Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Port are on the march

Tuesday, 14th October, 2008

Published: Monday, 12th May, 2008 12:00

Port are on the march

By Gary Pews

Print Article

LARKHALL THISTLE 0 PORT GLASGOW 1

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Goal hero: Port Glasgow's Joe Beckley bagged the winner.

PORT Glasgow took a huge stride towards promotion with this crucial win at Larkhall on Saturday.

The Port were without some key players due to Stephen Flynn’s wedding, but the celebrations could be be equally joyous this Saturday.

Three points from tonight’s match at Ravenscraig, followed by another win at home at the weekend, would see them crowned league champions.

If the Port can turn in as solid a performance as they did against Larkhall, they should make it. Joe Beckley was the unlikely goal hero, the big centre-half heading home from a James Best free-kick after just 16 minutes.

As they pushed for a second to make the points secure, the local team were exposed to Larkhall’s counter attacks, but Sean Graham in the Port goal stood firm.

It should have been all over in 59 minutes, when Andy Monaghan had a free header from just six yards out but somehow missed the target. As Larkhall continued to push for the equaliser, tensions rose and there was a flurry of yellow cards. Unfortunately, Port sub Paul McGivern managed to collect two in the space of six minutes and was ordered off near the end.

But there was no further scoring and the loud cheers from the Port faithful at the final whistle told how vital this victory had been.

Goalscorer Beckley was delighted to get the winning strike to add to his only other goal this season, an equally crucial counter against Lanark two weeks ago.

Speaking to the Telegraph just after the match, he said: “We needed that win to keep us in the running for the title.

“If we had got a second goal it would have relaxed us but the team dug deep and were brilliant, though I must admit I was knackered near the end.”

Port officials are urging their fans, and even neutral supporters, to get behind them as they push for the title.

The remaining two games are huge, starting tonight against St. Roch’s at Ravenscraig, kick-off 7.15pm.

l Port Glasgow: Graham, A. Banks, Coyle, Temporal, Beckley, Jack, S. Banks, Taylor, Brown (Kearns 89), Best (McGivern 60), Monaghan (McKay 80). Sub not used: McEwan.

l Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Renfrewshire Electronics and the Senit Group.

Kit for the team is sponsored by Swordfish Signs and Remax Gourock.

Social Bookmarking What are these?