The beauty of the Jim Harvey Cup lies in its ability to pit the establishment against the up-and-comers, and Saturday’s clash at the Firhill Complex provided a perfect snapshot of that divide.

LS Memorial, representing the Conference League, came up against mid table Championship side Greater Croftpark Rose.

The game started off a cagey affair with both teams trying to feel each other out.

This was a home game for Ls Memorial but the visitors GCR play most of their home games at firhill so home advantage would not be a factor in this match.

as the game progressed the conference team started to take control with their high energy and high pressure style

Ls Memorial took the lead after twenty minutes when a ball into the box wasn’t cleared and a shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the back of the net. 1-0 Ls Memorial !!!

In truth Memorial looked like the team more likely to score and on thirty one minutes a speculative effort again took a deflection and bounced off the GCR crossbar.

GCR started to wake up and ten minutes before the break a brilliant run by McAloon saw him square the ball to Hendry who nutmegged the keeper with a cool finish. 1-1 !!!!!

Today’s home team had expended massive amounts of energy in that first 30 minute period and it looked like they were beginning to tire.

With five minutes remaining of the half Cameron Hendry picked the ball up out wide after nice play from Wilson and McAloon, Hendry cut inside and unleashed a thunderbolt past the LS number one. 2-1!!!

GCR finished the stronger team and the half time break came at the right time for the Conference League side.

The second half started off pretty cagey with both teams knowing the next goal in the game would be absolutely crucial.

A bizarre second half stoppage came when a chihuahua ran on the football park and started to enjoy itself before finally being taken off

Both teams did have a couple of efforts at goal but there was nothing really that troubled the opposition goalkeepers.

GCR introduced some fresh legs in a bid to try and gain control of the game. The substitutes included new signing Declan McCafferty.

The away side (playing at home) took the lead when substitutes Donnelly and McCafferty combined for Hendry to curl an unstoppable shot low into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. 3-1 GCR !!!!!

Again the match went back and forward with defenders making great last ditch tackles and final passes being crucially intercepted.

Mark Smith in the GCR midfield was putting in a tremendous performance, He was covering every blade of grass in an effort to break down the LS memorial attacks.

Man of the moment Hendry almost scored another stunner when a long punt by Wilson was superbly controlled and his first time shot was well saved by Hill in the LS goal.

LS scored with around seven minutes to go when a deep cross into the box found the head of the on rushing midfielder who beat Patterson from close range. 3-2 GCR !!!!!

Seven minutes to go and the home side Memorial knew this was their big chance to get a last gasp equaliser.

GCR defended resolutely for the final few minutes with Captain McCoo and Kennedy heading everything clear as Memorial flung the kitchen sink at their opponents.

The final whistle blew moments later and their were Handshakes all round.

FT – Ls Memorial 2 Greater Croftpark Rose 3