The clubs had met three times previously in cup competition, with two wins for Port Glasgow and one draw, adding a little extra edge to this latest encounter.

It was a nice sunny but cold day at the Firhill Complex as Greater Croftpark welcomed Port Glasgow BC in the Jim Harvey Cup.

Greater Croftpark started the game really well, getting their foot on the ball early and looking confident in possession.

There was a blow before kick-off for the home side when important centre-back Sean Kennedy was injured during the warm-up, forcing a reshuffle in the defensive line.

There were also two debuts handed out, with new signing Drew Purdy and James McGill both starting for GCR.

First Half

GCR opened the scoring in style. A clever ball from McAloon found McMillan, who showed great awareness to set up Cammy Hendry, and Hendry fired a superb long-range effort that crashed in off the crossbar. 1-0 GCR !!!!!

Hendry almost doubled the lead minutes later when Wilson found him in space, and the attacker again let fly from distance, sending another powerful effort off the crossbar, much to PGBC’s relief. In all honesty, it looked like goalkeeper Coyle may have got a fingertip to the shot.

Port Glasgow fought their way back into the match and grabbed an equaliser from a corner kick. After a dangerous ball was delivered into the box, the ball bobbled around in the area before Kelly reacted quickest to fire home. 1-1 !!!!

GCR were playing some nice football at times, moving the ball well. Some lovely play by Hendry saw him fire a pass wide to McGill. The new signing’s delivery into the box was perfect, but unfortunately big Mo could only volley just wide of the post.

The home side had clearly put a lot into the first half, with McAloon and Wilson covering a tremendous amount of ground in midfield, breaking up play and driving the team forward.

The half-time whistle blew with the scores level. GCR could perhaps feel a little disappointed not to go in ahead, but in truth PGBC had also shown moments of quality and had done well to keep themselves in the game.

Half Time — GCR 1 PGBC 1

Second Half

The second half began much like the first, with GCR slightly more dominant in possession, while PGBC remained resilient and refused to let the home side pull away.

The away side began to put pressure on the GCR wide areas, with Paton taking shots from both sides, but Fleming and Mooney defended unbelievably well, standing firm against the pressure.

Fleming, the winger turned full-back, wasn’t content with simply defending. He found time to maraud forward, running onto a pass from McGill before firing a shot inches wide of the post.

PGBC then had a chance of their own when a clipped ball in behind the defence sent Curran through on goal, but Patterson made an excellent save as the attacker tried to round him.

GCR Retake the Lead

The home side regained the advantage thanks to a superb attacking move. McGill and Hendry were the main architects, with the new signing releasing Hendry down the flank. Hendry then delivered an inch-perfect cross, and McMillan was there at the back post to fire home. 2–1 GCR !!!!!!

The away side tried to respond quickly. A ball played to the back post was struck at goal but ultimately finished high and wide without troubling Patterson.

PGBC continued to knock at the door, but McKenzie was having a superb game in the GCR defence, keeping the opposition attackers fairly quiet with a series of strong challenges and clearances.

Late Drama

GCR were then forced into a substitution when Benghellab had to come off after running himself into the ground for the good of the team. Jordan Gray was introduced in his place.

Soon after, Fleming played McGill through on goal, but opposition goalkeeper Coyle made a sensational save to keep PGBC in the contest.

As often happens in big cup ties, missing a big chance can come back to haunt you, and that proved to be the case here. Another corner kick caused problems in the GCR box, and McPhee found himself free at the back post to knock the ball home. 2–2 with twelve minutes to go.

A Dramatic Winner

The game then became end-to-end, with both teams pushing hard for a winner.

PGBC had another half chance but fired over the bar, while at the other end McGill crossed for McMillan, though the ball couldn’t quite be turned home.

With the clock ticking down, McGill produced a tremendous long pass to find Jordan Gray. Gray showed great composure, driving his shot in at the near post past the goalkeeper to restore GCR’s lead. 3–2 GCR!!!!!

Closing the Game Out

Kennedy returned to the field to help shore things up defensively, while McMillan left the pitch exhausted after putting in a tremendous shift leading the line.

PGBC threw everything forward in search of another equaliser, but the GCR defensive unit of Fleming, Purdy, McKenzie and Mooney stood strong, winning their duels and clearing their lines, with Kennedy providing extra protection in front of them.

The final few moments ticked away, and eventually the referee brought this crazy and entertaining cup tie to an end.

Full Time – GCR 3 – 2 PGBC

In the end, Jordan Gray’s late strike proved to be the difference, sealing a memorable victory for GCR in what was an entertaining five-goal battle at the Firhill Complex.

Credit must also go to Port Glasgow BC, who made it a fiercely competitive contest right until the final moments.

For Greater Croftpark, it’s a big win in the Jim Harvey Cup, and a performance that showed the team’s spirit, resilience and ability to deliver when the pressure is on.