that pinned GCR back into their own half, Woodbank took a deserved lead through a clinical strike by McFall

Woodbank’s dominance was rewarded again under bizarre circumstances. A dangerous, wind-whipped cross caused havoc in the box; the GCR goalkeeper, struggling with the conditions, could only palm the ball onto the back of his own defender, watching in horror as it ricocheted into the net for 2-0.

At this stage, Woodbank were purring. GCR’s Donnelly had a golden opportunity to pull one back, but was denied by a “world-class” save from the Woodbank shot-stopper.

However, just before the whistle, a moment of magic from Hendry changed the momentum. He danced past three defenders before curling a sublime effort into the top corner.

HT: Woodbank 2 – 1 Greater Croftpark Rose

Second Half: The Rose Bloom in the Mud

While GCR ended the first half strongly, Woodbank emerged for the second period sharper and quicker. As the visitors pushed high for an equalizer, they were caught by a textbook counter-attack. Docherty cut inside with precision, beating the keeper from close range to restore the two-goal cushion.

Faced with a 3-1 deficit, Greater Croftpark Rose showed incredible resolve:

• The Comeback Begins: Pressure mounted on the Woodbank backline. A Hendry corner wasn’t cleared, allowing McAloon to pounce on the edge of the box and fire a low drive into the bottom corner.

• The Equalizer: With the wind now at their backs, another Hendry delivery found Sean Kennedy, who rose highest to thunder a header home.

The Grand Finale

With the score locked at 3-3, the game turned into an end-to-end “slugfest.” In the dying minutes, GCR broke away on a lightning counter. Benghellab swung in a pinpoint cross for Wilson, who powered a header into the top corner to send the traveling support into raptures.

The celebrations were briefly hushed during a “scary moment” when goal-hero Wilson suffered a significant head knock in the process.

Though Woodbank threw every man forward in a desperate search for a point, the Rose defense stood tall against the onslaught.

FT: Woodbank 3 – 4 Greater Croftpark Rose